Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageSerpico (1973)
Director: Sidney Lumet
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Like a practice run for Lumet's Prince of the City, this deals with police corruption in New York: Pacino's idealism and odd-style dress alienate him from his fellow cops, who take bribes left, right and centre. But whereas the later film built up an impressively complex series of narrative strands and psychological motivations, this is far more one-dimensional, and is so laxly structured that its rambling story seems to last longer than the (almost) three-hour Prince of the City. Another problem, these days, is Pacino's characterisation; he seems at times more like a misplaced hippy than a plainclothes cop.
DVD Info
Sound Source Dolby Digital 5.1
Special Features Trailer - Original Theatrical Trailer / Featurettes - 1. Serpico: from reel to reel. 2. Inside Serpico. 3. Favourite moments. / Stills Gallery
Main Language English
Author: GA
User reviews of this film
-
- Marsellus said...
- Posted on Aug 08 2011 11:35 What a dumb review... Pacino seems like a hippy, not a cop...? He was both. Serpico wasn't a cop who fitted in so Pacino's characterisation is supposed to be at odds with the other cops and also at odds with what audiences would expect from a hero-cop-role. Serpico is a great film featuring an old-school Pacino - easily one of his best performances. The film itself is quite dated now and the budget is pretty meagre by today's standards - but that shouldn't detract from the quality of the story and acting. If you like other gritty 70s stuff like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver or even The Godfather then you should like Serpico.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- KSR said...
- Posted on May 31 2008 02:49 Stupid review!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- KB said...
- Posted on Apr 13 2008 23:18 Serpico is an excellent film. While the Time oU reviewer derides Pacino's performance, wh forgets that Pacino was playing a character who WAS a misplaced hippy. He was a REAL PERSON. It seems like a review that was written just to be contrary, rather than an honest look at the film.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Sidney Lumet
Producer: Martin Bregman
Cast: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire, Barbara Eda-Young, Cornelia Sharpe, Tony Roberts full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 130 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now