USED TO DISMISSING LUMET AS THE TUB-THUMPER OF ‘BIG’ ISSUES, FEW CRITICS SAW THIS COMPLEX 1981 MASTERPIECE COMING IN THE WAKE OF SUCH FILMS AS MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974) AND THE WIZ (1978).
The hero of Prince of the City, Danny Ciello (Treat Williams), is one of a team, a member of a special narcotics unit with the New York Police Department, whose other members (along with many of the gangsters with whom he deals) might be said to constitute his extended family. Beyond that is the super-family of the Justice Department, with its parallel world of loyalties, rivalries and power games—which Danny serves.
These are all brought into conflict when he is approached to give evidence to a commission investigating police corruption. The result is a kind of cosmic big bang of ‘little’ issues as Danny tries to remain loyal (initially refusing to inform on his immediate partners), honest, a good cop and a good family man.Group tickets are available directly from the IFI Box Office on (01) 679 3477
5 Lumet films for €30
7 Lumet films for €40 (Full Pass)
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