Review of The Panic in Needle Park (1971) by Uros T — 16 Sep 2010

"The intersection at Broadway and 72nd Street on New York's West Side is officially known as Sherman Square. To heroin addicts it's Needle Park." This film starts out with that statement; so right away you know what your getting into. The audience is quickly drug down into the slums of the heroin community to see many gruesome and appalling images. This mesh of sad souls is brought about as more of a character study than a full on involvement. Al Pacino leads as a sort of goofball drug addict who is trying to find his path through this hell on Earth. His lurid performance expounds greatly the underlying tones in this horrifying drug world. He masterfully jumps from one end of the spectrum to the other with this portrayal.

The overall appearance seems a bit dated; as this film was shot in 1971. I am sure at the time of it's release it was more relevant and controversial. The Director Schatzberg does manage to use his limited tool selection well as there is no glitz or glamour used here. So it does offer up a splendid performance by Pacino and a few torrid images that will make the viewer a bit squeamish; but fails to deliver overall when all the pieces are put together.

I rate this one 59/100.

Review # 47.