The good cop, bad cop formula is hardly a new thing, yet it has often provided some thoroughly entertaining films over the years. If done well, the results can be spectacular; however, if not, the film can be difficult to sit through. Bad Man stars Seann William Scott and walks a fine line, slipping into average territory, yet it manages to provide enough entertainment to warrant its existence.
In Colt Lake, Tennessee, Sam Evans (Johnny Simmons) tackles a meth epidemic. He is side-lined on the arrival of Bobby Gaines (Seann William Scott), an undercover agent. Despite Evans' local ties, Gaines is hailed as a hero. Suspicions arise concerning Gaines, which unravels a complex narrative.
If you're expecting to see a cop movie where Seann William Scott turns up to a new town as a cop but playing it like Stifler from American Pie, you're going to be disappointed. This is an action comedy that plays on the idea of small-town police not putting enough effort into their job, only for the arrival of a jumped-up undercover agent to kick them into gear. The interactions between Bobby Gaines, Sam Evans, and DJ (Sam's partner) are a highlight as Gaines badass approach is an inspiration to DJ, yet a hindrance to Evans. The conflict that arises from Evans' suspicions of Gaines is what really drives the film forward - the true nature of Gaines' intentions coming to light in the film's conclusion.
The reveal does actually fall a little flat though, and really makes you think gun laws are so loose in America, that just about anyone can turn up and pretend to be a police officer. The idea of why Gaines has been assigned to the town has the potential to be an interesting aspect of the narrative, but they certainly wasted an opportunity by doing something so generic with it. The film often feels as if it is torn between being an all-out comedy or a darker action film, making for an uneven ride throughout. Yes, it's fun to watch, but it's just instantly forgettable.
The performances do a lot of heavy lifting here, Seann William Scott being the main draw, but not even the best on show. That title belongs to Johnny Simmons as Sam Evans, whose conflicted performance offers the most interesting hook to the narrative. Evans feels like he's the cop the town needs, but the limelight being stolen by Gaines brings out the jealous nature, which Simmons excels at. Seann William Scott is always watchable, particularly in his later career outside of Stifler, and it's another solid performance from him, full of swagger and bravado.
Bad Man is a film that fits the phrase "Here for a good time, not a long time" as it laughs and jokes its way to an underwhelming conclusion. Easy to have a good time with but hard to imagine it lasting long in the memory of anyone.
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