Sidney Lumet
Serpico

- Do you know who was shot? Serpico.

- And who did it? A cop?

- At least 6 cops were ready to do it.

Al Pacino, after the legendary performance in "The Godfather" as Michael Corleone, this time plays the role of Frank Serpico. A true story of the Italian-American officer who, in the 60s and 70s, became, despite himself, famous for his battle against the extremely corrupt system of the American police. This story led to the creation of a book first, and then this film directed by Sidney Lumet in '73.

The movie, which starts from the end and retraces the whole story through flashbacks, immediately draws the viewer to the character, from when he's seen graduating and then entering the precinct for the first time. A strongly non-conformist character. Like when in a bar, he prefers to pay for his meal rather than have a free one that he didn't want. This minor detail helps to immediately understand the protagonist's profile. From the start, he's not inclined to follow, for example, the violent methods of his colleagues. He stands out for his eagerness and professionalism, far superior to the precinct's average. He quickly faces paradoxical situations, and for this, he soon requests a transfer. The real problems arise when, just transferred to his new job as an undercover officer, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, colleagues and superiors start offering him "his share," that is, the famous bribes.

Serpico finds himself in a desolate situation. What stands out is the disarming normality in which the events unfold, where all the officers get corrupted without the slightest shame. A story, certainly not new, that strikes the viewer because of this aspect. So Serpico becomes a black sheep straight away. Further transfers will prove futile: no matter the precinct, no matter the section, the story is always the same. And he certainly won't find any support by reporting the facts to his superiors nor even to the mayor.

"It's a funny thing: they make me look like a criminal because I refuse the money"

Opposed, ostracized, mobbed, isolated, intimidated in the worst ways. Threatened physically and psychologically. Urged in every way, with good and bad means, to follow and join the herd. All this because he simply refused to accept the envelopes. His will be a desperate cry. A battle, it soon becomes clear, doomed from the start. An increasingly aware fight against windmills. This dead-end situation will push him to the brink of a hysterical and nervous breakdown, completely ruining his private life.

Once he finally manages (after years) to report the general habits, he receives the last warning: "it might happen that, maybe, in your moment of difficulty, someone turns a blind eye..."

Whatever the outcome, regardless of Serpico's fate (and it is not a good outcome), the result was already written from the eloquent initial scenes: better not to fight against windmills.

A film that is a violent act of denunciation and raises awareness of the incredible, discouraging state of the American police of those years, dominated by sycophants and the worst kind of conspirators. Even though, as we all know, corruption - in all areas and all countries - has always existed and always will.

The great never too praised Al Pacino (dubbed for the third time by the unforgettable Ferruccio Amendola) - who adds another fundamental piece to his rise right amidst the first two chapters of Coppola's saga (even though this performance won't win him the statuette, beaten by Jack Lemmon) - expertly directed by Lumet. The soundtrack is also excellent. If not an absolute masterpiece, certainly a great film.

4.5