Promotional Line: "Many of his fellow officers considered him the most dangerous man alive - An honest cop."

Based on the fact-based book, by Peter Maas, which makes it all the more compelling, this gritty, Oscar-nominated screenplay, by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler gives us the trials and tribulations of Frank Serpico, an offbeat cop who comes to be hated by his fellow cops when he uncovers corruption in their department.

Frank Serpico (Al Pachino) joins the New York Police Force as an idealistic patrol cop in the 70's . When he works himself up to the rank of detective, he becomes an uncover cop, working in busing drug dealers. He runs into trouble from fellow officers when he refuses to take his cut of the money that was routinely extorted from local criminals, which alienates him from the people he must work with as a team. Staying true to the NYPD mottos, "To serve and protect" and "New York's Finest," he reports the extortion racket of his fellow officers, after witnessing a lot of graft and corruption. In Serpico's words, "The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry -- it just gets dirtier." Serpico testifies to the grand jury, hoping to make a difference. Afterwards, he finds that things have gone from bad to worse, as no one wants to work with him, and is deliberately put in dangerous situations on the job, with no one willing to back him up.

Pacino, is perfectly cast as the nonconformist, honest cop, complete with long hair and ear rings, who changes from being a young, idealistic cop to a seasoned, cynical detective, doing his best to buck the system. Pacino emmersaes himself into the role, bringing much of himself into his oscar-nominated performance. Much like Dustin Hoffman, Pacino is at his best when he's the little guy bucking the system.

Jack Kehoe as Tom Keough, gives a convincing supporting performance, as the fellow cop who listens to Serpico's frustrations, and giving him feedback about other officer's opinions. "Now I ain't sayin' who. They just said ya'... ya' couldn't be trusted, you know? Frank, let's face it. Who can trust a cop who don't take money?"

The Director, Sidney Lumet, does a terrific job directing this marvelous cast, bringing this gritty, realistic screenplay to life in the mean streets locations in the Big Apple itself. The pacing and tension keeps the audience involved, wondering if Serpico can keep his head above water, as he tries to swim upstream.

Lumet must like the theme of police corruption. He's returned to it time and again, including: "Prince of the City" and "Q & A." "Serpico" is the earliest and best of his films exploring this theme, where he shows the battle between good and evil, and explores the suffering an honest cop endures, that people have endured for making the choice of being honest, and doing the right thing from the dawn of time. One can see why this film is considered one of the top social consciousness films of the 1970's.

If you enjoyed SERPICO you may like "Heat," "Se7en," "Sea of Love," "Prince of the City," "L.A. Confidential," "The French Connection," "Bound by Honor," "Donnie Brasco," "In Too Deep," "New Jack City," "Cop Land," and/or "Q & A."

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