Review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) by Will H — 30 Aug 2011
Dog Day Afternoon, in its original 1975 context, plays like a satire made by both the old and the new. Directed by legendary helmsman Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men), and starring then-up-and-comers Al Pacino and John Cazale, it is a film with much to admire, but not without faults.
It takes the risk of taking place all during one day, in one setting. That setting happens to be that of a bank robbery, albeit a wholesomely inept one, in 1972, based off a true story. First-time criminals Sonny (Pacino) and Sal (Cazale) attempt to rob the bank, only for just about every single aspect of their plan to go wrong, due to poor planning and weak-willed accomplices.
Nevertheless, they get in over their heads, embroiled in a deep standoff involving bank hostages, the FBI, and the police, in which some strange secrets about Sonny and his plans revealed. Reuniting the two younger Corleone brothers a year after their great performances in The Godfather Part II, they wisely play against type here, and show some considerable range.
Pacino, as opposed to a hardcore and ruthless Mafia boss, plays a (possibly) homosexual and somewhat inept criminal in Sonny, who makes up the rules as he goes along, and makes plenty of mistakes. He shows considerable growth here, and impresses in stark contrast to his earlier roles.
Cazale plays the silent-but-deadly type, also in stark contrast to Fredo, but still excels at showing the vulnerability and sensitivity he brought in the Godfather films. Charles Durning and Chris Sarandon turn in some worthy supporting performances, and Frank Pierson's script keeps the story running at an efficient pace.
Overall, Dog Day Afternoon is a worthy addition to Lumet's canon, and is one of many great 70s crime flicks.
This review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) was written by Will H on 30 Aug 2011.
Dog Day Afternoon has generally received very positive reviews.
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