Writers: Michael Diliberti and JJ Nelson
Director: Michael Diliberti
Despite lurching from Tarantino swagger to Police Academy slapstick, Bad Man isn’t that bad at all. With a winning performance by Johnny Simmons as the lazy and beleaguered policeman Sam Evans, and a script that occasionally sizzles, Michael Diliberti’s comedy-action film is worth seeking out on streaming services.
Sam Evans isn’t the best policeman, but there’s nothing for him to do in the quiet neighbourhood of Colt Lake, Tennessee, where the only criminal appears to man obsessed with “jerking off in his Buick”. However, the news of the recent murder of a city-slicker, an anomaly in the Republican God-fearing town, has got everyone talking, but Sam, along with his partner DJ (a very likeable Chance Perdomo, who sadly died last year), hasn’t chased up many leads to arrest the killers. And anyway, Sam is more interested in reigniting his relationship with the mayor’s daughter, and DJ would rather be a postman.
But Sam’s easy life in law enforcement comes to a halt when state policeman Bobby Gaines (Seann William Scott) arrives on the scene to take charge of the investigation. Bobby is everything Sam isn’t: driven, confident, and he comes ready-made with a taste for adventure. He’s hard in every way, claiming that Jesus was with him when he fought in Iraq. He’s suave and sexy, while Sam and his hopeless colleagues are dressed like “Ghostbusters on a camping trip”. Only Sam’s boss, Chief Sandy (a funny and delusional Rob Riggle), warms to Bobby, inviting him to partake in the group huddle that is accompanied by a prayer.
Of course, the bad man of the title is Bobby, rather than one of the killers of the city-slicker. Bobby takes matters into his own hands when the masturbating pervert is spotted again and kicks him where it hurts. His unorthodox approach and his willingness to break the law have the female residents in the town fawning over him. Sam slowly realises where he’s going wrong.
The story, apparently based on a real event, leads Sam and Bobby into the world of meth. As Bobby says, Colt Lake’s residents may not find Jesus, but they will be sure to find crystal. Anticipate botched stake-outs and mistimed police raids. Diliberti may not have the budget for high-octane stunts and thrilling shoot-outs; nevertheless, Bad Man is still tightly plotted and often hilarious.
Bad Man will be available on Digital Download from 22nd September
