Prince of the City Movie Review
Prince of the City Review
"Prince of the City" Overview
Rating: R
1981
Cast and Crew
Director : Sidney LumetProducer : Burtt Harris
Screenwiter : Jay Presson Allen,Sidney Lumet
Starring : Treat Williams,Jerry Orbach,Richard Foronjy,Don Billett,Kenny Marino,Carmine Caridi,Anthony Page,Norman Parker,Paul Roebling,Bob Balaban
Before there was The Departed, before there was Donnie Brasco, there was this
tale of cop corruption and undercover work, directed by a down-the-rabbit-hole
Sidney Lumet. Based on a true story, Prince features a rather bland Treat
Williams as Danny Ciello, who goes undercover to expose corruption in (where
else) the NYPD. Naturally, he soon learns that just about everyone is on the
take, including his own partners. Eventually, Ciello himself becomes suspect
for his prior drug use. The film starts off strong as Ciello starts delving
into the underworld of corrupt cops, but eventually starts to repeat itself and
bog down as it hits its third hour. Fortunately, numerous supporting stars keep
it largely worth watching.
The new DVD is heralded as a two-disc special edition, but alas I didn't think
that would mean the movie would be split across two discs. (At 167 minutes, it
could've fit on one.) A historical featurette is also included.
Reviewer: Christopher Null
