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Synopsis

Based on the experiences of NYPD narcotics detective Robert Leuci, Lumet’s epic examination of corruption and compromise, set against a teeming portrait of 1970s New York, is one of his most arresting and accomplished pictures. When an idealistic cop agrees to tell the Feds about departmental malfeasance, he receives a guarantee that he won’t have to rat on his partners — but as the stresses and dangers of being an informer wear him down, he finds himself turning against those closest to him. —Film Society of Lincoln Center

Director

Original

Sidney Lumet

Sidney Lumet (born June 25, 1924) is an American film director, with over 50 films to his name, including 12 Angry Men (1957), Serpico (1973), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) and The Verdict (1982), all of which, except for Serpico (1973), earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director.

According to The Encyclopedia of Hollywood, Lumet is one of the most prolific directors of the modern era making more than one movie per year on average since his directorial debut in 1957. He is especially noted for his ability to draw major actors to his projects. “Because of his visual economy, strong direction of actors, vigorous storytelling and use of the camera to accent themes,” states Turner Classic Movies. “Lumet produced a body of work that could only be defined as extraordinary.”

One of his steady themes during his career has been the “fragility of justice and the police and their corruption,” according to Thomson’s Biographical Dictionary of Film. He can deliver… read more

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Kijma

2May13

A heavy handed tragedy with a conservative eye and characters with hard passion. The rabid culmination of characterization during the last 35 minutes; that explosion left me cathartic. I believe Honesty is the foundation for Lumet. The thread that secures his work into an idea.

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Daniel S.

21Nov12

One of Sidney Lumet's masterpieces.

m. noone likes this

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criminalmovies

7Sep12

very good film which takes the cop turned informant formula in some unexpected directions. Treat Williams is terrific as a guy who "worries so much" it almost hurts to watch him twitch. A deeper story than you might think. A ton of great supporting roles too.

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Classroom Battles

1Sep12

Holy shit....

jeffreyreeser likes this

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