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Rating: Dog Day Afternoon, released way back in 1975, is truly an excellent film featuring two top-tier actors (Al Pacino and John Cazale) and many other lesser-known but definitely effective and commendable actors. The film, directed by a Sidney Lumet in a state of grace, is based on a true story that took place in Brooklyn in 1972 during which three nervous and maladjusted local boys decide to rob a small bank in the area; upon arrival, one of them, Stevie, lacks the courage to face the situation and decides to leave, Sal (John Cazale) and Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) stay and are completing their heist (which would eventually turn out to be a bust as the robbery would yield only a few thousand dollars) when a passerby notices what's happening and alerts the police. The two are initially in a panic and fear the worst, then Sonny realizes that, with cunning and care, he can turn the situation to his advantage, having the hostages (with whom he then establishes a cooperative relationship with some) to exploit to his advantage. The situation progresses in a truly fascinating way, Sonny becomes a public figure for a few hours rallying the delirious crowd with the cry of "Attica! Attica!" as a protest against the police who were behaving improperly towards him. Soon things seem to be going well for Sonny, who decides to ask Police Commissioner Moretti (Charles Durning) to get him a flight to escape with his friend Sal. At this point, the FBI takes over the situation; the van that is supposed to transport Sonny, Sal, and the hostages arrives at the airport, everything seems to be going smoothly, it's the middle of the night and by now Sonny and Sal are in front of the plane that will take them away; but... the cynical FBI agent at the wheel pulls out a gun from a hidden drawer and shoots Sal, the hostages exit and Sonny is captured and arrested.
A truly high-quality film, it almost always keeps the level of pathos high thanks to the screenplay (which would win an Oscar the following year) and the skill of most of the characters; we find a vintage Al Pacino, fresh from the success of The Godfather Part II (1974). Al manages to create an effective and highly captivating character for the audience, thus earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor (a nomination also received by Chris Sarandon in the role of Leon, Sonny's "wife"); John Cazale also deserves an honorable mention, who, in the simplicity of the character of Sal, so silent and shy, about whose life absolutely nothing is known, manages to put in all the commitment and skill that distinguished him in films of the caliber of The Deer Hunter, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and The Conversation (a less successful film compared to the others) before sadly passing away just as he was filming The Deer Hunter. In short, a first-rate film and absolutely recommended!! Absolutely not to be missed!!
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