Al Pacino - Actor motivator.
- Thread starter Titalian
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I can see why people think he may "over act" in some roles, especially in movies like "Heat". Although he is able to pull it off and I do enjoy watching him. Ironically I think his work in the Godfather(s), not including #3 that movie was just awful, was some of his weaker stuff. Great movies but I just don't think his character was that tough to play. I think Freddo and Frankie Five Angels were more convincing in #2. I do appreciate the roles he chooses for himself where as De Niro, whose a great actor, has just been in so many terrible movies and makes bad choices when it come to accepting roles for himself.
Alfredo is as much a keen judge of talent as he is an actor, he took Russell Crowe to the next level in The Insider. Without that, Gladiator may not have been the runaway success it became. Other notables are Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey and Jessica Chastain. According to actors who've auditioned for him, if he's silent you're toast, if he coughs and clears his throat you're in.
Michelle tells the story:
Michelle tells the story:
One of the finest actors to come from the United States, Alfredo Pacino has always delivered intensity, clarity, vulnerability and bravura in his performances.
The fact that he can be a commanding presence in Theatre and Film just add to his cannon d'ouvre. Many still speak of his 'American Buffalo' by Mamet in the 80's.
The Crown, of course, are 'The Godfather' films. There are also jewels on that crown. 'Serpico', 'Dog Day Afternoon' and yes, even 'Dick Tracy' show the range and knowledge of his craft.
After such an extensive and distinguished catalogue of work his peers decided to present him with an Oscar for a Sunday-Night-Hallmark-Special titled: 'Scent of a Woman'. To this action, even the most flippant and callous film goer must slap the side of their head and utter the phrase: WHAT THE F**K!!??!!. But hey, even Gwyneth Paltrow has one (over Cate Blanchett) so we know know life in film can be "a cruel and hollow money trench where pimps and thieves run free and good men die like dogs."
Most recently, his work in 'Donnie Brasco' is beyond reproach. So, from entertaining his Grandmother in the living room to the sound stages of New York and Los Angeles, please keep working Al.
I'm always intrigued and respectful by what you'll do next.
The fact that he can be a commanding presence in Theatre and Film just add to his cannon d'ouvre. Many still speak of his 'American Buffalo' by Mamet in the 80's.
The Crown, of course, are 'The Godfather' films. There are also jewels on that crown. 'Serpico', 'Dog Day Afternoon' and yes, even 'Dick Tracy' show the range and knowledge of his craft.
After such an extensive and distinguished catalogue of work his peers decided to present him with an Oscar for a Sunday-Night-Hallmark-Special titled: 'Scent of a Woman'. To this action, even the most flippant and callous film goer must slap the side of their head and utter the phrase: WHAT THE F**K!!??!!. But hey, even Gwyneth Paltrow has one (over Cate Blanchett) so we know know life in film can be "a cruel and hollow money trench where pimps and thieves run free and good men die like dogs."
Most recently, his work in 'Donnie Brasco' is beyond reproach. So, from entertaining his Grandmother in the living room to the sound stages of New York and Los Angeles, please keep working Al.
I'm always intrigued and respectful by what you'll do next.
No doubt he is a highly talented actor and a very intelligent man.
Just curious why Scarface is not a popular choice here (looks like only mentioned 1ce)..it has influenced a lot of people and still does to this day...http://thegrio.com/2011/08/26/why-the-hip-hop-community-still-worships-scarface/
I haven't seen many of his movies that I can remember, however Scarface was powerful with a powerful message and I can watch it any day over and over again with out being bored of it. Maybe why I got out of the drug scene back when I was a teen as the message really hit me hard.
Is it because it is such an obvious choice, that you guys did not mention it often , or did you guys think his acting was not up to par to some of the other movies mentioned here.
IMO, Scarface is probably one of top 10 my fave movies of all time.
Just curious why Scarface is not a popular choice here (looks like only mentioned 1ce)..it has influenced a lot of people and still does to this day...http://thegrio.com/2011/08/26/why-the-hip-hop-community-still-worships-scarface/
I haven't seen many of his movies that I can remember, however Scarface was powerful with a powerful message and I can watch it any day over and over again with out being bored of it. Maybe why I got out of the drug scene back when I was a teen as the message really hit me hard.
Is it because it is such an obvious choice, that you guys did not mention it often , or did you guys think his acting was not up to par to some of the other movies mentioned here.
IMO, Scarface is probably one of top 10 my fave movies of all time.
Btw Scarface was Al's favourite as well. He enjoyed making that movie more than any other.
I like 'Scarface'.
Hugely entertaining film. Written by a young Oliver Stone. Put Michelle Pfieffer on the map. Eternally quotable and the epitome of 'Living Large'.
I'll watch it any chance and get and I'll also be the first one to tell you it's a glorious mess of a terrible film.
Arnold isn't really an actor but he is enjoyable to watch. but I agree that Pacino overacts a lot. his problem is that now he thinks he is a great actor and can't be controlled by his directors.
that's not to say he has no talent but he is not the greatest actor even of his generation
Scent of a Woman stands out because he plays an entirely different character, and I think it's one of his greater works.
He's totally different in Scarface too.
I agree, I thought Scent of a Woman was one of his best, I believe he played a realistic roll as a blind person.
I make a distinction between "younger Al Pacino" and "older Al Pacino" in terms of his performances.
The "younger Al Pacino" (i.e. Al Pacino in films he made during the 1970s into the early 1980s, in films like Panic in Needle Park, Godfather 1 and 2, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, And Justice for All, etc.) was an actor who gave restrained, well-modulated performances, demonstrating his versatility as among the finest actors of his generation, and deserving of every praise he's been given.
The "older Al Pacino" (i.e. Al Pacino in more recent years, perhaps starting around Scarface, and continuing onwards, but is especially apparent in films like Devil's Advocate) is an actor who often resorts to over-the-top overacting. The more restrained version of his younger years do re-appear occasionally, in films like Donnie Brasco, the remake of Insomnia, in certain scenes of Scent of a Woman (excluding the last scene), and in Glengarry Glen Ross, but these tend to be the exceptions rather than the rule. Admittedly, Pacino's overacting can be fun to watch, but it dismays me to see this in his performances given that he's capable of being so much more as an actor.
The "younger Al Pacino" (i.e. Al Pacino in films he made during the 1970s into the early 1980s, in films like Panic in Needle Park, Godfather 1 and 2, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, And Justice for All, etc.) was an actor who gave restrained, well-modulated performances, demonstrating his versatility as among the finest actors of his generation, and deserving of every praise he's been given.
The "older Al Pacino" (i.e. Al Pacino in more recent years, perhaps starting around Scarface, and continuing onwards, but is especially apparent in films like Devil's Advocate) is an actor who often resorts to over-the-top overacting. The more restrained version of his younger years do re-appear occasionally, in films like Donnie Brasco, the remake of Insomnia, in certain scenes of Scent of a Woman (excluding the last scene), and in Glengarry Glen Ross, but these tend to be the exceptions rather than the rule. Admittedly, Pacino's overacting can be fun to watch, but it dismays me to see this in his performances given that he's capable of being so much more as an actor.
