Bon Cop Bad Cop
When the body of the executive of hockey Benoit Brisset is found on the billboard of the border of Quebec and Ontario, the jurisdiction of the crime is shared between the two police forces and detectives David Bouchard from Montreal and Martin Ward from Toronto are assigned to work together. With totally different styles, attitudes and languages, the reckless David and the ethical Martin join force to disclose the identity of the Tattoo Killer, a deranged serial-killer that is killing managers of hockey.
Working with a tight budget of $8.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $12.7M in global revenue (+58% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Bon Cop Bad Cop (2006) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Érik Canuel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Martin Ward
David Bouchard
Tatiana
Harry Buttman
L'Assassin
Main Cast & Characters
Martin Ward
Played by Colm Feore
An uptight, by-the-book Ontario detective from the OPP who is forced to work with his opposite number from Quebec to solve a cross-border murder case.
David Bouchard
Played by Patrick Huard
A loose-cannon, rule-bending Quebec detective from the SQ who partners with Ward. Passionate, impulsive, and deeply connected to his French-Canadian identity.
Tatiana
Played by Lucie Laurier
A seductive and mysterious woman involved in the hockey executive murders. Serves as a romantic complication and key to the conspiracy.
Harry Buttman
Played by Rick Mercer
A wealthy, corrupt hockey league executive who becomes central to the murder investigation. Represents corporate greed in Canadian hockey.
L'Assassin
Played by Michel Beaudry
The mysterious hockey-obsessed killer targeting executives. Driven by a twisted sense of justice for Canadian hockey.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ontario detective Martin Ward is shown as a by-the-book, uptight anglophone cop living an orderly life. Quebec detective David Bouchard is established as a loose-cannon francophone with a more cavalier approach to police work.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A body is discovered strung up on the sign marking the Ontario-Quebec border - literally split between both jurisdictions. This jurisdictional nightmare forces the two rival detectives to work together on the same case.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ward and Bouchard make the active choice to commit to the partnership and pursue the case together. They agree to combine their approaches and resources, officially entering the buddy cop "new world" of collaboration., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Major breakthrough in the case as they identify the conspiracy involving hockey executives. The partners are bonding well, but this apparent success raises the stakes - the criminals become aware they're being pursued., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All seems lost - the partners are pulled from the case by their superiors, or a loved one is endangered, or they have a major falling out. The whiff of death: their partnership "dies" or someone close faces mortal danger., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Ward and Bouchard reunite with new understanding. They combine Ward's methodical planning with Bouchard's instinctive action. Armed with final piece of evidence or insight, they commit to the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bon Cop Bad Cop's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Bon Cop Bad Cop against these established plot points, we can identify how Érik Canuel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bon Cop Bad Cop within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ontario detective Martin Ward is shown as a by-the-book, uptight anglophone cop living an orderly life. Quebec detective David Bouchard is established as a loose-cannon francophone with a more cavalier approach to police work.
Theme
Early dialogue establishes the theme of cultural division versus cooperation: "We're not so different, you and I" - foreshadowing that these two opposing forces must learn to work together despite language and cultural barriers.
Worldbuilding
Setup of the two detectives' contrasting worlds, personalities, and policing styles. Ward's structured Ontario approach versus Bouchard's instinctive Quebec methods. Their separate lives before being forced together.
Disruption
A body is discovered strung up on the sign marking the Ontario-Quebec border - literally split between both jurisdictions. This jurisdictional nightmare forces the two rival detectives to work together on the same case.
Resistance
Ward and Bouchard resist partnership, clash over methods and language, debate who should lead. Both detectives struggle with the forced cooperation while investigating initial leads in the hockey executive murder case.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ward and Bouchard make the active choice to commit to the partnership and pursue the case together. They agree to combine their approaches and resources, officially entering the buddy cop "new world" of collaboration.
Mirror World
Introduction of family/personal relationships that will carry the thematic weight. Ward's daughter and Bouchard's ex-wife/family life show what's at stake beyond the case - the human connections that transcend cultural barriers.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the buddy cop premise - linguistic misunderstandings, cultural clashes, contrasting investigation styles. Following leads through hockey world corruption while building grudging respect and comedic chemistry.
Midpoint
False victory: Major breakthrough in the case as they identify the conspiracy involving hockey executives. The partners are bonding well, but this apparent success raises the stakes - the criminals become aware they're being pursued.
Opposition
The villains strike back. Threats escalate, putting families in danger. The case becomes more complex and dangerous. Ward and Bouchard's partnership is tested as pressure mounts and their different approaches create friction again.
Collapse
All seems lost - the partners are pulled from the case by their superiors, or a loved one is endangered, or they have a major falling out. The whiff of death: their partnership "dies" or someone close faces mortal danger.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul where Ward and Bouchard separately reflect on what they've learned from each other. Processing the loss/separation and realizing that their partnership and cultural cooperation is more important than their differences.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: Ward and Bouchard reunite with new understanding. They combine Ward's methodical planning with Bouchard's instinctive action. Armed with final piece of evidence or insight, they commit to the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with the villains. Ward and Bouchard execute their plan using both Ontario precision and Quebec improvisation. Action-comedy climax that resolves the conspiracy and demonstrates their transformed partnership.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors opening but shows transformation: Ward and Bouchard, once divided by the border, now stand together as partners and friends. Cultural barriers dissolved, speaking each other's language literally and figuratively.