Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Freaktana
A Major Disappointment
Kimball
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Uriah43
Upon graduating from the local police academy, "Frank Serpico" (Al Pacino) joins the New York Police Department with high hopes and ideals. Being new to the department he is determined to follow the rules and play it by the book. However, he soon learns that there are a different set of rules his fellow officers follow which aren't taught in the classroom. Although he doesn't like what he sees he chooses to concentrate on his personal life and career. However, as time goes by he realizes that he cannot ignore it any longer and attempts to change things by taking his suspicions to his superiors. But when things don't turn out like he plans he decides to take a drastic step that has severe repercussions for everyone involved. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film contains a great deal of drama along with an outstanding performance by Al Pacino who was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award. Likewise, the fact that it was based on a true story makes it even more remarkable and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
fairlesssam
This is based on the true story of Frank Serpico, a New York cop who was an honest man from a good Italian family. He couldn't bare the corruption in the police force and refused to become embroiled in it. It was so rife that it overwhelmed him and he wanted to do something to stop it. The rest of the force turned on him.Al Pacino's performance in this film is impressive, when he is on screen he owns it. As an actor he is phenomenal, extremely strong and completely absorbed in his character. The rest of the cast are also superb, you feel as though you are living the frustration and conflict that Serpico went through. It is portrayed as agonizingly. I have to admit that this is not my favorite movie (just down to the content) but in acting quality and deliverance it's excellent.
gab-14712
1973 was a very strong year for movies. I say it's the best year in movies produced in the modern Hollywood system up to 1973. It's not the best year of the decade (1976 is just fabulous for excellent movies), but with the likes of American Graffiti, The Sting, and this movie, Serpico, it's hard not to get excited about the year of film in 1973. I'll say off the bat that Serpico is an excellent movie. I can hardly call that a surprise given the amount of talent behind the film. The story, based off real-life events, is very engaging and its brutally honest. Just like Mean Streets showed, living in New York City was not exactly all that safe. While Mean Streets covered everyday life in a New York community, this film covers the police and more specifically, police corruption. The film shows that pretty much every cop in the NYPD were corrupt to some degree whether it's racketeering or paid murder, but one man decided to show honesty and integrity….and nearly pays with his life. This is a very powerful theme and it shows why the movie can be labeled as inspiring. It's just one of the few things that make this movie a must-see.This picture takes place in New York City in the late 1960's-early 1970's. Frank Serpico's (Al Pacino) profession is a NYPD officer, and his motto is to become a good cop. The problem is that no one else wants to be a good cop. He refuses to extort money from the local criminals unlike his colleagues. Because of that, he is alienated from everyone else on the workforce. He is constantly put in life-threatening scenarios, and nothing seems to get done when he goes to the highest authorities. He refuses to be like everyone, despite all the danger, in hopes that one day corruption will end.This movie relies upon some heavy acting by Al Pacino, and he certainly rose to the task. This movie also proved that Pacino was capable of becoming a powerful leading man. He impressed everyone in The Godfather, but Pacino proves he is no fluke with his incredibly powerful, believable role as Frank Serpico. I really thought Pacino was Frank every time he appeared on screen. I love how Pacino can make himself disappear in roles so easily, and that's why he is one of the greatest actor's of all-time. I also loved the physical transformation Pacino takes throughout the film. He gradually grows lots of hair and a beard, and it's a very noticeable transformation. I thought that was really cool to point out.This film was directed by the great Sidney Lumet. He directed the 1957 classic 12 Angry Men and that movie kept him on the map. He, once again, brought his master direction techniques to this film. He was able to get the best out of Pacino and was able to give the film more of a personality. He definitely tackled the issue of police corruption very well. Police officers actually said what happened in this film was an accurate description of what really went on during the police force, and that's still a very scary thought.I also liked the location authenticity of the movie. This movie was filmed in actual locations of the city, and it felt like I was in 1973 New York. It's interesting to see how these movies featuring New York in the 70's proves how much the city changed with compared to 2016. That being said, I always love being in New York; past and present. The film was filmed in every neighborhood except for Staten Island.Overall, I really, really liked Serpico. I would rank this film as my favorite film of 1973. I cannot think of a complaint to give the film. It feature solid, fluid direction by Sidney Lumet. The acting, led by the legendary Al Pacino, is perfect. I loved the story and the way the tricky issues were handled. It was shocking to see how bad police corruption got. So bad that they were willing to kill Frank Serpico just to keep his silence. That scene where there was a drug bust and his fellow detectives put him into the line of fire was very saddening and powerful to watch. I also liked the music, which was composed by Mikis Theodorakis. This movie is a classic and I can easily recommend it to those who love good movies. If you want to know why Al Pacino is such a big movie star, just check out Serpico.My Grade: A+
Prismark10
Serpico is about police corruption. Usually when a film is made about police corruption it is always set years in the past. As if to convey a message that: 'We were bad then but we have cleaned up our act now, today we are different.'It is never the case. When the film Serpico was being made it was only a year after the real Frank Serpico resigned from the police force.Al Pacino gives a raw powerful performance as the keen, clean cut rookie policeman trying to resist the cancerous corruption rife in the police force where almost every officer is on the take and bending police procedures. His Serpico becomes a jaded, cantankerous long haired bearded hippy loner as in each turn the bureaucracy turns a blind eye to the corruption or is knee deep in it.Director Sidney Lumet built up a filmography that examined in depth police corruption and he shoots this movie in a street smart, earthy, edgy manner.Politicians here care more about public relations and soft soaping Serpico by telling him they are taking his allegations seriously, when they really want to sweep it under the carpet. Serpico becomes a pariah, a lone wolf knowing it is only a matter of time he will be hunted down by his fellow officers.This is one of the great cinema film of the 1970s. It still reaches out and grabs you. Pacino gives an honest performance helped because he met the real Serpico and knew he had to do his story justice. The film is not just about Pacino's performance. It is nothing without Lumet's busy direction and determination to bring corruption out in the open.
