Serpico

“The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry--it just gets dirtier.” "Serpico" is the story of the real-life man Frank Serpico, a NYPD officer infamous for his whistleblowing of police corruption during the 1960s and 70s. Al Pacino was absolutely amazing in this, I really can’t decide now if this or “The Godfather part 2” is his best performance. Pacino's portrayal is raw and convincing, capturing Serpico's inner conflict and commitment to justice, even as he faces isolation and increasing danger from his colleagues. Lumet’s direction is characteristically realistic, it completely immersed me in the gritty 1970s New York City landscape, complete with its dimly lit precincts, dingy apartments, and chaotic streets. Even when Frank finds the rare honest cops he can trust, his fight remains an uphill battle. Each transfer to a new precinct only makes him stand out more to the corrupt officers around him. By the end, despite his relentless efforts, it feels as though he didn’t fully achieve his mission. He was truly God’s lone soldier, determined to do his job the right way in a system that didn’t seem ready for change. A riveting and true tale that feels even more relevant today as the corruption within law enforcement still exists and maybe even to a greater degree