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Serpico is a classic American crime drama film released in 1973. Directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino, this movie tells the story of Frank Serpico, a police whistleblower who decides to expose the corruption and graft taking place within the New York City Police Department during the 1960s and 1970s. The film opens with Serpico as a young and idealistic police officer who is eager to serve and protect the citizens of his city. However, as he begins to work alongside other officers, he quickly realizes that there is a dark underside to the department that permeates even the highest ranks. Officers routinely accept bribes, steal confiscated money and drugs, and engage in other illegal activities with the tacit approval of their superiors.

Serpico is not content to simply turn a blind eye to this corruption, and instead begins to speak out against it. He files reports outlining the corruption he has witnessed, but is met with opposition and hostility from his fellow officers and superiors. Serpico is ostracized and belittled for his efforts to clean up the department and his refusal to participate in the illegal activities of his fellow officers.

Despite the resistance he faces, Serpico remains committed to his ideals and continues to expose the corruption within the department. He puts his own safety at risk by refusing to accept bribes and by wearing a wire to collect evidence against other officers. In doing so, he becomes a target for retaliation from his fellow officers, who see him as a traitor and a threat.

Throughout the film, Pacino gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Serpico, capturing the character's strong sense of idealism as well as his growing disillusionment with the system he is trying to reform. The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly John Randolph as Serpico's sympathetic friend and mentor, and Jack Kehoe as one of the more corrupt officers who becomes increasingly hostile towards Serpico as he becomes more vocal about his allegations.

Serpico is a strikingly realistic portrayal of police corruption and the struggles of a lone individual to fight against it. The film was based on the real-life experiences of Frank Serpico, who was a police officer in New York City in the 1960s and 1970s. The movie was both a critical and commercial success and helped to bring the issue of police corruption to the forefront of public consciousness.

In conclusion, Serpico is a gripping and powerful crime drama that tells an important story about one man's bravery in the face of corruption and abuse of power. With outstanding performances from Al Pacino and the rest of the cast, the film remains a classic of American cinema that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Serpico is a 1973 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 83.