[5]

Sidney Lumet (Network, Dog Day Afternoon) directs the true story of a New York cop seeking redemption for some corrupt deeds. The undercover cop, played by Treat Williams, reluctantly becomes an informant for a special investigatory committee, only to have the committee strong-arm him into ratting out his friends and fellow cops. Williams is all right in the role, but I feel that perhaps a stronger actor might have held the film together better. At nearly three hours, Prince of the City drags in the middle and I feel the opening act could have better set up the stakes. We’re meant to contemplate Williams’ character — is he good, is he bad? Is it right for him to be used by the prosecutors this way? Lumet is careful not to make any judgments. The result is a depiction of New York City law officers and criminals, none of whom are purely good or purely evil. It would be a compelling portrait, except that you have no one to root for or really care about. With Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Orbach, Bob Balaban, James Tolkan, and Lance Henriksen.

Oscar Nomination: Best Adapted Screenplay