An interesting allegory on police corruption
As a telling of real-life events, this film is wildly off the mark, but on its own it makes a very interesting fable on police corruption.
Firstly, there’s the underworld angle. Some of the Mafioso comment that times have changed, that from owning the town and keeping the cops in line they’re now being bullied about by cops and trying to earn a living without incurring
Then, there’s the police angle. Basically, these cops milk the crooks for money and then dispose of them like trash, doing whatever they want, confident in their privileged position that no one will/can do anything against them, and contemptuous of the honest policemen like Roberts who try to live under honest rules. Roberts himself was ostracized from the normal cop community for refusing a bribe, a noble act but one that didn't get him any respect.
Both angles come to a head when Frank Lucas comes under assault from both crooks and cops; one of the crooks put out a hit on him, and the major crooked cops (represented by Trupo) wanted his money and stole it from him; while a few cops (represented by Roberts) were closing in on him slowly but steadily.
In the end, both sides went too far with Frank. He couldn’t trust any of the crooks he'd worked with, and he definitely wasn't going to support the crooks after what they did; compared to them, Roberts's integrity and honesty impressed him enough to put his trust and cooperation with him. Together, they took down all the crooks and all the cops (causing Trupo to commit suicide). Lesson learned.
Moral: don't get too greedy or try for too much, cause others will either come for you or try to kill you for your gains.
07/08/06... 786... the sentinel of Allah has arrived.