One man's fight against a corrupt system

Serpico 1973

Soon after 'Godfather', Serpico became Al Pacino's stepping atone to stardom. I do not know if it is based on a true story but it had a biographical feel to its presentation. It tells the story of a cop who joined the force thinking that he could uphold justice but soon discovers that the whole policing force has rot to the core. To find an honest cop seems like an oxymoron which is more difficult to find than finding a proverbial needle in the haystack.
After finding dead-ends after dead-ends and lethargic feet dragging 'honest' cops, Serpico is shot in the face and meets a premature retirement. This disillusioned man leaves the country to live in Switzerland in the end of the film..
In midst of his turmoil at his work place, this frustrated man has to deal with the demands of his female companion/ girlfriend. Even though they (he had two at different times) were very patient with him, there was so much patience a person can have. They did not see a bright family life in this high strung undercover cop who was forever living off his edge. They all went separate ways.
Al Pacino, who won a few awards for his role in this blockbuster, appears good as a scruffy hirsute undercover cop who donned Indian type of kurta as his cover needed him to act like a junkie.

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