A Filmmaker's Guide to: Al Pacino

In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.

Al Pacino

Who is he?

Normally called one of the greatest actors of the film and stage of all time, Al Pacino sets the bar for characters in roles from Italian Gangsters to Shakespearean Outlaws. There's something really quite amazing about Al Pacino's acting since he can practically play any character and seems to have done that over the course of his career. Al Pacino's career has been one filled with great movies, incredible roles and even more amazing acting. He may be getting on in years, but if you have watched "The Irishman" you will be able to tell that Al Pacino has lost none of his charm and his talent.

Let us explore some of his best films and what made him great in them:

"The Godfather 1-3" (1972 to 1990)

I think many people remember Al Pacino as the man who plays Michael Corleone, the one who soon becomes 'The Godfather'. It is renowned as being one of his most complex roles but is also one of his first roles and his very first role in a blockbuster film which went on to win big in the Oscars of the following years.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

A biographical film based on a real person and real events, Al Pacino portrays Sonny. One thing I love about this role is its humanity - Al Pacino presents as both a brutal criminal and someone who is so capable of authentic emotion that you don't know whether you actually have the capacity to condemn him based on his crimes.

Scarface (1983)

In this remake of an older movie, Al Pacino portrays one of his most well-known characters: Tony Montana. A through and through gangster with this strange temperament which gives off an unstable vibe, Al Pacino naturalises the criminal by making it seem easy and effective to be so. The instability leads us down the rabbit hole of an almost Shakespearean tragedy in the last few scenes of the film.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

I remember reading the book just after seeing the film for the first time and I was quite shocked by how brilliant Al Pacino portrayed the blind man Frank. It is a brilliant role and completely challenging for Pacino because he has to not only pretend to be blind, but he must be convincing as well - both of which are extremely difficult whilst trying to make the most of the storyline at hand. The fact he won an Academy Award for this is just brilliant.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

In this, obviously, Al Pacino revives his great role as the gangster and yet, he does it with something more complex. We also have Johnny Depp, a man who is supposed to infiltrate this gang - Al Pacino must act within the nature of both being double crossed, and in the nature of being completely trustworthy to the audience. It is a great role for him to play and a great chance to get two great actors on screen together.

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

I know this one is a bit obscure, but I do think that Al Pacino plays one of the greatest Shylocks in all of history. I love the quality of mercy, the almost incapability and subtle pity he brings to the role. It is a brilliant almost post-modern style of the role which, I do not think Shakespeare really intended given the fact he lived in a certain time. But Al Pacino relights this role with the face of anti-Semitism being the guise by which he uses to gain sympathy from the audience rather than villainy.

Conclusion

There are more movies, plays and even television shows we can name in order to present the true talents of Al Pacino, but these are my own personal favourites that I hope you can endure.