Review of Prince of the City (1981) by Byron B — 26 Dec 2008

[font=Century Gothic]In "Prince of the City," detective Danny Ciello(Treat Williams) is the youngest member and leader of the Special Investigative Unit(SIU), an elite detective squad without supervision in New York City designated to fight the illegal drug trade. While they make huge, newsworthy busts, it can also involve scrounging drugs for informants. In the midst of this, Danny is contacted by Rick Cappalino(Norman Parker) of the Chase Comission investigating police corruption. Danny agrees to go undercover on condition that none of his partners are targeted...[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]From his first movie "Twelve Angry Men," director Sidney Lumet's favorite subject has been the criminal justice system and the flaws therein. "Prince of the City" is no exception as it is a gritty, complex and layered look at the day to day life of an undercover policeman, living almost entirely in the shadows. Danny has reason to fear not only from the criminal element but also his fellow policemen whose fraternal code he is in danger of breaking. Above him sit the district attorneys prosecuting the cases who are unfamiliar with the city and who view the streets in terms of black and white, making it much easier for them to sit in judgment. At the end of the day, who is truly left with their honor intact? [/font].