Although it’s hard to compete withThe Godfather, there are some other movies that fans of Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster classic need to check out. Thecast ofThe Godfathermovies is one of its great strengths. It’s rare to see so many legendary actors operating at the top of their game, but Al Pacino and John Cazale did work together afterThe Godfather Part II,as they made a critically-acclaimed crime drama just a year later. Seeing them rekindle their on-screen dynamic is a must-watch for any fans ofThe Godfather,even though they’re playing completely different characters.
Al Pacino’s performance is one big reason whyThe Godfatherstill holds up today, but John Cazale also deserves a lot of credit for his role as Fredo Corleone. Even thoughThe Godfatherwas Cazale’s big-screen debut, his performance showed that he had a right to be there alongside Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan and the other big-hitters in the cast.Cazale made just five moviesin his career - each of them Best Picture nominees - but he tragically died of lung cancer at the age of 42 in 1978. His movies survive as a testament to his skills.
Dog Day Afternoon Is Perfect For Fans Of The Godfather
Pacino And Cazale Team Up In A Tense Crime Thriller
Fans ofThe Godfatherneed to check outDog Day Afternoon,Sidney Lumet’s 1975 heist thriller starring Al Pacino and John Cazale as two bank robbers who find themselves in way over their heads. What the thieves plan as a simple in-and-out robbery turns into a protracted hostage situation on a boiling-hot day in New York City.Dog Day Afternoonhas gone down as one of thebest heist moviesof all time, even thoughit’s a rare example of a heist movie based on a real-life crime. Its real-world context gives it a frantic, urgent atmosphere as the tension rises inside the bank.
Cazale once again proves himself as a superb character actor inDog Day Afternoon.Like Fredo Corleone, his character has a nervous disposition, and he wants to latch on to someone else in power. What makes him different is the subtle feeling of volatile danger that Cazale gives the character, as if he’s ready to blow at any moment.Dog Day Afternoonwas Cazale’s first movie without Francis Ford Coppola as director, but Sidney Lumet has always been the kind of director who can get the most out of his actors.Lumet also showed with12 Angry Menthat he’s a master at working in confined spaces.
There are a few key differences betweenThe Godfathermovies andDog Day Afternoon.For instance, whileThe Godfatherhas a grand, operatic feeling,Dog Day Afternoonis far smaller in terms of its scope. However, this isn’t a criticism, as it means thatDog Day Afternooncan really zero in on its characters, asthe pressure-cooker atmosphere of the heist forces them into a difficult corner. Overall, despite a few differences,Dog Day Afternoonis a must-watch for fans ofThe Godfather,with a similarly entertaining approach to the crime genre and great performances all round.
Al Pacino Delivers One Of His Greatest Performances In Dog Day Afternoon
Pacino Continues His Hot Streak After The Godfather Part II
Dog Day Afternoonis one ofAl Pacino’s best movies, and undoubtedly one of his best performances. He was initally reluctant to take the role, since he wanted to rest for a while afterThe Godfather Part II.Fortunately, he changed his mind, and he even raised his levels by channeling his exhaustion into his character.To portray Sonny’s exasperated state of mind, Pacino limited the amount of food he ate and the number of hours he slept each night.This helped give him the wiry, unkempt appearance that reflects Sonny’s panicked internal state.
Pacino’s performance is key to carrying the film through its big tonal shifts.
Dog Day Afternoonfeels like a comedy for the first half, with Pacino sliding around the polished floors of the bank, struggling to reach the security characters and sweating as the cops close in. Sonny and his accomplice are stricken with the kind of bad luck that only ever seems to take place in farcical comedies and cartoons, but it’s all too real for them. Eventually, the reality of the situation sets in, andDog Day Afternoonbecomes a tense, claustrophobic thriller. Pacino’s performance is key to carrying the film through this tonal shift. Some might argue that his best performance came inThe Godfather, butDog Day Afternooncontains some of his best work.
