Quick Hit - Serpico - A-

On DVD(1973). Rated R, 129 minutes. Trailer.

After marveling at Director Sidney Lumet's most recent film, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, I decided to plug a gaping hole in my viewed filmography and had Serpico sent to the top of my queue. I wasn't disappointed.

Godfather-era Al Pacino is Serpico, aka Paco, the only plainclothes NY City policeman not taking bribes. He has integrity and just wants to work where he won't be confronted with graft and corruption. Everywhere he goes, he is faced with it until he decides he will try and stop it - even then he is unsuccessful until he takes the story to the NY Times. Pacino is brilliant in this opposite to Michael Corleone, with his taste for music, sheepdogs and facial hair. His quest to do the right thing is moving and the story about an honest cop being the most dangerous cop is great. The dichotomy of his hippie looks and his good intentions versus the bad guys with their clean cut look is great commentary throughout. I loved Lumet's use of the growth of Serpico's sheepdog and his facial hair to show the progression of time, as well his relationship with his family. Well worth the rental - may be a full A upon a repeat viewing. (note - Doc this one has the twin towers in it as well, see pic above).