A Work Of Quality That Refuses To Age

Rating: Null/10 (10 March 2015)

Based on a true story, filmed majorly in a single location & riding on the strength of its two sensational performances, Dog Day Afternoon is a firmly crafted, expertly narrated, briskly paced & accurately portrayed cinema that is much more than a robbery gone wrong story for it also tries to capture various issues prevalent in 1970s America with its anti- establishment tone.
Set in Brooklyn during the early 70s, Dog Day Afternoon tells the story of a first-time crook who along with his friend decides to rob a bank but their plan goes awry from the very start when they arrive at the bank after the daily cash pickup. However, with the arrival of police, the whole scenario inadvertently turns into a hostage situation which soon escalates into an intense media circus.
Fabulously directed by Sidney Lumet, this crime drama is one of the finest works of his filmmaking career & presents him at the very top of his game. The film doesn't waste much time in setting up its premise, introduces tension with fine elegance which is then steadily elevated as the story progresses to finally subside after a nail-biting finale that's far more suspenseful than most thrillers out there.
Further intensifying its plot is its claustrophobic atmosphere made possible by its secluded location & tight editing. And last but not the least is the outstanding work by both Al Pacino & John Cazale. Although Pacino expresses his character's dilemma amazingly well, Cazale steals the show with a performance that's as unforgettable as it is heartbreaking. And both of them are nicely supported by the rest of the cast.
On an overall scale, whether it's the direction, writing, acting, camera-work, editing or even its set pieces, Dog Day Afternoon is a work of quality in every one of these aspects and is also amongst the best works in the careers of Sidney Lumet, Al Pacino & John Cazale. Belonging to the very decade that gave us some of the greatest American films of all time, Dog Day Afternoon comes thoroughly recommended for it is a classic that simply refuses to age.