William Friedkin

The French Connection (1971) - 4/5

This is a long, slow stake out movie that opts for realism over thrills. It’s a much more palatable entry to the Unhinged Cop genre than most, choosing to making its point more with racial slurs and questionable shakedowns instead of with rape and addiction. There are more stakeouts than chases, more chases than gunfights, and its own ‘70s realism style to tie it all together. The ending leaves something to be desired, but overall it holds up very well.

Closest comparison: It’s like Training Day by way of Taxi Driver.

Setting: Crime
Plot: Buddy Cop
Tone: Crime