Review- Dog Day Afternoon

Al Pacino's career can be divided in half. The first half consists of him out-acting anybody around at that time, the second half is his shouty phase. Now, I do like his shouty phase, I thought he was great in Scent of a Woman and Devil's Advocate and also in lesser roles, but what I really miss is his ability to perform like he does in this movie.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) for me is the pinnacle of Al Pacino's acting ability, one of my favourite roles that he has played and one of the best movies from the seventies.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, Dog Day is the true story of a man who robs a bank with his friend. Pacino plays Sonny Wortzik, an ex bank employee who supposedly knows how everything works in a bank. Unfortunately for him, the bank has no money in the vault, so what turns out to be a quick job soon turns into a botched operation. When the police are alerted to what is going on Sonny holds the bank employees hostage.

It doesn't take long for word to get out and pretty soon half of the city is outside the bank watching this spectacle, all the press and all the local people. Surprisingly, Sonny is a likable guy, he seems to be doing this out of desperation, and the majority of the female work staff quickly take a liking to him, often joking with him. His friend Sal (John Cazale) however, is a quiet, anxious guy who seems to be willing to actually hurt someone if things go wrong.

It's going to be a long afternoon

Outside are the police force, guns in hand, and Detective Moretti who is trying to lead the negotiations. Sonny does come outside a few times to talk and each time the police seem more than happy to shoot him, much to the frustration of Moretti who is trying to gain Sonny's trust. Sonny, knowing that all the news stations are filming him, knows this and shouts that the cops want blood, they want to see him dead on the street. He reminds them all of the Attica Prison incident which happened earlier, which involved prison inmates being shot by state police during a riot and re-takeover of the prison. He shouts 'Attica, Attica' over and over in a scene that has now become famous and spoofed many times. The crowd cheer him, they seem to be on his side as this circus gets bigger and more crazy.

Throughout the day Sonny rises in popularity with his hostages and with the large crowd outside. The whole thing is now one big media event, even the pizza guy who brings a delivery to the bank cannot believe his luck and even proclaims 'I'm a f***king star' to the press. But things are getting desperate and so Sonny comes up with a plan to ask for a jet so they can fly off out of the country.

'Wyoming isn't a country, Sal'

We find out why Sonny needs the money, which in turn reveals more of who he is (despite many write-ups revealing this 'twist' in the synopsis). The FBI also step in and they are less than willing to cooperate which makes Sonny and especially Sal more desperate. The only thing left is to see if Sonny and Sal get away.

The performances throughout are exceptional, partly down to the cast, partly direction. A lot of what was said was improvised, which Lumet encouraged and so it feels so natural which is important considering it's a true story. As mentioned earlier, this is one of Pacino's best example of his acting ability, both outright and subtly. He creates a character who is obviously in the wrong but someone you can sympathize with andget to like within a short amount of time. He has to battle mixed emotions as his plans fall apart, as things get out of hand his desperation and frustration begin to show. He also has a hatred of the police force outside waiting to kill him, he wants the hostages to like him, he plays up for the crowds and cameras and he has to come to turns with how his actions affect his mother and wife.

The pressure of being a criminal and a celebrity

There are so many great bits to this movie and, despite being a crime drama, it provides plenty of laughs. You can't help but laugh at one of the hostages wanting to go back inside with Sonny, the TV interview Sonny gives live from the bank, Sal being asked which country he wants to go to ('Wyoming'), the pizza guy, Sonny unable to get his gun out quickly at the start. The list is endless.

It's a fascinating study of the media, and celebrity, how something like this could capture the imagination of the public and make a criminal a local celebrity in a matter of hours. This fully deserved it's Oscar nominations, unfortunately it only won one for original screenplay, being robbed by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for best picture, Jack Nicholson also getting best actor.

If you have only seen Al Pacino in his shouty phase and also in Godfather, then certainly check him out in this naturalistic role. This is a fantastic movie, very entertaining and interesting in that it is all true. The best movie of 1975 by far.

Best Line:
Sal, Wyoming's not a country

Star Turn:
Pacino, one of his best roles ever. Enough said.

Best Moment:
Sonny trying to get his gun out in the bank