***SPOILER ALERT***
Plot: B+
This movie is based on true event that took place in New York City on August 22, 1972, in which John Stanley Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile (plus another accomplice that backs out at the last minute) attempted to rob a Chase Manhattan bank. Instead of a quick ‘get in-get out’ robbery, it turned into a 14-hour hostage situation. During the ordeal, JSW becomes a media celebrity. Although JSW sold the rights to the movie, he claims that only 30% of it is accurate.
This movie is based on true event that took place in New York City on August 22, 1972, in which John Stanley Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile (plus another accomplice that backs out at the last minute) attempted to rob a Chase Manhattan bank. Instead of a quick ‘get in-get out’ robbery, it turned into a 14-hour hostage situation. During the ordeal, JSW becomes a media celebrity. Although JSW sold the rights to the movie, he claims that only 30% of it is accurate.
When the movie first started, I messaged a friend and asked if the entire movie would take place in the bank. Once I received a reply that said ‘yes,’ I pretty much rolled my eyes (I was skeptical that it would hold my attention). With that being said, 15 minutes into the movie, I did not want them to leave the bank! I thought it was the perfect setting and I was ready to sit back and watch the situation unfold. Shortly after they enter the bank, things start to go downhill very quickly. Sonny and Sal’s inexperience leads them to haphazard attempts to control the situation.
Acting/Characters: B+
All the characters were interesting, but Sonny and Sal stood out the most; both in their own ways!
Al Pacino plays the role of Wojtowics (as Sonny Wortzik). He is able to display so much depth to the character and his performance is able to keep the audience engaged and very entertained (which applies to the crowd of people around the bank, as well as viewers of the movie). Regardless of whether Sonny was shouting or silent, his emotions felt very authentic.
John Cazale’s character Sal Naturile, is awkward at times and seemingly innocent. For the most part, he was quiet and laid back, but there were a few parts that overturned his somber demeanor and made it seems as if he could fly off the handle at any minute. Although Sal seldomly spoke, whatever he said was pretty funny:
“Sonny, they're saying there are two homosexuals in here...I'm not a homosexual”
Charles Durning is Detective Moretti who is in charge of the situation. He had an amazing ability to simultaneously control negotiations with Sonny, the crazy crowd of onlookers, the news reporters, and his own police force that seem to be trigger-happy.
Script: B+
The 1976 Academy Award win for Best Writing, Original Screenplay was very well deserved! The dialogue is funny and witty. I didn’t realize until the movie was over how strong the script really was.
Other parts of the dialogue I liked:
Sonny: So what country do you want to go to?
Sal: Wyoming.
Sonny: Sal, Wyoming’s not a country.
TV Anchorman: Sonny, you could give up?
Sonny: Give up? Right. Have you ever been in prison?
TV Anchorman: No!
Sonny: No! Well let's talk about something you fucking know about, okay?
Sonny: ATTICA! ATTICA! REMEMBER ATTICA?
Sonny: I hope he [kills me] because he hates my guts, not because it’s his job.
John Cazale’s character Sal Naturile, is awkward at times and seemingly innocent. For the most part, he was quiet and laid back, but there were a few parts that overturned his somber demeanor and made it seems as if he could fly off the handle at any minute. Although Sal seldomly spoke, whatever he said was pretty funny:
“Sonny, they're saying there are two homosexuals in here...I'm not a homosexual”
Charles Durning is Detective Moretti who is in charge of the situation. He had an amazing ability to simultaneously control negotiations with Sonny, the crazy crowd of onlookers, the news reporters, and his own police force that seem to be trigger-happy.
Script: B+
The 1976 Academy Award win for Best Writing, Original Screenplay was very well deserved! The dialogue is funny and witty. I didn’t realize until the movie was over how strong the script really was.
Other parts of the dialogue I liked:
Sonny: So what country do you want to go to?
Sal: Wyoming.
Sonny: Sal, Wyoming’s not a country.
TV Anchorman: Sonny, you could give up?
Sonny: Give up? Right. Have you ever been in prison?
TV Anchorman: No!
Sonny: No! Well let's talk about something you fucking know about, okay?
Sonny: ATTICA! ATTICA! REMEMBER ATTICA?
Sonny: I hope he [kills me] because he hates my guts, not because it’s his job.
Sonny: Kiss me.
Det. Moretti: What?
Sonny: Kiss me. When I'm being fucked, I like to get kissed a lot.
Overall: B+
Pacino is fully immersed into the character and the situation, so Sonny’s dim-witted nature makes it easy for the viewer to grow fond of him and want him to succeed.
The movie is able to keep your attention with the dramatic, tense, suspenseful and funny aspects. There was a great blend of tragedy and comedy.
The mood and atmosphere created really drew me in, and I felt as if I was one of the people in the crowd of supporters.
It was very well put together; bank heist movies can get really jumpy, but this movie didn’t, it flowed smoothly and moved at a good pace.
Because nothing about the situation in the movie seemed to be exaggerated, it was an honest and simple portrayal of a bank robbery gone wrong (cough*Murphy’s Law*cough).
I wanted to mention that I was caught off guard regarding the portrayal of homosexuality. It was a fair presentation of a subject that wasn’t exactly accepted in the 1970s.
Even having watched this movie for the first time in 2011, I truly appreciate how well this movie was made back in the 1970s; it is a solid film that is able to stand the test of time, and still be enjoyable many years after its release.
Det. Moretti: What?
Sonny: Kiss me. When I'm being fucked, I like to get kissed a lot.
Overall: B+
Pacino is fully immersed into the character and the situation, so Sonny’s dim-witted nature makes it easy for the viewer to grow fond of him and want him to succeed.
The movie is able to keep your attention with the dramatic, tense, suspenseful and funny aspects. There was a great blend of tragedy and comedy.
The mood and atmosphere created really drew me in, and I felt as if I was one of the people in the crowd of supporters.
It was very well put together; bank heist movies can get really jumpy, but this movie didn’t, it flowed smoothly and moved at a good pace.
Because nothing about the situation in the movie seemed to be exaggerated, it was an honest and simple portrayal of a bank robbery gone wrong (cough*Murphy’s Law*cough).
I wanted to mention that I was caught off guard regarding the portrayal of homosexuality. It was a fair presentation of a subject that wasn’t exactly accepted in the 1970s.
Even having watched this movie for the first time in 2011, I truly appreciate how well this movie was made back in the 1970s; it is a solid film that is able to stand the test of time, and still be enjoyable many years after its release.
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