Review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) by Adam M — 03 Oct 2010
Why it took me this long to see this movie, I have no idea. The 70s are perhaps my favorite decade for movies, and Dog Day Afternoon is a great, culturally signinficant film. The 70s was one of the most significant, and challenging decades for America. The Vietnam War was ending, sexually diversity was at an all time high, and people were resorting to violence to solve their problems. Sidney Lumet creates characters to reference all of these aspects of 70s culture. Each decade needs a film like this, to really shead a light on the struggles of life during rough times.
Sonny Wortzik, (Al Pacino) is a Vietnam vet who is borderline crazy. Sonny and his mentally weak friend Sal (John Cazale) decide to rob a bank, it is supposed to be a quick job in-and-out. But events spiral out of control and the robbery turns into a nationally known event. Sonny more intellegent than most robbers. At times he seems to be in control of everything, but at other times he lets his emotions take control of him. The "hostages" very rarely treated like hostages at all, they are treated well. Sonny and Sal never really put them in any danger, and in a way it seems as thoough th hostages come to like both Sonny and Sal. Sal is a almost worthless partner in crime, he does not help at all with the plan making, and his his mental flaws end up causing real problems. It is found out later that the main reason for the bank robbery, is that Sonny wants to get a sex change operation for his "wife" Leon Schermer (Chris Sarandon).
Al Pacino is outstanding as crazed and mentally disturbed Sonny. John Cazale like his role as Fredo is able to portray mentally weak characters to a perfection. With A Dog Day Afternoon, Sidney Lumet references some important aspects of 70s culture. The mental and living obstacles of Vietnam veterans, people's obsession with rebellion, and sexual diversity. Dog Day Afternoon is a film that had to be made, and Sidney Lumet is one of the few directors that could have made a daring film like this work.
Mood-O-Meter: 98%.
This review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) was written by Adam M on 03 Oct 2010.
Dog Day Afternoon has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
