.jeri.

I like my Roku because Ric actually gets excited about watching movies. Most of the time he's off playing Guild Wars with his buddies while I watch my own TV or movies. But the Roku has really gotten into movies lately (oddly enough, he has a thing documentaries), and we've been watching more things together. Serpico was another one we'd always wanted to watch, mostly because of the references in Rushmore.

Just a few minutes into Serpico (after the dramatic beginning), my first comment was that it felt like watching Rocky. It has that subdued 70s style. The characters feel natural and the shots feel less glossy and more city-centric. I looked up both movies the next day and discovered that John Avildsen, the director of Rocky, was actually originally slated to direct Serpico, although it ended up helmed by Sidney Lumet. So there's a little bit of trivia for you.

Al Pacino gives a great performance in this movie as an odd, honest cop. He wears plainclothes yet does everything by the book. As his career progresses, cops are put off by both his appearance and the fact that he doesn't take his share of the cut they all receive from bribes. In fact, Serpico gradually learns how far up the bribery and corruption goes and collects evidence to blow the whistle on what's happing around him.

The story plods along quietly as evidence builds, Serpico grows more obsessed, and we see the repercussions build in both his personal and professional lives. Except for his integrity, there's no real reason to admire Serpico, so I had a little bit of a hard time relating to him, but I guess a noble cause can wipe out a lot of faults.

I don't always know what to say about movies like this. It's so subdued that it doesn't get you excited one way or another about where it's headed. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with it - in fact, it's really good - but it didn't leave very much of an impression. I guess that makes this an ambivalently positive review.