Good, but very overrated

I think people who have trouble with this film don’t understand how out-of-the-box it was in its time.
There *are* indy films like it today.
And likely because of it.

It was pretty much accepted that American films in the 20th century were always the most beautiful looking. Empty, perhaps, but always good looking. The French New Wave ushered in a rebellion against pretty: they wanted gritty, dirty, urban, rough — and yes, even pedestrian. These films inspired Friedkin to try to do an American crime thriller in that same style. No one had ever done that, and frankly, I can’t believe a studio like Fox let him. But that’s the difference between now and the early 70’s: back then, big studios took big chances.

This film is very nearly a documentary at points. It’s not just a stylistic choice (for example, the bloody car crash that is incidental to the plot), but also in the details it chooses to cover, and how. Take the bar scene where Popeye and pal are off-duty having a beer. He notices Tony Lo Bianco and some associates at a table and a bag being passed. Popeye has not been assigned to this case, and in fact knows nothing at all this point, except one thing: something is wrong. Though not even on duty, he simply follows one of the characters to see where it leads. It’s not heart-stopping, but it ain’t contrived either. It’s real. Likewise, one of the most affecting scenes for me has Popeye and partner braving bad coffee in the New York cold looking in at Charnier and a friend sitting warm and comfy, enjoying drinks, dinner, and then dessert. I had never seen this done before — a miserable stakeout from the cops’ perspective, looking in at the criminals dining in oblivious comfort. It’s genius, and done without any flash, and barely any dialogue. Original, daring and effective.

That’s real filmmaking, Oscar style.

I agree with the OP. It's a movie I have no desire to re-watch.