Serpico: Difference between revisions

This 1973 film directed by [[Sidney Lumet]] is based on the non-fiction novel by Peter Maas. Frank Serpico is an idealistic [[New York City Cop]] who dreams of becoming a detective. In order to qualify for the famous 'gold shield' he joins the Plainclothes Division, where Serpico's tendency to dress like a hippy -- and refusal to take bribes -- earn first the bewilderment, and later the active hostility, of his police colleagues. Equally disturbed by the corruption that surrounds him, Serpico keeps trying to inform his superiors of the situation, but all are reluctant to open a can of words that could jeopardize their own careers or alienate their fellow officers. Eventually Serpico is forced to go public -- an action that puts his life in danger from those who are sworn to serve and protect.

 

 

* [[Al Pacino]]: Played Serpico in the movie.

* [[Badass Beard]]: Serpico grows a very impressive one halfway through the movie, becoming a virtual trope setter for future undercover cops both in fiction and real life.

* [[No Celebrities Were Harmed]]: The movie changed the name of the police officers accused in the book.

* [[Obstructive Bureaucrat]]: Serpico's efforts to both fight crime and get something done about police corruption are hampered by petty regulations, and his superiors who are more interested in maintaining the image of the department than getting to grips with the problem.

* [[Reasonable Authority Figure]]: After years of superiors who regard him as an embarrassment, Serpico finally meets a precinct captain who genuinely admires him. The two [[They Fight Crime|team up to fight crime]], but find their own precinct also has a corrupt network and the brass are still reluctant to do anything.

* [[The Seventies]]