The French Connection. It’s a great “mean cop” flick. Gene Hackman’s “Popeye” Doyle is pretty unlikeable, but you still find yourself on his side despite all the recklessness and disregard for, y’know, the law. I love the attention to detective details here, the surveillance stuff with all the stake-outs, and the car tails, and the cat-and-mouse following on foot with a switching team. Also: that final chase is legit.
Mark Larson 