RAG AND BONE
US, 1998, 90 minutes, Colour.
Dean Cain, Robert Patrick, Carroll Baker, Richard Bradford, Kelly Rowan, Stan Shaw.
Directed by Robert Liebermann.
Rag and Bone is, on the surface, a conventional film about police work in New Orleans. However, it is different insofar as the central officer is a former priest, played by Dean Cain. No reasons are given for his leaving the priesthood. However, he is an earnest policeman who shoots a suspect who draws on him and the gun is lost in the river. He faces disciplinary charges. There is a further complication insofar as a ghostly corrupt policeman keeps appearing during the film. He is played by Robert Patrick. Carroll Baker plays a sympathetic nun, Dean Cain’s aunt.
Another film with a police officer being a former priest is the Jack Reed series with Brian Dennehy. It is interesting that Hollywood made these connections for television movies. There is no particular depth of understanding, but these films represent events and the choices that former priests in the United States made.
The film is based on a story by Anne Rice (Interview With a Vampire etc).
1. Entertaining police thriller? The focus on the police officer, his work, conscience?
2. The ghostly atmosphere of the film, the appearances of Sergeant Daniel Ryan, eerie, on the wharf, in the church, at home, in the building?
3. The New Orleans setting, the city itself, the river, the pier, the police precincts, the church? Homes? An authentic atmosphere?
4. Anne Rice as the author of the story, her New Orleans background, her particular interests – with the touch of the supernatural? The credibility of the ghost’s story? The meaning of the title?
5. The focus on Tony Moran, as a former priest, his pursuing the criminal, the shooting, his being asked for absolution and his giving it? Richie and his support, the police investigation? The absence of the gun? His going to the home of the deceased, the father’s rejection, the mother’s straight talking – and the later discovery of the gun, that it witness was the father’s, his apology? His standing down, his going to the old home? His relationship with his aunt, talking with her, her support? His sister? A home, seeing the ghost? The puzzle about the ghost, seeing him in the church? Finding out about him from his father, his aunt? The final confrontation – and the discussion about each finding their own road to redemption? Sergeant Ryan and his corruption, the murder, his attempt to find his redemption through Tony Moran?
6. The police situations, pursuit of criminals, shooting? The memories of the past, corruption, pay-offs, Washington investigations, murders?
7. Tony’s father, his hard attitude towards his son and leaving the priesthood? Their discussions, his ultimate support, explaining Daniel Ryan?
8. Sister Marie, a sympathetic character, her work, her living alone in the apartment, helping out with Tony’s house-moving? The discussions, the flashbacks and her relationship with Daniel Ryan? His death, becoming a nun? Her talk about paths to redemption?
9. The police personnel, Richie and his friendship with Tony, support of him? The authorities?
10. The background of the projects, Sister Marie’s work there, their being pulled down, moneymaking tycoons, public relations? Council meetings, votes? The protests? The moving of black families? Karen Toms, her family, her past relationship with Tony, their discussions? The murder of the black man in the cemetery in the car? His relationship with Karen? The blackmail, the tapes, the criminals and their hold over Karen for her vote? Tony’s pursuit of the criminal, the shoot-out?
11. The combination of personal drama, ghost story, police story, social corruption?
