"Sal, Wyoming is not a country"

Rating: 8/10 (13 April 2008)

One of the most wild stories of a bank robbery to ever grace the big screen...and its all true.
Al Pacino and John Cazale are 2 of the best actors in the 70's, appearing in great movies like The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and The Deer Hunter. So when I began watching Dog Day Afternoon, I knew I would not be disappointed. I laughed at parts, sympathized at others, and over all enjoyed the movie.
Al Pacino stars as Sonny Wortzik, the leader and mastermind of the bank robbery that was supposed to take no more than 5 minutes. Sonny is quick-thinking and not afraid of the cops and media mounting around him.
John Cazale portrays Sal, Sonny's right-hand guy. Sal is much quieter than Sonny, and possibly more volatile. Sal's history is much shadier than Sonny's.
Along with the stars is a cast of a variety of side characters including Detective Eugene Moretti, the lead cop who constantly tries to trick Sonny and Sal into giving up. There's the bank manager, Mulvaney, whose only interest is the safety of his employees. There's Sylvia, a tough, leading employee who does not take abuse from Sonny and Sal. There's Sonny's "wife" Leon Shermer, who is panicky for Sonny's safety.
With a talented cast of moderately unknown actors, Dog Day Afternoon is a moving, interesting, unique film. It rightfully deserves its place at #161 on IMDb's top 250 (as of 4/13/08).
8/10