Serpico

Serpico, a 1973 American crime biographical drama, is a deft exploration of justice, corruption, and individual rectitude. Inspired by a true story, it offers a poignant portrayal of an honest cop in a corrupt system, featuring the legendary Al Pacino in the lead role. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film brightly shines the spotlight on systemic corruption within New York City's Police Department during the 1960s and 1970s.

In Serpico, Al Pacino delivers one of his most memorable performances as NYPD officer Frank Serpico. The film follows the ten-year career of Serpico, a man known for his idealism, integrity, and fearless dedication to the job. Unlike his peers, however, Serpico refuses to bolster his salary by participating in the rampant corruption and bribery that plagues the police force. His refusal to play along is a decision that sees him targeted and ostracized by his fellow officers.

John Randolph and Jack Kehoe play strong supporting roles, embodying a range of police officers whose vices and virtues blend together in varying proportions. Randolph's portrayal of Chief Sidney Green provides a perfect foil to the morally resilient Serpico. Meanwhile, Jack Kehoe delivers an artful performance as Tom Keough, a fellow cop and initial friend of Serpico, whose allegiances grow murky as the storyline develops.

Director Sidney Lumet elevates the film by integrating subtle social commentary into the narrative. Known for taking a realistic approach to filmmaking, Lumet masterfully weaves in complex themes like disillusionment, pressure to conform, and a fierce desire for change. The narrative structure employed in the film skillfully uses flash-forwards interspersed with the linear storytelling, giving audiences an insight into Serpico's state of mind as an individual as well as a cop.

Beyond its engrossing narrative, Serpico is visually gripping, a credit to the brilliant work of its cinematographer, Arthur J. Ornitz. The film captures the grittiness of New York's streets in the 1970s, with its grimy alleys, teeming tenements, and graffiti-covered walls, enhancing the inherent intensity of the movie.

Equally notable is the film's impressive costume design, which subtly traces the transformation of Serpico's character over the years. The shifting time period is represented through Serpico's evolving fashion choices, from clean-cut suits to hippie attire and a flowing beard. Al Pacino thoroughly embodies these changes, giving physical manifestations to Serpico's mental evolution.

At the script level, Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler, drawing from Peter Maas's novel, craft a biographical drama that doesn't lose itself in hagiography. Instead, they give us a complex figure in the form of Frank Serpico, an individual with an unwavering sense of right and wrong, yet also a man coming to terms with the crushing reality of internal police corruption.

Serpico is also known for its specific sound design, with the use of Michael Barbiero's score, adding another layer of authenticity to the setting. The lack of a traditional film score allows the ambient sounds of New York City to feature prominently, contributing to the film's realism.

What sets Serpico apart is its ambitious attempt to tackle immense issues like systemic corruption and the moral decay of institutions. The struggles of Serpico serve not just as a narrative arc for the character but as a wider critique of societal vice. Essentially, Serpico is a microcosm of a world that is easy enough to identify as corrupt, but vastly more complex and overwhelmingly powerful to amend.

The film's unflinching honesty and Al Pacino's powerful performance combine to make Serpico a cinematic masterpiece. Generations of audiences have watched and appreciated the film, acknowledging its portrayal of the struggle of one man against a corrupt system. It's a classic that continues to resonate with viewers, standing as a stark reminder of the individual's power to take a stand, to defy the odds, and to effect change. In its essence, Serpico is a testament to the human spirit, steeped in a dark yet hauntingly real narrative.