This is an update to a blog I wrote early last summer regarding my respect for one of the great actors of our time, Al Pacino. After writing this blog I was surprised and delighted to have received a gift of two DVD's, “Dog Day Afternoon” and “And Justice For All”, by a new client/friend of mine.
Of the two films the one I enjoyed most was “And Justice for All”. I think it is because of the passion the main character had for his work as a defense attorney and for his constant struggle to keep from becoming cynical about the justice system and from selling out his soul to “go-along-to-get-along” which would have allowed the justice system to crumble and would have destroyed his soul.
“Dog Day Afternoon” was a very good film but it just didn't have the same effect on me as it has with many people I have spoken with about it. I can see why this film is one that is considered by writers and directors when creating bank robbery type films. The characters were certainly colorful (to say the least) and the story was well executed but it just didn’t evoke the same emotions in me like AJFA did. I admit I am no professional film critic, but I do know what I like and what I don't like.
Another film that I rented from Netflix which I really found completely fascinating was Al’s first film “Panic In Needle Park”. This film is based on a real place that existed in NYC in the early 70’s (I think in Harlem but I cannot be certain) called Needle Park because of the heroine junkies that “lived” (if you want to call it that….but that to me is more surviving not thriving which is what living means to me) there. The raw and fresh young Pacino played a middle-man drug dealer trying to eek out an existence in what was a dark and dreary time in our country and in particular in NYC (remember NYC went bankrupt by the mid 70’s). Examining this individual in how he operates his life and engages in love with a young, lost, naïve girl from the mid-west was captivating. It is a tragic story, a love story and most importantly it was a realistic story rich with emotions and a life of struggles….which is a gift that Mr. Pacino graciously shares with us, viewers of entertainment and observers of life!
The most recent and last film I rented and watched was “Serpico”. Based on a true story of a NYC cop in the 70’s this film is so inspiring for me and I think vital to bring back to the theaters today to remind older generations of and educate younger generations of the importance of living with a sense of integrity and honesty. Crime and corruption anywhere is detrimental to any struggling society, but when you have crime and corruption occurring by the very people who are paid to “protect and serve” the community they live in or around….this can completely destroy the very fabric of a decent society and create hopelessness among the masses. To think that a lone cop could have the courage to go to work everyday, endure harassment by co-workers for not being “on-the-take” and to be able to sit, watch his co-workers commit crimes against some of the weakest, most vulnerable people in society and then to have his superiors lie and cover-up the crimes is BEYOND my comprehension!
Definitely one person for which it would be a great honor to meet it would be Frank Serpico…..and the great man who portrayed him…..AAAAALLLLLLLLL PAAAAACCCHHHHIIIINNNNNOOOOO….Attica, Attica..Attica
KISSES……. Emma
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