Often seems like no one but me, remembers this one. It stars Michael Moriarty and Yaphet Kotto.
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — General Discussion
Paul P. Powell — 4 months ago(November 24, 2025 04:44 AM)
Often seems like no one but me, remembers this one. It stars Michael Moriarty and Yaphet Kotto.
Should be much more recognized by film buffs.
1.
Who shines? Well. Ostensibly, it is Moriarty's movie. This was when up-and-coming Michael Moriarty was a fresh young face in movies.
Back then, Mariarty delivered performance after performance, which was top-tier. He was an actor's actor. Hard-working. Always striving to make the grade.
In this taut, gritty Big Apple expose –he is at his best. He is in the lead and boy howdy, he is certainly earnest and sincere.
Now, the thing to know about Moriarty is that the guy is huge. He's like 6'5" or something. A giant dork. Why do I call him dork?
You know that almost pubescent-teen voice of his.
Yet here –as with most of his simpering, whimpering characters –you wouldn't know he is as tall as he is. He is frail and fragile as befits the rookie detective role he is filling.
2.
Anyway this flick is icy. You heer me boy? I sez cold! Raw. Fast-paced; crisply-edited. PLENTY of action. Stands up to multiple re-airings.
Screenplay by Ernest Tidyman (and Abby Mann). But it's got Tidyman all over it and Tidyman was lights out.
3.
What's more, it's filled with all our fave supporting stars: Hector Elizondo, William Devane. Vic Tayback. Newbie Richard Gere –his first cameo. Many familiar faces. Susan Blakely is the female lead.
4.
But especially let me commend Yaphet Kotto. This may be my fave role from him other than 'Alien'). He's quintessential badass in this flick.
And that's really saying something, because Kotto was always badass.
I've pondered why he was never much saluted for the charisma he exuded. He's the rock, the anchor of any movie.
Like a black version of Bruce Dern. He makes every characterization, look effortless.
In this romp he is one of the all-time great New York police detective sergeants. Hilarious at times.
5. Summing up
So –returning to my assertion –is it the best NYPD movie ever? I say yes.
Not as good as 'French Connection' but 'French Connection' is not about the NYPD. It's about drugs.
Is it better than 'Serpico'? Yes. As much as I admire Lumet & Pacino, this is more fun. It's zany.
Paul P. Powell, Pool Player