Oscar Got It Wrong!: Best Actor 1973

The Contenders:

Jack Nicholson: The Last Detail
Marlon Brando: The Last Tango in Paris
Jack Lemmon: Save the Tiger (winner)
Al Pacino: Serpico
Robert Redford: The Sting

Oscar Got It Wrong!: Best Adapted Screenplay 1973

The Contenders:

The Exorcist (winner)
The Last Detail
The Paper Chase
Paper Moon
Serpico

Good Cop/Bad Cops

Film: Serpico
Format: DVD from personal collection on laptop.

Serpico is a film that is right in line with a lot of American sensibilities, I think. It may also be in line with the sensibilities of other nations; since I’m not as aware of what the typical Norwegian or Spaniard or Sri Lankan have to say about particular character types, I’m not willing to suggest that Serpico is a universal story. It may well be, though. It has the familiar feel of 12 Angry Men, a lone character standing alone against a group who wish him ill. That the lone man stands for truth and justice and honesty is only natural. That in this case it is based on a true story makes it something exceptional.

The film opens with Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) being rushed to the hospital after being shot in the face on a drug bust. We’re unaware in the moment of what might happen to him or if he will survive the car ride, let alone once he gets to somewhere he can be treated. A few frantic phone calls suggest that Serpico’s wound might well have been inflicted by another officer. From here we flash back to Frank Serpico’s graduation from the police academy.