Now I am sure that you will agree with me when I say that corruption is a very bad thing, no matter what form it takes. Be it a corruption of a file on your computer. Be it a
corruption of a member of parliament. Or be it a corruption of a spiritual means as well. However, corruption of a movie is something else all together! As depicted in this film Directed by Sidney Lumet; and Starring: Al Pacino, Tony Roberts, and John Randolph. It was made in 1973, and lasts for 130-minutes. Serpico : The Film
- The Book
THE STORY:
It's pretty safe to say that honest cop, Frank Serpico (Al Pacino), is very emotional and eccentric man indeed. For example; he is over the moon when his Italian American mother gives him some cash so that he can move into his own apartment. He is amused by his work college's distain for his grungy appearance and bohemian behavior. He just loves his sheepdog and his promotion up the ranks. But he hates it when a corrupt cop gives him some money so he can go on 'the take' with him.
In fact, Frank does not like the idea of police corruption
in his department to such a degree, that he goes to an old friend of his, Bob
Blair (Tony Robert), to sort this matter out by contacting those 'on high'.
However, this does not really go according to plan - twice -
and Frank is really left up sh*t creek, especially when his police colleges
don't like the idea that Frank does not want to comply with their shady
endeavors. Worst still, is that over time Frank starts to become so frustrated
with the sticky situation he is in, he begins to push his friends away from
him.
Poor Frank, all he wants to do is to carry out his job
properly, right? Isn't their any light at the end of the tunnel for him?
Hmm. Funnily enough, there is.
Hmm. Funnily enough, there is.
You see, due to some of Frank's previous attempt to sort
this problem out, word reaches Chief Sidney Green (John Randolph), who acts as
an internal affairs investigator for the police force. So now with him by
Frank's side, together, they then manage to get this issue handled within a
court of law.
Good news, right? Err, depends on your perspective really. Though I suppose that is why what next transpires if a right
roller-coaster ride of law and order I can tell you. As the media come into
play - tribunals cannot pay - officers are shot - and Franks has had his lot.
A beginning...
THE REVIEW:
When I first watched 'Serpico' whilst I was at University a
couple of years ago, I have to admit, that it was a very strange experience for
me at the time. You see, during that period of my life, I was very much like Al's character. No - please don't get the wrong idea - I wasn't some sort of
undercover Narc who was fighting corruption in the student union bar. Instead,
I was a very bohemian looking character who wore very loud clothes, sported a
mullet and a beard, and had a very honest outlook on life - too honest in fact.
So you can imagine how I felt when I first watched this film! Confused
and surprised to say the least.
Please note, I do mean this in a very positive way of
course. As this true crime thriller is just a blast through and though. The
acting is great. The story is expansive. The style is pure Lumet. And
overall, it is masterful piece of true-life dramatization. Look at the facts: (1) This film originally came about
because it was supposed to be a vehicle for the Paul Newman and Robert Redford
partnership, due to their success in the movie, 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid'. Redford was to play Frank Serpico, and Newman was to
play his lawyer, David Durk. (2) Strangely enough, this film was recorded in
reverse order, with Al's hair and beard being trimmed bit by bit. (3) The real Frank
Serpico spent a lot of time with Al Pacino before filming so that he could get
into his role better. During filming though, he was told to leave by producer,
Marty Bregman, because he believed that his presence would prove detrimental to
Al. (4) John G. Avildsen was originally going to direct this film, but he
was sacked by Marty due to 'creative differences'. (5) This flick was shot
in one hundred and four different locations in every borough of New
York City New York
State
OK, so how can I explain to you how good 'Serpico' is, huh?
Could I say that Al Pacino did so great in this flick, that I think his role
could easily rival anything he did on the 'Godfather' films or 'Dog Day Afternoon'? (click on link for the review). What about if I
said that Tony Roberts was such a good foil to Al's shenanigans, that every time
they were on screen together, it actually lit up? Or better yet, what if I said that all
of the supporting cast are just so memorable in this movie, that when their
time is done on this film, it's a shame to see them go?
Oh! Wait a minute. I just did. Didn't I? D'oh!
Anyway, where the story in
itself is concerned, I do have to applaud screenwriters, Waldo Salt and Norman
Wexler, for doing such a great job adapting Peter Maas' original book. Granted,
like many of the other films which entail a rather expanded time frame, in
places, the overall pretext does get slightly fragmented within the narrative,
and I would have liked to have seen captions to state that the passage of time
has past (i.e. two years later etc... etc... etc...). Also, sometimes Serpico's
own 'personal life' isn't that clear either because of this issue as well.
Still, all in all that is only a slight niggle really, and it only takes a
minute of confusion before you can find your footing again, story-wise.
By in large 'Serpico' is a classic movie of its time, and
for any time. It manages to entertain with a true life story that is full of
character, pathos, texture, and girth, and is really fun to watch too. Wouldn't
you agree Serpico?
THE RATING: A
SERPICO
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
May 14, 2012
Rating:
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
May 14, 2012
Rating:
