Review of Serpico (1973) by Jennifer A — 26 Nov 2009

Serpico isn't your typical cop movie.

Serpico (1973) - 8.1/10.

Director - Sidney Lumet.

Starring - Al Pacino, Tony Roberts, Jack Kehoe, Cornelia Sharpe, M. Emmett Walsh, Barbara Eda-Young, Biff McGuire.

Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) is anything but a typical cop. On one hand he's got one foot planted firmly in the counter-culture with his long har and love beads. On the other hand he's an honest, highly dedicated cop on a force overrun by corruption. When Serpico tries to blow the whistle, the two worlds collide in this highly provocative drama based on a true story.

Although "The Godfather" was the film that brought Al Pacino mass appeal and critical acclaim, his role in "Serpico" let the world know that he could carry a film all by himself. Frank Serpico was a complex character and a livewire and Pacino fully embodied this character in every imaginable way. This is especially impressive since he is cast with mostly unknown actors and he's in virtually every scene. His anger and paranoia is downright frightening as he fights the system and fears for his own life.

The direction by Sidney Lumet is straight-forward. He gives "Serpico" a documentary-like feel allowing the film to become more of a character study than a typical cop drama. This was an excellent choice especially considering the corruption and mistrust of the times. Lumet realizes he had a lightening rod in Al Pacino and wisely let Pacino do what he does best. The end result not only made "Serpico" one of the most culturally relevant films of the seventies, but one that remains highly watchable thirty-five years later.