Review of People I Know (2002) by Peter B — 17 Aug 2004

I rented this 2 days ago, and although extremely slow I did find it somewhat interesting, especially the acting. I thought Al Pacino did a great job playing a character who is disentigrating emotionally due to a life wasted and physically from a life of too many drugs, too much stress and not enough sleep.

Pacino pulls this off extremely well, and the make-up work really added to the visualization of the gradual physical decline of Pacino's character. The only downside to Pacino's performance was his god-awful Southern accent.

His character being from the South provided nothing to the plot, so I'm baffled as to why they would maintain that aspect of the character with Pacino being cast. Of course, butchering the Southern accent is a recurring theme in movies these days.

Other than that I thought Pacino did a great job. One other negative was Pacino's hair, he looked like they electrocuted him before each scene. On side shots, Pacino looked like Joan Jett on crack.

On a positive, I did enjoy the performances of the supporting cast. The story was decent. It is centered on Pacino's character's last ditch attempt to make something good of his life by hosting a "Benefit Dinner" that at all times seems on the verge of blowing up in his face.

It was fascinating to see Pacino's character, a publicist, virtually do anything in order to get the most famous and important people to "His Benefit". I also loved the characterizations of many of these important people including a preacher, an actor, a physician and a businessman as seemingly caring men on the outside but who ultimately care about nothing but themselves.

The murder mystery and conspiracy subplot which is what is typically advertised with this movie was pretty weak and not very eventful. Overall, I would say that if you just like to experience good acting with some good dialogue then this would be a good rental.

If your looking for action, suspense or mystery then skip this one.