10 Movies That Made New York City Look Like The Worst Place In The World

5. Serpico (1973)

Based on a true story with Al Pacino in his first lead roles after The Godfather, Serpico tells the story of an honourable policeman in sixties New York City. The sole fresh fruit in a box of bad apples, Frank Serpico is seemingly the only honest cop in New York City Police Department during this period, and looks on in disgust as his teammates and coworkers operate in corrupt and unlawful ways. Deciding to expose what he's witnessed first-hand, Serpico comes under immense pressure from what feels like the entire police force. He single-handedly squares off against a team of crooked cops who essentially run New York. Under the superb direction of Sidney Lumet, what the film essentially depicts is the good-natured and honest Frank Serpico vs. a corrupt, and hate-filled New York City. As a viewer you align yourself with the protagonist in Serpico, and find yourself experiencing what it's like to have the menacing eyes of New York City glaring down at you. The city's streets are terrifying to look down, the skyscrapers are nauseating to look up at, and the boys in blue who represent NYC are the scariest of all. Al Pacino is riveting in how he carries the picture, and whilst Serpico may depict NYC as wholly unjust and unsettling, the film is a hugely entertaining watch.