Film Review: Task Force: Caviar (2000)

Canadian film makers are, for variety of reasons, able to do better job than their American colleagues even when the job involves standard material. An example can be found in Task Force: Caviar, 2000 television film directed by Richard Ciupka. The plot, apparently inspired by real events, begins in Montreal. Brian Hogan (played by Alex Carter) is a policeman who dedicated his life to bringing down drug dealers and their bosses. He had a lot of success in it, but after one major drug bust he is informed by his American colleagues about mysterious drug lord that is importing large quantities of drugs into Canada without any difficulties. Having nothing other than his nickname as a lead, he begins investigation and soon faces misunderstanding of his superiors, lack of budget and his own marriage falling apart. Hogan’s efforts finally begin to pay off and, more importantly, get attention from other Quebeq Provincial Police, RCMP and prosecutors. Hogan is brought into task force which aims to bring down dealer named Prince (played by Patrick Goyette). His temperament and desire to smash international smuggling ring as soon as possible, however, brings him in conflict with his colleagues and superiors that insist on strict limits of jurisdiction, adherence to regulation and “higher political interests”. To make things even worse, Prince realised that police is on his tail so he prepares a nasty surprise for Hogan.

Like most American television films inspired or based on real crimes, Task Force: Caviar is less of a thriller and more of a drama. However, the difference is that director Ciupka and his screenwriter Wayne Grigsby are less concerned with private problems of the protagonists and more with the circumstances in which police in modern globalised world have to deal with major drug smugglers, which makes Task Force: Caviar a little bit like Soderbergh’s Traffic. The authors try to show that the major criminals are always one step ahead of people who are after them because they don’t have to worry about borders, jurisdictions or civil rights. This message is questionable because it implies that the solution of this problem is global Orwellian police superstate, which is something that wouldn’t sit well among large segments of audience, especially these days. To make things worse, Ciupka and Grigsby try a little too hard to present it, usually at the expense of smooth plot. Thankfully, Task Force: Caviar has easily digestible running time of hour and half, so those flaws aren’t too annoying and audience without too much expectations won’t be displeased. Fans of Homicide: Life on the Street would probably appreciate appearance of Clark Johnson in the role of DEA agent.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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