The name of the movie that I chose is called Dog Day Afternoon. Although it was mentioned in class, it happens to be one of my favorite films. With the plot revolving around a bank robbery, there’s your giant red flag of criminal Justice. The deals with many apparent and underlining themes like, homosexuality socio-economics, human relations and of course right and wrong. Perhaps one of the most interesting things about the film is it’s taboo (especially for it’s time and the time of the actual events) love story. The film stars Al Pachino as the main character Sonny who I would call an Anti-hero.
He is a bank robber but he believes his cause is righteous. He is also trying to get money for his mother who is also finacelly strapped. He is quite obuisley not your typical bank robber, one of the first things he says after he pulls a gun is “I’m” a catholic and I don’t want to hurt anybody. ” The other primary character is Sal. To me Sal isn’t all that intresting of a character, he seems to be some what of a lackey who doesn’t have much brains. One of his main concerns is that the people on the news say that he too is a homosexual.
This writer Theo may have a bias towards Sal because, the actor played Fredo apposite Pachino in the godfather series but that a whole other paper. I believe the plot was really good because, is should what other wise good men will do under extreme circumstances such as finacal deress. It does also show the age old theme that crime doesn’t pay. Perhaps the most ironic thing is that his partner who he is robbing the bank for doesn’t support him in his scheme what so ever he wont even talk to sunny inatally because he is afraid of being hurt by him.
It also touches on the media and there sensationalism. For example Pachino’s famous Attica chants. Also when the pizza boy comes to the bank to delver the food he screams “I’m a fucking star”. I think the basic message was about the state of issues of the time and crime doesn’t pay. Considering Sonny had to server a 20 year sentences and Sal ended up dead I would say that the theme did a pretty damn good job of sending this message.
I think it’s a sad story considering Sonny had a wife other than his boyfriend and he didn’t really accomplish anything except getting his friend killed but it is a great movie and I can see why its consirerd a classic. I would definitely recommend this movie for all thee above reasons and it’s a different take on the bad guy. It doesn’t really affect my opinon as far as rehab goes but it may to others. I guess I understand not to rob a bank not that I would any way but chances are there’s no way to get away with it.
Every one has money problems now and than not every one would go rob a bank to solve there problem. After watching this film again for the dozen times I really felt for Sonny though and I do find my self all ways wishing he would have made it to that plane. I find my self questing why some one would do something like that for love but it’s not the first crazy thing that’s been done for it. They say love and justice are both blind and I think that this movie dose a great job of showing that point. Lastly Pachino was define deserving of the attetion he got from thee academy for this work.
