Serpico

While watching Serpico, I constantly asked myself whether I would stick to my principles in a situation like that portrayed in the film. I’d like to think I would, but after seeing Al Pacino’s performance that encapsulate the never-ending nightmare of being an honest man in an increasingly corrupt world, I’m not so sure that I would be as strong as the real Frank Serpico. He went through hell, both in the real world and in his mind, with no one to trust.

I admire this film because it’s very honest about its characters. Serpico’s love interests all fall flat because of his almost zealous devotion to upholding the ethics and morals of his job to the highest standard, and he alienates his friends because they neither understand what he is going through nor can they protect him in the way he needs. The cops in the film, for the most part, are brazen in their corruption – they are confident because they have normalized taking bribes: receiving pay-offs is merely how they conduct their business as officers of the law. Some try to justify breaking the code that Serpico would die for, but most have no qualms about what they do. That’s what irks Serpico, and by extension the viewer, the most: cops should be the best of society and here they are participating in dealings that make them no different than the criminals they pursue.

Sidney Lumet is the best and if you’ve seen any of his other films (especially Dog Day Afternoon), you will appreciate Serpico.