classic Al

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2005)

Attica! Attica!
This was probably the first 'R'-rated movie I was allowed to see (or maybe it was DEATH WISH?). And I really haven't seen too many better ones in the succeeding thirty years. Pacino was still relatively fresh in the eyes of the American public, as we (and when I say "we", I'm speaking for the U.S. audiences of 1975---I caught up with his earlier work later on through the wonder of VHS) had only witnessed his cooler & less manic acting performances of SERPICO & the two GODFATHERS. But he was allowed to cut loose here, and cut loose he did. It's pretty much a non-stop roller-coaster ride of emotions as the DOG DAY unfolds.
John Cazale (who will always remind me of Mike Krzyzewski {"Coach K.} from Duke U.) does a fine job in his own understated, 'psychoish' way. But this is really Al's show, and he doesn't disappoint. So pull up a chair and watch "The Midget" (as he's referred to in Robert Evans' autobio.) at the top of his game.