Review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) by Jesse O — 27 Sep 2011
This is a movie of edgy content and a slowly-but-surely paced form. The opening lone boat serves as a backbone reference-point for the pivot of the entire film, as Pacino ultimately pulls ALL strings to create a bank holdup last longer than one normally would.
Goddamnit, Pacino simply triumphs in every way: he's funny, witty, stupid and capricious, and charismatic beyond belief. He soaks in the civil glory each moment he cracks open those entrance doors.
His vitality is unprecedented, and his sexual orientation, motive and lack of blueprinting beforehand makes it so much more engrossing. The day-and-night relationship between Sonny and Sal is instrumental in explicating that in quagmires, some tread on and some throw in the towel, motivationally and emotionally.
The phone call scene between Sonny and his lover is unmistakably awesome as a brief synopsis of their deep, affectionate relationship is painted. Beautiful. After 2 hours and something minutes, this movie has successfully transported audiences into the muggy, claustrophobic bank where violence never gives birth.
A classic; Pacino's best; whatever you may say, Lumet leaves us with a comical, hard drama of supreme folly. Yet within the pervasive stupidity, Pacino (and some others) puts forth an improvisational effort that spoke volumes in the theatrical and political realms.
When a director can transform the criminal to an unseemly hero who only committed out of sheer love for another man, you've got a mint film. Are people crazy, are people in love, or are the two simply fused where no limpid distinction exists?
This review of Dog Day Afternoon (1975) was written by Jesse O on 27 Sep 2011.
Dog Day Afternoon has generally received very positive reviews.
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