Last night I watched an interview of Al Pacino done by Larry King. Although I don't watch King very much since I consider him to be not that great of an interviewer, I couldn't pass up the chance of seeing the very private Pacino in a rare television appearance. Although he may not be the most eloquent speaker when it comes to interviews, Pacino talks directly and passionatley particularily about acting. For me he's the greatest actor of his generation, and is probably the best actor to get away with overacting since he makes his performances so enjoyable. I tell everyone I know that even a bad Al Pacino movie can't be all bad simply because it has Al Pacino.
This past month, Al Pacino was honored by the AFI Lifetime Achievment Award, so in honor of his award let's take a look back at some of the masters best works.
The Godfather trilogy: In his most famous role as Michael Coleone, Pacino takes us from an innocent war hero thrown into a criminal underground where he loses his soul and is never able to find the redemption he begs for in the end. Michael has become one of cinema's greatest tragic figures, and Pacino carries his burdon through these three films.
Serpico: Pacino plays real life Frank Serpico who goes after corrupt cops, only to end up physically and emotionally wounded in the end. But Pacino makes his struggle all the more real and powerful as he plays a man who not only went against police convention but ultumatly the whole system.
Dog Day Afternoon: In this true story about a bank robber who tries to steal money for his lovers sex change operation, Pacino does the impossible by making this man into a fully rounded character and someone you could root for. His phone call with his wife is one of the great acting scenes ever.
Scent of a Woman: Despite the flaws of the script, Pacino delivers perhaps his most entertaining role ever as a suicidal blind former army commander who takes young Chris O'Donnell on a weekend of discovery. The film is remembered today souly for Pacino's work and of course the tango scene.
Heat: One of the great cops and robbers sagas ever filmed and now considered a modern classic, this pits cop Pacino against master thief Robert De Niro. It's highly stylized with these two acting heavy weights ot the top of their game.
Donnie Brasco: Probably his best latter day performance as a small time gangster who trains a hidden informant (Johnny Depp also brilliant) the ways of a wise guy. Pacino is a long way from Michael Coleone with this character but he makes him just as believable and just as tragic.
The Insider: Russell Crowe took most of the honors with his potrayal of a famed whistle blower who tried to take down big tobacco, but Pacino is the other hero as a famed news producer who puts his career on the line for the good of the story. Not since "All the Presidents Men" as journalism been portrayed so realistically or heroically.
Insomnia: Pacino in cop mode again but this time with a guilty conscience. After he kills his partner by accident, he thrust in a game of blackmail with a killer (Robin Williams) who witnessed the crime.
Also don't forget "Carlito's Way", "Scarface", "Dick Tracy", and "And Justice for All.." (Mainly for the "You're out of order..." speach he does at the end.)
This past month, Al Pacino was honored by the AFI Lifetime Achievment Award, so in honor of his award let's take a look back at some of the masters best works.
The Godfather trilogy: In his most famous role as Michael Coleone, Pacino takes us from an innocent war hero thrown into a criminal underground where he loses his soul and is never able to find the redemption he begs for in the end. Michael has become one of cinema's greatest tragic figures, and Pacino carries his burdon through these three films.
Serpico: Pacino plays real life Frank Serpico who goes after corrupt cops, only to end up physically and emotionally wounded in the end. But Pacino makes his struggle all the more real and powerful as he plays a man who not only went against police convention but ultumatly the whole system.
Dog Day Afternoon: In this true story about a bank robber who tries to steal money for his lovers sex change operation, Pacino does the impossible by making this man into a fully rounded character and someone you could root for. His phone call with his wife is one of the great acting scenes ever.
Scent of a Woman: Despite the flaws of the script, Pacino delivers perhaps his most entertaining role ever as a suicidal blind former army commander who takes young Chris O'Donnell on a weekend of discovery. The film is remembered today souly for Pacino's work and of course the tango scene.
Heat: One of the great cops and robbers sagas ever filmed and now considered a modern classic, this pits cop Pacino against master thief Robert De Niro. It's highly stylized with these two acting heavy weights ot the top of their game.
Donnie Brasco: Probably his best latter day performance as a small time gangster who trains a hidden informant (Johnny Depp also brilliant) the ways of a wise guy. Pacino is a long way from Michael Coleone with this character but he makes him just as believable and just as tragic.
The Insider: Russell Crowe took most of the honors with his potrayal of a famed whistle blower who tried to take down big tobacco, but Pacino is the other hero as a famed news producer who puts his career on the line for the good of the story. Not since "All the Presidents Men" as journalism been portrayed so realistically or heroically.
Insomnia: Pacino in cop mode again but this time with a guilty conscience. After he kills his partner by accident, he thrust in a game of blackmail with a killer (Robin Williams) who witnessed the crime.
Also don't forget "Carlito's Way", "Scarface", "Dick Tracy", and "And Justice for All.." (Mainly for the "You're out of order..." speach he does at the end.)
No comments:
Post a Comment