Serpico (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Serpico' (directed by Sidney Lumet) is a 1973 based-on-a-true-story drama about corruption in the NY Police Department btwn. the years 1960-72; it stars 33 yr. old Al Pacino in a searing performance as titular city cop, Frank Serpico. Right at the top of the film, Serpico is seen being rushed to the hospital, having been shot in the face and, Chief Green (John Randolph) fears he was shot by another cop. The rest of the movie unfolds in flashback; showing him as an inexperienced cop who eventually does undercover to bust drug dealers, pushers & other varied criminals {his hippie look & vibe works in his favor while undercover}.
To that, he would also suffer ridicule from other cops who refused to work with him. When Serpico refuses to accept bribes - as many officers do - disgusted, he tells on them to his superiors; even going to New York Times reporter David Burnham to provide names, dates & places of the police corruption. And this information prompts Mayor Lindsay to appoint the Knapp Commission to investigate these charges. But by going against his police buddies - or who he thought were his buddies - Serpico finds himself in mortal danger from those in closest proximity to him; especially after he takes the stand on a grand jury investigation. Drama ensues.
Thanks largely to Al Pacino's powerhouse portrayal, this film packs a powerful, propulsive punch. The uncompromising action {akin to 1971's The French Connection} is driven by a gripping blend of taut emotional drama, fleet scene changes & sharp social commentary. Pacino is just superb as the honest, impartial do-gooder just trying to be an honest cop in a sea of sharks. After witnessing cops using drugs, committing brutal acts of violence & taking those payoffs, Frank becoming a whistle blower turns his life around. Some viewers might prefer Pacino in Michael Corleone {a la The Godfather} type roles, but I quite liked his heroic pivot, here.
Pacino is well-supported by the likes of John Randolph, M. Emmet Walsh, F. Murray Abraham, Jack Kehoe, Tony LoBianco & Judd Hirsch in supporting roles. Also excellent is Waldo Salt & Norman Wexler's Academy Award-nominated script, which is based on Peter Maas' best-seller. And Mikis Theodorakis' music score received accolades, as well. With a powerful story of establishment corruption, astute direction from Lumet, stellar acting & absorbing action, it is easy to see why 'Serpico' did well with critics & audiences alike.
To that, he would also suffer ridicule from other cops who refused to work with him. When Serpico refuses to accept bribes - as many officers do - disgusted, he tells on them to his superiors; even going to New York Times reporter David Burnham to provide names, dates & places of the police corruption. And this information prompts Mayor Lindsay to appoint the Knapp Commission to investigate these charges. But by going against his police buddies - or who he thought were his buddies - Serpico finds himself in mortal danger from those in closest proximity to him; especially after he takes the stand on a grand jury investigation. Drama ensues.
Thanks largely to Al Pacino's powerhouse portrayal, this film packs a powerful, propulsive punch. The uncompromising action {akin to 1971's The French Connection} is driven by a gripping blend of taut emotional drama, fleet scene changes & sharp social commentary. Pacino is just superb as the honest, impartial do-gooder just trying to be an honest cop in a sea of sharks. After witnessing cops using drugs, committing brutal acts of violence & taking those payoffs, Frank becoming a whistle blower turns his life around. Some viewers might prefer Pacino in Michael Corleone {a la The Godfather} type roles, but I quite liked his heroic pivot, here.
Pacino is well-supported by the likes of John Randolph, M. Emmet Walsh, F. Murray Abraham, Jack Kehoe, Tony LoBianco & Judd Hirsch in supporting roles. Also excellent is Waldo Salt & Norman Wexler's Academy Award-nominated script, which is based on Peter Maas' best-seller. And Mikis Theodorakis' music score received accolades, as well. With a powerful story of establishment corruption, astute direction from Lumet, stellar acting & absorbing action, it is easy to see why 'Serpico' did well with critics & audiences alike.