Al Pacino's Greatest Performance

Frank Serpico....

Somewhat of a surprise for some but this performance, regardless of what you may say about 'The Panic in Needle Park' or 'The Godfather', was the film that Pacino really had to carry virtually on his own. The film itself is good, not great, but has had the unfortunate tendency to be shrowed among a monsoon of other 70s crime thrillers that happen to be similar in tone and execution (But lack the film's moral compass). 

What elevates the film is Pacino, no question. What he offers is arguably his most vivid and embracing characterization work to date. Every element that is associated with Pacino's greatest is abundantly evident in his performance. We see tremendous explosions of intensity and rage, disarming moments of humour, and truly engulfing nuances of subtle emoting. 

Perhaps what is the standout element that encapsulates the greatness of Pacino's work in 'Serpico', is how the development of Serpico's precarious situation and the range of emotion that the character endures during his journey, is all quite brilliantly conveyed in such a subtle, engrossing manner by Pacino. The fear, doubt, anger, dejection, sorrow, frustration and morality of Frank Serpico is layered in every grimace, gesture and glance that Pacino manifests on-screen. The film has such a slow pacing but it allows Pacino's characterization to breathe and develop naturally and not be forced, credit to Sidney Lumet (Also Evident with 'Dog Day Afternoon'). 

In many ways what you have with Pacino in 'Serpico' alludes to De Niro in 'Taxi Driver'. Both performances share a common emotional arc which, although different in context, are exhibited and pursued in very discret, quiet moments of acting that consumes the audience to the point that by the closing of the film, a catharsis can be reached. Both an emotional connection and understanding of motivation, if not necessarily sympathy or admiration, are established and very difficult to question on the basis of the integrity of realism apparent in both performances. 

Essentially, very little of Pacino's inner conflict is explored verbally, like with 'Dog Day Afternoon' or 'Scarface'. 'Serpico' illustrates Pacino's acting at it's most subtle, alluring and vivid. That slow, masterful progression of frustration, anger and conviction of indentity, is played out by Pacino in a fashion that I find unique to his other great works. His portrayal of Frank Serpico showcases Pacino's depth, versatility and ability to create lush strokes of tremendous emotion on the screen by appearing to do, or say, very little. 

The greatest complement of for any actor applies to this performance, which is, that when I watch Serpico I believe I'm watching Frank Serpico, living and behaving, not the actor Al Pacino.