Based on a true story: on a very hot day in August, 1972, Sonny (Al Pacino) and Sal (John Cazale) are reeling from a very botched robbery attempt at the First Brooklyn Savings Bank. They hold the bank staff hostage as they negotiate transportation to leave the USA.
Pacino's performance in this film could easily be used as a benchmark. There is so much to love with many special highlights. They include his many energetic scenes walking back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the bank as he is negotiating with the authorities. One of those scenes includes one of the best movie lines that is unlikely to show up on certain "Best Movie Quotes of All Time" due to its profanity. Hint: it follows a police sergeant (Charles Durning) asking Sonny why he has asked him to kiss him. The line is delivered with such Pacino panache that it is likely only this genius could get away with it.
Other scenes include Sonny dictating his will to one of the bank staff (sensitive and touching) and his one-on-one conversations with three different people in his life: his mother (Judith Malina); his wife (Susan Peretz); and his lover, Leon (Chris Sarandon). The latter conversation is rightly praised as one of the film's highlights. It was very rare at the time for man-to-man relationships to be portrayed seriously without being mocked. The same can be said of the characterization of Leon who has the intention of transitioning to a woman.
Director Sidney Lumet is at his best in this film as well with so much action seemingly taking place in real time. The film's beginning amazingly captures crowded chaos. And there is even comedy within the high drama. Some of the bank tellers seem to be thrilled at being part of the mayhem and media attention (Penelope Allen plays the head teller and has a few important scenes). In a fascinating way, the hostages bond with their captors.
The climactic powerful final scene, including its build-up, is the perfect conclusion for a perfect film. The cast is great and Lumet's direction is greatly aided by the editing by Dede Allen. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Directing by Sidney Lumet
Acting by Al Pacino
Editing by Dede Allen.
Pacino's performance in this film could easily be used as a benchmark. There is so much to love with many special highlights. They include his many energetic scenes walking back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the bank as he is negotiating with the authorities. One of those scenes includes one of the best movie lines that is unlikely to show up on certain "Best Movie Quotes of All Time" due to its profanity. Hint: it follows a police sergeant (Charles Durning) asking Sonny why he has asked him to kiss him. The line is delivered with such Pacino panache that it is likely only this genius could get away with it.
Other scenes include Sonny dictating his will to one of the bank staff (sensitive and touching) and his one-on-one conversations with three different people in his life: his mother (Judith Malina); his wife (Susan Peretz); and his lover, Leon (Chris Sarandon). The latter conversation is rightly praised as one of the film's highlights. It was very rare at the time for man-to-man relationships to be portrayed seriously without being mocked. The same can be said of the characterization of Leon who has the intention of transitioning to a woman.
Director Sidney Lumet is at his best in this film as well with so much action seemingly taking place in real time. The film's beginning amazingly captures crowded chaos. And there is even comedy within the high drama. Some of the bank tellers seem to be thrilled at being part of the mayhem and media attention (Penelope Allen plays the head teller and has a few important scenes). In a fascinating way, the hostages bond with their captors.
The climactic powerful final scene, including its build-up, is the perfect conclusion for a perfect film. The cast is great and Lumet's direction is greatly aided by the editing by Dede Allen. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Directing by Sidney Lumet
Acting by Al Pacino
Editing by Dede Allen.