Ray Liotta has done nothing of any note since GoodFellas, Jason Patric’s erratic career is marred by the odd disastrous effort like Speed 2, and director Joe Carnahan’s last effort, an appalling sub-Tarantino caper entitled Blood Guts Bullets and Octane, is one of the least-regarded films ever made. Bizarrely, their collaboration here on Narc results in one of the most energised, hard-edged and pulse-raising cop thrillers in years.

Former undercover narc Nick Tellis (Patric), returns to service after a layoff to investigate the murder of a fellow officer, and is teamed up with extremely volatile Lt. Henry Oak (Liotta). Liotta’s performance, after so long in the shade, is a phenomenally enjoyable treat, a simmering volcano of scarcely-controlled anger, mixed with a curious inscrutability and the dodgiest-looking beard this side of, well, Jason Patric.

The latter, frequently excellent away from more mainstream projects, hits a probable career high, and the sparring between the pair offers plenty to savour. Interrogation scenes of Spanish Inquisition severity provide the light entertainment in a staggeringly bleak and brutal (if generic and utterly preposterous) outing, which careers towards a ridiculous but suitably hair-raising conclusion at near-breakneck pace without pausing for breath.

Neither of the lead weirdos are likely to land an Oscar nomination, but it wouldn’t be entirely out of place in either case, and as a Battle of the Beards, nothing like this has been seen since Viking times.

A notable triumph.