Dog Day Afternoon

I had always heard of Sidney Lumet through text books, and readings about film. But never had I seen any of his work. From what I knew about him, he was a methodical, consumed by film kind of director and had enough knowledge to write several books. This style was what I immediately picked up on when we began watching his 1975 account of an actual bank hold up.

We are thrust immediately into the bank, just like they were. The story begins as they pull up. Through Lumet's massive tracking shots that span the length of the bank to the quick reaction shots sprinkled in, this scene has a life of its own. My favorite scene by far, because it plays with the pace of the scenario and human emotion beautifully. The interaction between the hesitant robbers and the nonchalance of the employee's, this sets the mood for the interaction between the two.

The screenwriter and Lumet's deep research into the actual event provided a near actual account which occurred at that Chase Manhattan Bank in Brooklyn, New York. Relying on the directorial methodology called 'the method,' Pacino consumed this character and went into a state of hysteria every time they rolled camera. His performance has been ranked #4 in Premiere Magazine's 100 top performances of all time.

I had no idea what to expect in this film, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was beautifully acted and well shot. The story was unique and engaging. A classic to say the least.