Dog Day Afternoon Reviews

This film is the 'mostly true' story of Sonny Wortzik (in real life his name was John Wojtowicz), a married man who tries to rob a bank in order to pay for his male lovers sex change operation. If you're an Al Pacino fan you're in for a real treat -- this is certainly among his finest performances.

'Dog Day Afternoon' is a classic crime movie with some great comic moments in there as well. The fact that Sonny is gay isn't a huge issue in the film. He's just a man who's robbing a bank, and the film shows that his intentions or his sexuality aren't really as important as the media make them seem. On the whole he's portrayed as a sympathetic character, but there are hints of a darker side to his personality, such as the descriptions of him coming from his wife and lover.

From start to finish this is a very entertaining film, with plenty of memorable scenes and moments. If you're an Al Pacino fan or a fan of crime thrillers, odds are you'll love this.

Masterful

'Dog Day Afternoon' tells the true story of Sonny (Al Pacino) and Sal (John Cazale). These two guys went into a bank in 1972 in Brooklyn to rob it. They could have been out in five minutes but things went terribly wrong. Instead of a robbery it became a hostage situation. And a media circus as well.

From the first second you will be totally in the movie. Afterwards I wanted to write my review and I was not able to remember how the music was, if there was any. It says something about how much the movie grabs you. The first part is very funny, I laughed a lot of times. The second part is more a drama and a thriller. Director Sidney Lumet creates a certain atmosphere for the movie that is just right with Pacino in one of his best performances is surrounded by a great supporting cast. He was nominated for an Oscar but didn't win it. One of the best performances from one of the greatest actors of all time. With any other actor this movie would be pretty good; with him it's truly memorable.

What a blinder!

I saw this film for the first time ever today and thought that it was absolutely fantastic!

Bank robbery goes a bit wrong, pacino becomes an anti-hero i won't say any more just watch it!!!

Likeable

Interesting twist on the usual heist movie scenario. Pacino of course is highly watchable. I very much enjoyed the 70s clothes, set, slang, etc.

The Dog gets the bone

Coming during his purple patch in the mid-70's when Pacino could not put a foot wrong in terms of the roles he chose. "Dog Day Afternoon" is based on the true story of incompetent bank robbers Sonny and Sal who for a brief period at the start of the social unrest of the 1970's became cultural anti-heroes amongst the people of New York.

Pacino's character attempts to appear menacing but his genuine vulnerability breaks through on many occasions, as a result he always commands tremendous empathy from the viewer. The audience is also drawn to Sal's character, played by John Cazale, whose genuine simplicity is exposed, for all to see.

As a result, Pacino's character is grappling with maintaining a relationship with those in the bank, Sal, the police and the crowd outside.

The strain caused by this as the film develops is expertly shown by the deterioration of Sonny.

Predating, the media age in which the "cult of celebrity" reigns supreme by at least 15 years. The film expertly satires the media and its all consuming power which would extend over the coming decades.

The real reward in the vault is another top notch Pacino performance.

Brilliant Pacino

Bank robbery gone wrong is the understatment of the year for Bi-sexual Sonny (Pacino) and Unstable Sal (Cazale).

This is a great film by a brilliant director. Lumet's film, amazingly based on a true story, makes you laugh but also targets other emotions. You are really rooting for Sonny and Sal throughout this unsuccessful heist.

Pacino is amazing and you can see the potential of this heavyweight actor.

Supurb

9/10

Best film you've never heard of!

This is one of hose films which has only recently gained any critical acclaim. With the popularity of Pacino, people have started to look back at his early work, and this really is a gem.

He plays a character who has an idea to rob a bank, but doesnt really have the brains or staff to carry it through. I found this all quite amusing, in a Keystone Kops kind of way.

Its not your typical Pacino character, he isnt in control in this film. Despite the fact a bank is being robbed,you almost or left wanting them to get away with it.... however bad the robbers are however, is almost matched by the incompetance of the police.

Well worth a watch.

A towering performance from Pacino.

Excellent characterisation from a superb script and a towering performance from Al Pacino.

Perhaps intentionally, the story moves uncomfortably from farce to tragedy, challenging the viewers laughter at the early scenes. However, the revelation of Sonny's - the Al Pacino character - motive for the crime comes as an unexplained shock. Without any hints, Sonny's surprising and complex sexuality is difficult to accept. We have seen such emotional and character-revealing incidents that this out-of-the-blue revelation suggests that the screenwriter and director were unable to create any character background to support this turn of events.

Nontheless, this is a fine movie with some wonderfully dramatic moments: Sonny's communications with his family and 'wife', for example: a gripping story of a true incident.

If you are renting, don't bother with the extras CD which, although quite interesting, doesn't really add anything necessary.

Pacino on form

This film shows a different side to Al Pacino's acting abilities - he really puts on a great performance in this role, subtly camping up the character into a very real, very complex person.

Based on a true life story and set in 1970's America it depicts attitudes and prejudices that are totally relevant today e.g gay marriage, smoking issues.

Entertaining, funny and also with dark tones running throughout, this is an intelligent piece of work that works very well.

Great

Totaly entertaining a real top class film. Pacino really is brilliant in this, completely different from his later 'shouting is the key' characters.

If you like Pacino you'll love him even more after this and if you hate him you'll get a better feeling of why he is held in such high regard.

Oh yeah and it's directed by the same guy as 'Serpico'! (nuff said). Rent and enjoy this refreshing, (even if it is 30 yrs old!) original and absorbing bit of film making.