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Colin Farrell has explained why he’s not a fan of the film version of Miami Vice, which he starred in.
Farrell appeared alongside Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann’s movie adaptation of the hit 1980s TV show – but after watching the end product, he was left unimpressed.
According to Farrell, the film, which had a more serious tone than the TV show, failed to capture his offscreen camaraderie with Foxx, which the Irish star compared to buddy cop film Lethal Weapon.
“Miami Vice got slapped around a bit,” Farrell told The Independent.
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The actor in ‘Miami Vice’, which received middling reviews at the time of release, but has since generated a cult following (Universal Pictures)
When he was reminded that he criticised the film himself in 2010, just four years after its original release, Farrell said: “I had a certain banter with Jamie off camera that I know the tone of the film wouldn’t have allowed that degree of banter. I would have loved to have just a little bit more of the banter.
“It was never gonna be Lethal Weapon, but just a little bit more of the banter that we had.”
He continued: “That was my biggest misgiving with the film. But I have very little objectivity about the things that I do. I heard from someone that people like it now.”
The film received middling reviews at the time of release, but has since generated a cult following.
In 2010, Farrell said he didn’t like Miami Vice, telling the Belfast Telegraph: “I thought it was style over substance and I accept a good bit of the responsibility.”
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Farrell and Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann’s ‘Miami Vice’ (Universal Pictures)
Another project Farrell would like to be reappraised is True Detective season two, which was savaged by critics upon its premiere in 2015. The show followed a hugely acclaimed debut season starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.
“It got battered,” he told The Independent, calling it “one of the kicks on the arse” he’s experienced in his career.
“I was a bit sad with True Detective because I really did have a great experience playing, what was the character’s name? Ray Velcoro. Loved that character. Loved, loved, loved playing Ray. He was an animal, but he was a decent man that did a lot of despicable s***.”
Farrell, who starred in the series with Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn and Kelly Reilly, added: “It was twisty and bent and all over the place. It wasn’t as linear as the wonderful subsequent seasons and the season that came before. [Series creator] Nic Pizzolatto is an extraordinary writer.”
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The star ‘loved’ starring in critically maligned ‘True Detective’ season two (HBO)
Speaking about the show’s disappointing response, Farrell said: “You take it on the chin. You just lick your wounds. It’s really about the doing it.”
The actor’s latest film Ballad of a Small Player is available to stream on Netflix now. Watch the full interview with Farrell above.
