Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) A pair of bank robbers find themselves media stars when the plan goes wrong.

Directed by Sidney Lumet                            Starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning

A cutting edge and controversial story in its day, this became one of the touchstone great movies of the ‘70s. Based on the true story of a gay man who robs a bank to raise money for his trans lover’s sex change operation. What would be seen as timely today was unheard of in 1975. Some actors had reservations about playing gay characters. And those characters were not treated as caricatures. These were real people, trying to do what they can for themselves and those they love.

The problem was that they weren’t really cut out to be bank robbers. The plan goes wrong almost immediately. The police and FBI are at a loss about what to do as well. While events like this have become more common since then (the actual robbery took place in 1969), Sonny Wortzik (Pacino) quickly makes use of media coverage to his advantage. It’s a wild card that the NYPD of the day isn’t prepared to handle.

A great cast combines with a solid script and director Lumet to bring the high pressure feeling through the screen. Al Pacino as the conflicted mastermind, John Cazale (best known as Fredo from “The Godfather” and an actor with far too few credits in his short career) as the deeply disturbed partner, Sal Naturale. They form the center of the story, trying to find their way through to their goals. Around them revolve some fabulous character actors including Charles Durning, James Broderick and Carol Kane. A special nod has to go to the city of New York itself. Director Sidney Lumet encouraged the locals to react just the way they would if it was an actual robbery. So, the people hanging out of windows live in those apartments and most of the crowds are just locals hanging out, getting into the spirit of it all.

What is astounding in all of this is the humanity of all the characters. Neither Sonny nor Sal become cardboard cutouts. Each is a real person. They have depth and pain. The clearly see the robbery as a “victimless crime” and are deeply troubled by what begins to happen. That combination of crime thriller intensity and human storytelling takes the movie to the next level.

Why You Will Like It – Pacino in an iconic role in the middle of an intense human story.

Rating – ***** Highly Recommended