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Film · 1973 · Crime
Serpico
Directed by Sidney Lumet
1973
★ 6.3 editorial score
Frank Serpico was a real New York cop who would not take an envelope: Lumet films departmental corruption as an ordinary daily fact, and Pacino plays stubbornness as an entire personality.
“The title character's tragedy lies not only on the impossible situation that surrounds him, but in the irreparable destruction of his dream of being an efficient cop in an incorruptible department. So, when Serpico finally lets out a small cry, we realize that, in one way or another, his battle is already lost and we're sorry not only because of his disappointment, but also because of the cynicism of the world in which he lives.”
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