Review of Serpico (1973) by Nate A — 07 May 2008
Al Pacino's acting combined with Lumet's feel for the New York streets mesh quite effectively in this '70s critique of institutional corruption. Rather than a standard police procedural, 'Serpico' resonates with the hippy radicalism that viewed 'The System' as hopelessly corrupt, as evidenced by Pacino's extremely hippy-ish appearance.
The direction isn't amazing but it's functional. The strength lies in the narrative and Pacino's performance. Lumet's direction has a kind of gritty realism that one would see in Scorsese's movies, though rather less aestheticised. A quite powerful interrogation of the corruption that pervades the American legal system.
This review of Serpico (1973) was written by Nate A on 07 May 2008.
Serpico has generally received very positive reviews.
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