Serpico (1973)

Frank, let’s face it. Who can trust a cop that won’t take money?

–Tom Keough

Based on the book by Peter Maas, Serpico tells the true a story of a straight and narrow cop, Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) chronicling his journey from when he graduates from the police academy to when he becomes a whistle blower about the corruption in the NYPD.

At the opening credits of the movie, you see that Frank has been shot. The movie constructs the events leading up to him getting shot.

During he short stint in various divisions of the NYPD, he witnessed corruption by his follow officers by taking money from suspects and keeping it for themselves.

He tries to tell his superiors about the corruption, but it falls on deaf ears.

One day, he meets Bob Blair (Tony Roberts), a man that he confides in to help him blow the whistle.

I had fun watching this film. I thought that Serpico’s look like a cross between my dad, Quentin Crisp and a pirate. Watch the film. You know it’s true.

Judgment: If you want to see a understated cop movie by Sidney Lumet, watch this film.

Rating: ****