Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
#1Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Posted: 8/30/08 at 1:25pm
Some friends put on the DVD of this recently and I sat back and prepared to watch it thinking it was going to be another who-gets-shot-next blood and gore fest. How wrong my pre-conceptions were! I was rather amazed on a number of levels. A black comedy, a commentary upon society’s adaptation to mass-media, a challenge to the assumption that the ordinary person will take the side of the police and a strong and determined gay man (albeit channelling those characteristics in the wrong direction) portrayed in an age when I thought we were all supposed to be weak, insipid and incapable.
And virtually nothing for the gore-bores. I was well-impressed.
The film was also interesting for the routes it could have taken but didn’t. Why did Sonny love Leon so much that he’d even be prepared to attempt a bank robbery, particularly when that love wasn’t reciprocated? Or the nature of his relationship with his “car crash” parents.
wink
Featured Actor Joined: 11/3/04
#2re: Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Posted: 8/31/08 at 8:46am
I watched this movie Saturday morning. It's one of my favorites.
Sonny was taking care of a wife, three kids, and paying his parents rent. I think he saw himself as the provider for everyone.
I'm not getting the "car crash" parents reference.
#2re: Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Posted: 8/31/08 at 8:59am
Leon, when being interviewed by the police, referred to Sonny's parents as a "car crash".
I wasn't sure what "Attica" was supposed to mean, when Sonny is goading the crowds. I tried googling it but that didn't really help either.
#3re: Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Posted: 8/31/08 at 9:15am
Attica is a New York prison. In the early 70s the prisoners staged a massive riot over ill treatment and poor conditions. The police reacted forcefully and some prisoners were killed in the process.
Now, when police are seen to be using excessive force, a crowd will sometimes chant, "Attica, Attica" as a way to evoke this reference.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#4re: Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Posted: 8/31/08 at 9:32am
A really first rate film, one of the best of the 70s. It makes me sad that nothing near this good is being made today.
My favorite Pacino performance, and John Cazale is simply brilliant as Sal, but there isn't a weak performance in the entire film.
As good as any film any time, anywhere.
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