Review of Prince of the City (1981) by Danny R — 25 Jul 2015

Sidney Lumet's fascinating, emotionally powerful crime drama which is based upon a true story, concerning a young undercover narcotics cop named Daniel Ciello, played marvelously by Treat Williams in the performance of his career, who decides to reveal the corruption within his elite unit.

This taut excellently crafted film constitutes a social drama about the law, the lawless and the raging forces at work in New York City. "Prince" is a complex detailed look at the process by which one man who starts out to redeem himself by revealing some truths, and the moral dilemma that he faces as an informant, who fines himself more a victim than a hero as he is drawn step-by-step into giving information about his police partners that would ultimately destroy them.

Astute direction by Sidney Lumet, with stupendous character portrayals by a game cast that includes Richard Forony, Don Billett, Kenny Marino, Carmine Caridi, Tony Page, Bob Balaban, Paul Roebling, James Tolkan, Lindsay Crouse, Ronald Maccone, Ron Karabatso, Tony DiBenedetto, Tony Munafo, and Robert Christian, with the late great Jerry Orbach a standout as Gus Levy, a tough, no-nonsense detective who was Ciello best friend before he turned into an informant.

Painstakingly detailed, with excellent use of New York locations, beautifully photographed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, with superb editing by Jack Fitzstephens. A complex, engrossing motion picture by the late great American master filmmaker/director Sidney Lumet.

Winner of the New York Film Circle Award, Best Director: Sidney Lumet. Golden Globe Awards nominations, Best Picture, Best Director: Sidney Lumet, Best Actor: Treat Williams. Academy Awards nominations: Best Adapted Screenplay: Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet.

Highly Recommended.