COP CAR is a movie that hits on so many levels, and it's not afraid to cross boundaries or allow its audience to have to think for themselves. The story surrounds two boys who come upon a police vehicle way out in the middle of the country that's seemingly abandoned.

 

It's established at the very beginning that Travis, played by James Freedson-Jackson, is the knowledgeable one about adult situations, teaching Harrison, played by Hays Wellford, a series of swear words as they walk out from their suburban home in a small town to just hang out for an afternoon. A bit scared by the sudden appearance of this unmanned police vehicle, Travis dares Harrison to not only get inside the car, but to actually drive off in it, excited by the concept of commandeering an adult authority vehicle.

 

What the boys don't know, which is revealed in a cleverly subtle flashback, is that the car belongs to the local Sheriff Kretzer, played by Kevin Bacon in an intricately cunning role. Moments before, the sheriff was just burying a body he had in his trunk, and upon returning to the car, finds that it has disappeared. Tracking down that car and the boys who have inadvertently and unknowingly stumbled onto a crime becomes the main body of the story and the film, with Kretzer cleverly attempting to manipulate other law enforcement employers to stay clear of the situation until he can put it right. There's certainly more going on that we don't learn until the middle of the movie, but I won't reveal it here.

 

The boys are at times intelligent enough to know what they're doing, yet almost comedically inept in their continually heightened sense of discovery with what's inside that police car, and this is where the film crosses lines that I was very surprised at, yet isn't inappropriately portrayed or bandied about. There's also a level of violence involving these youths that I was also amazed at, but again, in a very refreshing manner.

 

This movie contains a very simple story that is never fully explained; yet it doesn't need to be. It's a mystery that might have some thinking of STAND BY ME, yet goes way beyond it with lethal intent and depiction. Essentially you could call it 'the little film that could', because COP CAR has more going for it in a pint-sized production than most mid to large sized pictures this year.

 

The writing is smart without requiring a PC safety net, and the role of Sheriff Kretzer is certainly one of Kevin Bacon's very best performances to date; matched with a very small cast of talented actors, young and old. The editing and music have a unique edge, helping to whisk us towards the possibility that absolutely anything might happen.

 

COP CAR is very smart filmmaking, and directing newcomer Jon Watts really shows us what he can do with a very small budget and electric script, co-written with Christopher Ford. Amidst all the usual bombast of superhero movies exploding across summer screens, this film makes an indelible mark that should be taken notice of.