Film of the Week #73 - Serpico

Dont be at yourself

Serpico (1973)
Many of his fellow officers considered him the most dangerous man alive - An honest cop.


imdb

Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Al Pacino

Pacino may have burst onto the scene in The Godfather, but it was his performance in the title role of Serpico a year later that remains, for me, his best performance.

Serpico, the movie, concerns itself with the true story of New York City cop Frank Serpico. Serpico, the cop, concerned himself with the rampant corruption taking place in the force - so much so, that he ended up being shot in the face. True story.

Serpico's whole life unravels around him, all because he is inclined to do the right thing. He loses his friends and family, and constantly runs into brick walls in trying to overcome corruption.

But Frank Serpico is no hero. He's just a regular Joe who just doesn't fit in with the boys in blue. He's a beatnik, a hippy. His mop of hair and untidy facial hair immediately contrasts him with the superficially clean-cut police officers he works with - even before his moral backbone sets him apart.

I say moral backbone, though Serpico is no rabid cruasader, nor does he come across as a whiter-than-white saint. To repeat: he's just a regular Joe. He doesn't feel comfortable taking pay-offs, bribes or drug money.

As such, the movie gets considerable mileage painting the NYPD as greedy, immoral back-stabbers. Not only do they line their pockets with dodgy money, they are suspicious towards those few who don't - to the extent of intimidation, harrassment and, ultimately, attempted murder. The message is not so much extolling Serpico, but rather damning the influence of cold hard cash, and those influenced by it.

The film was shot on location all across New York. The resulting images are almost tangible, almost like looking out a window into the 1970s and the cultural melting pot that the rotting Big Apple was at that time. For my money it must go down as the strongest depiction of New York on film. That's no small achievement, considering the contenders.

The realisation of Serpico is also noteworthy. Pacino, in preparing for the role, supposedly invited the real Frank Serpico to stay with him in the run-up to filming. He was also initially allowed on set. In addition to the stand-out performance of Pacino, incidental details in wardrobe and styling combine with the cinematography to heighten the realism.

So, Serpico. A milestone in the careers of both Pacino and Lumet, and also in the cinematic realisations of New York and the NYPD. Also a rare occasion where 'Based on a True Story' should not set alarm bells ringing.

The Bollox

I am a Pacino fan, for me his best perfomance was in Carlitos Way where I feel he just shone. However it is not easy pickling a favourite when he has done such spectacular performances in other films like Heat, Scarface (not my favourite by him, but still a good performance) and The Godfather.

However, even though I am a Pacino fan I have not seen Serpico. I never knew what it was about so whenever I saw it on the shelf I would assume it was another gangster film and walk on. Now that I have learned it is actually a cop film I am very interested as I think he did very well alongside Johnny Depp in the seemingly similar Donnie Brasco.

having read the review I think I shall have to give it a go, so I thank you, NekkedBibleMan for opening my eyes to this film. I will give you a review after watching it

faceman

Good choice NekkidBibleMan, fantastic film and performance. Sidney Lumet is one of my favourite directors.

The film has really aged all that much compared with other films of the 70's when you think about the core story. Pacino is outstanding in it. His restraint in the role really emphasises that Serpico was just a regular Joe.

Unfortunately Pacino is too big into "HOO HAAA" performances nowadays (although I think he does it on purpose sometimes) so i wonder if he would play it the same if the film was being made now.

I find that performances like this are rarely mentioned in "best this/that/the other" threads because there is no "coolness" to the character.

kelator

Great film, only have it on vhs though. Does anyone if there is any extras on the DVD with the actual Frank Serpico talkin bout the film

faceman

kelator wrote: »

Great film, only have it on vhs though. Does anyone if there is any extras on the DVD with the actual Frank Serpico talkin bout the film

On the DVD version i have the extras a minimal

jArgHA

I'm delighted this movie made it into Movie of the Week. It has been one of my all-time favourite movies since I saw it about 5 years back, Pacino is excellent as always. The movie was very well cast and I liked Pacino's character a lot in the story, he really stood up against the corruption in times when it was rife.

I subsequently read the book which I can also highly recommend.

Slutmonkey57b

Great choice for FOTW.

Saw this last year having spent months being called Serpico by workmates. Not only a great, quiet performance by Pacino, but a great 70's film that doesn't seem overly cheese filled today. All the characters are put across cleanly - no hyperbole, no overwrought handwringing, just clear statements - "this is the world and this is how it's working" in New York in a time before the 80's greed culture and the harradins of SATC took it over.