When Frank Serpico joined the police force he was full of ideals and eager to help bring crime down in his neighbourhood. He first encounters the corrupt side of his job when he is given an envelope of cash. Even though he refuses to be part of the take, he finds that it goes too high for him to avoid or ignore. Meanwhile, his colleagues, who already suspect him of being untrustworthy, begin to suspect him of trying to bring actions against the whole force. As Scerpio lies bleeding from his head wound, he thinks back over his career.
Having read the book several times, I was interested in seeing how such a tomb of a book was brought into a two hour movie. I was pleased to find that the answer to this question was `actually pretty well'. The film manages to bring off the whole plot by giving the gist and delivering many of the book's most memorable scenes. There is a problem with the story if you really like the book, but otherwise it works very well. In fact the way each sequence is important means that the film moves very quickly - it's is often a downside if a film shirks on characterisation, but here it works to the film's favour.
Part of the reason the script can get away with little character is that Pacino is really good. He seems to have fallen into `who-ha' shouting of late, but here he has genuine passion and subtlety in his performance. The support cast includes Roberts, Randolph and others, but really it is Pacino's film and his performance reflects that.
Overall this is a tragic true story and it is notable that the film doesn't end with the `and then' text. There is no happy conclusion to the tale, the corruption that Serpico tried to confront and defeat remains in place after he is finished. Despite this the film is exciting and dramatic as the story deserves.
Having read the book several times, I was interested in seeing how such a tomb of a book was brought into a two hour movie. I was pleased to find that the answer to this question was `actually pretty well'. The film manages to bring off the whole plot by giving the gist and delivering many of the book's most memorable scenes. There is a problem with the story if you really like the book, but otherwise it works very well. In fact the way each sequence is important means that the film moves very quickly - it's is often a downside if a film shirks on characterisation, but here it works to the film's favour.
Part of the reason the script can get away with little character is that Pacino is really good. He seems to have fallen into `who-ha' shouting of late, but here he has genuine passion and subtlety in his performance. The support cast includes Roberts, Randolph and others, but really it is Pacino's film and his performance reflects that.
Overall this is a tragic true story and it is notable that the film doesn't end with the `and then' text. There is no happy conclusion to the tale, the corruption that Serpico tried to confront and defeat remains in place after he is finished. Despite this the film is exciting and dramatic as the story deserves.