Prince of the City

Prince of the City (1981)
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast: Treat Williams, Jerry Orbach, Richard Foronjy, Bob Balaban, James Tolkan
Memorable Line: "I sleep with my wife, but I live with my partners."

*Underrated and Overlooked*
Prince of the City is Sidney Lumet's apology to the NYPD for his slap-in-face movie, "Serpico." It's also a wonderful move that has been mostly forgotten. Some say it's Lumet's best movie and you'd get no argument from me.

The Plot of of Prince of the City
Danny Ciello is a part of a team of cop, a Special Investigative Unit, that along with doing their job, takes a little extra on the side. They bust the drug dealer, take his money (for themselves) and put the guy in jail. But this dichotomy of being a good cop while taking with both hands is eating him alive. But once he opens the door to his own personal redemption he had no idea the Pandora's box he opening. Hissolemn vow not to hurt his partners or friends, turns out to be a promise that he cannot keep and one that will be inevitably turned against him.

At first, he feels good about making his about face because he's putting "bad guys" in jail, but in all the lies and deceit, it's unavoidable that the circle of his sins will widen and suck in his partners. Danny learns that although the fraternity of cops is corrupt, they deeply care and protect their own. The deal with the devil he's struck is one that is soul killing and life destroying.

The Performances, Writing, and Direction of Prince of the City
Treat Williams gives the performance of his career as the tortured Danny Ciello. He is at one time manic and at another time in depths of hell and Williams captures it all. Lumet fills all the supporting roles with the most believable performers you will ever see in a movie. You will believe that these are cops and not actors. Orbach stands out as the one cop willing to stand up. Balaban is particularily memorable in his role as smarmy prosecutor who doesn't give a damn about the cops lives he destroys.

As started above, this is Lumet at the top of his game. The story loosely fits around the actions of Ciello and proceed organically from his actions and creates a natural flow of reactions. One choice leads to an inevitable next event and that's one of the strengths of this movie. It seems all so real.

Summary Judgment on Prince of the City
Yes, it's grueling to watch Treat Williams' character slowly deteriorate from the result of his decision to come clean. Yes, the film is gritty, unrelenting and in your face, but it's a masterpiece that's been forgotten by too many. Reward yourself and give this movie a chance.