Film: Dog Day Afternoon

[WacoWas AnAccident]

So I just finally watched this classic mid-1970s film. It's a quirky and inventive film that chronicles a poorly executed bank robbery which takes place on a muggy summer afternoon in New York. It is based on actual events, deviating only to incorporate some creative interpretation of the facts from time to time. But aside from the plot stuff, it offers up a clever and subtle commentary on the state of American society during the 1970s, most notably the abuse of power by law enforcement officials.

It won an Oscar for best screenplay, but the real strength of the movie is Al Pacino's performance as the mentally unstable Sonny. It's an absolutely fantastic performance. Unfortunately for Pacino, he lost out on the best actor award to Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Personally, I feel Pacino's role in this is his best acting ever, and this is coming from someone whose favorite movie is the Godfather. In one immortal scene, a comically manic Pacino begins chanting, "Attica! Attica!" to the crowd and immediately converts them to his cause.

It's really a great film and Pacino is out of this world in it.

 

[dm3]

great movie. i loved it

 

[keystroke]

it's a good movie, I like how they were giving the hostages a go of the gun at one stage

 

[silvia saint]

*spoiler*


watched this last night before seeing the thread today. gosh the 70's were a fantastic decade for cinema. way ahead of its time on trigger happy cops and the all too willing to exploit mass media. great flick. pity he didn't check the glovebox.

 

[posner]

How about John Cazale (Sal)? The only movies he ever starred in (except The American Way, which is really obscure) were The Conversation, Godfathers I & II, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Deer Hunter.

Absolutely incredible actor. It's a shame he died when he did, but talk about a resume.

 

[WacoWas AnAccident]

Actually, I didn't really like Cazale in this. I thought he was miscast as Sal. He's definitely a capable actor, but his performance just seemed to to be a little bit lacking I thought.

 

[Banquo]

a classic

 

[posner]

Actually, I didn't really like Cazale in this. I thought he was miscast as Sal. He's definitely a capable actor, but his performance just seemed to to be a little bit lacking I thought.

really? i thought he was pretty great.