"Attica! Attica!"

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2011)

Seventies classic "Dog Day Afternoon" recounts the true story of a failed bank robbery that took place in Brooklyn on August 22, 1972. Small-time crooks Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) & Sal Naturile (John Cazale) get caught in the act and end up taking the bank's employees hostage. As the situation builds to a media frenzy Sonny tries to bargain with the authorities, who have their own ideas about ending the standoff.
Unsurprisingly, the script deviates from fact somewhat but it still maintains a sense of authenticity. The real-life Sonny was already an intriguing character and the commotion surrounding the event makes for compelling cinema. Screenwriter Frank Pierson ended up taking home the Oscar for best original screenplay, though I'm not sure why it wasn't in the adapted screenplay category since the story was based on a Life magazine article. In any case, the film was a deserving winner.
As for the acting, Al Pacino delivered one of the best performances of his career and was justly rewarded with an Oscar nomination. Chris Sarandon snagged another well-deserved nomination in support while John Cazale and Charles Durning also turned in standout supporting performances. Meanwhile, the remainder of the cast is consistently dependable.
Sidney Lumet's Oscar-nominated direction is, in a word, impressive. Most of the action is tied to one location but he keeps the narrative flowing with a documentary-style approach. Editor Dede Allen (who also received an Oscar nomination) also deserves credit for this. Musically, the film is pretty sparse, featuring an Elton John tune over the opening credits and little (if anything) else besides. However, this relative lack of music suits the picture.
In conclusion, "Dog Day Afternoon" grabs the viewer's attention early on and doesn't let go until the closing scene. The fine writing, acting and direction made it worthy of its Best Picture Oscar nomination in 1975 and it remains as vibrant today as it was thirty-six years ago.