I first heard about this film through the episode of it’s always sunny in Philadelphia where Charlie dresses up as Frank Serpico and produces a tape “4 da mare”. I thought it was a funny episode, so I eventually watched the film itself.
Al Pacino shines in almost everything he’s in but his performance as Frank was outstanding. He’s prepared to do what is right over what is easy and suffers as a result, we truly get a sense of the turmoil Frank is put through, he loses his girlfriend because of how depressed he becomes, his life is threatened, everyone he turns to either doesn’t listen to him or is turning a blind eye. But he remains committed to exposing the corruption he sees blatantly happening in front of the police’s eyes, because he’s a clean cop through and through and believes in the fundamental ideals of the police. Pacino drives this character study in a performance that shows pain, determination and anger.
I think it’s an excellent film. It says that doing the right thing takes more effort especially when everyone else is doing the opposite and swaying you constantly to go the other way. It’s immensely satisfying to see him finally testify in front of the cameras toward the end, after everything he’s gone through. I know Frank Serpico was a real cop but I don’t know much of his real story, but the film is still gripping nonetheless
Submitted June 19, 2020 at 04:42AM by Egreaves14 https://ift.tt/3hIYDCL