Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

to quote the 2001 film "Swordfish" (An average movie at best) "Take Dog Day Afternoon, for example. Arguably Pacino's best work, short of Scarface and Godfather Part 1, of course. Masterpiece of directing, easily Lumet's best. The cinematography, the acting, the screenplay, all top-notch." Well I have to agree with Mr. Travolta at this stage(all Scientology aside)I think Dog Day Afternoon is the most realistically played out "heist" movie ever and is directionally shot almost as a "bio pic" (playing off real life events) and although the plot is not exactly perfect one has to forgive a screenwriter when adapting from a true story. However the strongest point of this movie is the relationships the two main protagonists build even though they are wielding guns and robbing a bank they still manage to befriend they're victims and even rally support from crowds outside. How Pacino manages to get your sympathy for a insane character is a monument to his truly outstanding acting ability is. Dog Day Afternoon even got a quote into the AFI top 100 movie quotes when Sonny shouts: " Attica! Attica!" referencing the prison riots of the time. If i was to critique this movie I do have one small problem, the very uncomfortable homosexual angle which isn't dealt very well and feels Un-needed artistically. Again though being adapted from a real life story what can we do. This film is a one of a kind and breaks the traditional Hollywood stencil for a movie and does so in magnificent style.