Why does Dog Day Afternoon Afternoon, starring Al Pacino and John Cazale, continue to be such a great movie?

Forgotten John Cazale

Director Sidney Lumet and star Al Pacino previously worked together on `` Serpico '' (1973). Also, Lance Henrickson, who was cast as Agent Murphy before his breakout role as Bishop in Aliens (1986) (he originally auditioned for the role of Sonny's lover Léon: The Professional), After appearing in this film, he was appointed to director Sidney Lumet's `` Network '' (1976) and `` Prince of the City '' (1981). Furthermore, James Broderick, who played the other agent Sheldon, is Matthew Broderick's biological father. Unfortunately, after this film, he suddenly passed away at the young age of 55, but his son Matthew will be working with Sidney Lumet in `` Family Business '' (1989) in his place. Among the main cast, we must not forget John Cazale, who played Sonny's sidekick, Saru.

John Cazale and Al Pacino played brothers in `` The Godfather '' (1972). We were best friends in real life. The actual monkey he played was a boy who was only 15 years old at the time of the incident. Therefore, it is said that there was some objection to the casting. Frank Pearson, who was in charge of the screenplay, said, ``I drew him like Botticelli's angelic boy,'' but John Cazale doesn't look like an angel at all. To begin with, Casal was 40 years old at the time of release. Even director Sidney Lumet, who was recommended by Al Pacino, expressed disapproval because of the huge difference in image.

"Dog Day Afternoon" (c) 2007 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

When Al Pacino played Sonny, it was important for him to understand that Sonny and Sal were not "close". The person who shared that approach was John Cazale, who was also a stage mate. As a result, director Lumet was also fascinated by Casal's acting approach. The casting of Al Pacino and John Cazale made it possible for the film to depict Sonny and Sal gradually coming to terms with each other. If it had been directed according to the script, ``Afternoon of Dog Day Afternoon'' would not have been what we see today.

The scene changes and it becomes clear that the aforementioned ``Amorina of the Past'' was the song that was being played from the car radio in the car where Sonny and Saru were waiting as they planned to rob a bank. The title was ``Beautiful Amorina''). The lyrics of this song are about a man who is in love with his girlfriend, who has the unusual name of Amolina. In other words, ``Dog Day Afternoon'' is a song that evokes the relationship between Sonny and his lover.

"Amorina"

And, coincidentally, it now sounds like a song about John Cazale. Cazale passed away in 1978 at the age of 42, having appeared in only five films. The three films in which he appeared, ``The Godfather,'' ` `The Godfather Part II '' (1974), and `` The Deer Hunter ,'' won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and `` The Conversation '' (1974) won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival (at the time). The work that won the highest award. All of the works in which the late Cazar appeared are timeless masterpieces. ``Dog Day Afternoon,'' in which Cazale starred, is undoubtedly a great movie.

【source】

“Dog Day Afternoon” theater pamphlet

"Dog Day Afternoon" Blu-ray video bonus

IMDb “Dog Day Afternoon” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/

Sankei Shimbun 2019.2.12 https://www.sankei.com/affairs/news/190212/afr1902120007-n1.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairshttps ://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp/VisitingJapan/mofa.pdf

Text: Takeo Matsuzaki

Film critic Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media, majoring in film. After working on TV and movie sets, he turned to writing specialized in movies. Currently appearing on TV, radio, and online distribution programs such as ``Plus'' and ``Japan Group.'' He has contributed numerous articles to ``Kinema Junpo'', ``ELLE'', movie theater pamphlets, etc. Currently, he is a member of the Kinema Junpo Best Ten selection committee, a judge for the ELLE Cinema Awards, the Tanabe Benkei Film Festival, and the Creators Factory section of the Kyoto International Film Festival. Co-authored “Modern Movie Terminology Dictionary” (Kinema Junposha) and others.

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