Review of Serpico (1973) by Aaron N — 10 Aug 2009

Tom Keough: Now I ain't sayin' who. They just said ya'... ya' couldn't be trusted, you know?

Frank Serpico: 'Cause I don't take money, right?

Tom Keough: Frank, let's face it. Who can trust a cop who don't take money?

A well made cop drama from director Sidney Lumet. Pacino is very good in the lead as a cop who goes through great lengths to stay honest to himself, as well as dealing with an ever changing wardrobe and hairstyles. Its a solid drama without any major action scenes to cheat the tone of the film.

Pacino stars as Frank Serpico, first entering the film tragically, as he is carted into the ER with a gunshot wound to the face. Jumping back in time, we see Serpico as he first joins the force. During Serpico's time, as he slowly moves up the ladder, he is witness to a number of his fellow officers skimming off the top through criminal shake downs and bribes. Serpico will have none of this, even when offered, making the other guys nervous to befriend him. It doesn't help that Serpico chooses to work as an undercover cop, embracing the counterculture scene, letting his hair and bear grow long and looking generally shaggy throughout.

Eventually, as Serpico becomes more and more fed up with corruption, he takes it upon himself to try and get the word out to the higher up officials that there are problems within the force. However, Serpico has a lot of red tape to get through if he wants to see any sort of action get taken.

Gun shop owner: That gun takes a 14 shot clip. You expecting an army?

Frank Serpico: No. Just a division.

It's 70s Pacino, so of course he's very good here. The role is played very straight, with mild outbursts every so often, but the way he conveys his stress is appropriate and effective. I have to comment once again on his wardrobe in this film. I have no problem with it, but I was amused with the amount of different clothing he had for this film.

Lumet's direction is solid here. Nothing over flashy in anyway. I was actually reminded of the docu-style that the French Connection had, although this film wasn't nearly as gritty. Still, the huge variety of locations in New York managed to give a good, authentic feel to the film, as well as the limited use of scoring.

Overall a finely made film. Not necessarily one that I feel had many memorable moments in, but a quality performance from Pacino always makes a film watchable.

Frank Serpico: I'm a marked man in this department. For what?

District Attorney Tauber: I've already arranged a transfer for ya'.

Frank Serpico: To where? China?