best film: The Godfather is Al Pacino’s best film with Part II close behind and Heat not far in the rearview either. The next tier down includes Dog Day Afternoon and then Pacino’s big 2019 with both Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (where his contribution is very minor) and The Irishman (where his contribution is substantial). Of these six films, Dog Day Afternoon is far and away the film most dependent on Pacino to carry it. Pacino is the story arc in The Godfather and though it is the story of the entire family, Marlon Brando spends less time on screen than Pacino and the greatest display of acting in the film (there is a debate to be had here – the film is loaded with great scenes) is the close-up at dinner with the noise escalating as the intensity escalates – which belongs to Pacino of course.
Al Pacino at the age of thirty-two (32) here in The Godfather in 1972
best performance: The Godfather Part II. Three options vie for the top slot here. Dog Day Afternoon is Pacino completely unhinged (okay maybe not completely – because if this is completely unhinged – then what is Scarface?). As Sonny, Pacino is frazzled, erratic, shouting, paranoid, drained. It is a knockout performance and would be a fine choice here. In the first Godfather, it is his Michael Corleone’s transformation that is tracked. It is hard to believe (but Pacino does it) that in three hours the guy in the army uniform sitting with Diane Keaton at the wedding is the same man getting his hand kissed and slamming the door on her at the end. Ultimately though, the serpent-like performance in The Godfather Part II that gets the nod as the single best performance of Pacino’s career. He is so cold blooded and internalizes most of the movie (which is extremely rare for Pacino in his filmography) but in a few key scenes he unleashes (the “you broke my heart” kiss scene with John Cazale, the Keaton fight) to great effect.
Pacino opposite frequent collaborator John Cazale (they worked together in The Godfather, The Godfather Part II – pictured here, and Dog Day Afternoon)
stylistic innovations/traits: Pacino started his career with one of the all-time runs from 1971 to 1975. This was the peak of The New Hollywood era – a phenomenal group of actors: Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman – and Pacino’s run matches or surpasses any of them. He is in six archiveable films in six years, but more than that, he gives one of the best performances of the year in… get this …1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975. He would never top that stretch for the rest of his career but there are some extraordinary collaborations with Brian De Palma (Scarface, Carlito’s Way) and Michael Mann (Heat, The Insider) yet to come. Pacino has twenty-three (23) films in the archives with less total film credits than peers like Nicholson or De Niro. In fact, Pacino only made five (5) films total in the 1980s. The depth in his resume is there. He is superb in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia (the man was fantastic at playing exhaustion – Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon) and Donnie Brasco – but there is no room for them in his top ten.
The Irishman in 2019 – Pacino is masterfully cast as Jimmy Hoffa. Joe Pesci’s character says in the text: “he likes to talk doesn’t he?” This is Pacino’s first film with Martin Scorsese. He is so alive here – making speeches and stubborn as a mule. It is stark contrast to Robert De Niro’s performance. If De Niro outduels Pacino in Heat, clearly Pacino is superior here.
directors worked with: Francis Ford Coppola (3), Jerry Schatzberg (2), Sidney Lumet (2), Brian De Palma (2), Michael Mann (2), William Friedkin (1), Warren Beatty (1), Christopher Nolan (1), Mike Nichols (1), Steven Soderbergh (1), Quentin Tarantino (1), Martin Scorsese (1)
Pacino is going for it in Scarface – he does not land every punch he throws but it is still, overall, a victory for him. Ebert defends it as well (in a four-star review)- “What were Pacino’s detractors hoping for? Something internal and realistic?” https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-scarface-1983 This from Rob Gonsalves is masterfully put as well “Pacino, of course, goes way over the top and through the floor on the other side.” https://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=1397&reviewer=416 . The cast and crew surrounding Brian De Palma matches his brazen style and undeniable talent. The film is written by Oliver Stone, scored by Giorgio Moroder (these two back from winning Oscars in 1978 working with Alan Parker on Midnight Express), and acted by Al Pacino. The film is directed, written, scored and acted to the extreme – like Tony Montana himself – glorious excess.
top ten performances:
- The Godfather Part II
- The Godfather
- Dog Day Afternoon
- Scarface
- The Irishman
- The Insider
- Serpico
- Dick Tracy
- Heat
- Scarecrow
Pacino’s brilliant high-wire act in Dog Day Afternoon – the famous “Attica! Attica!” scene
archiveable films
| 1971- The Panic in Needle Park |
| 1972- The Godfather |
| 1973- Scarecrow |
| 1973- Serpico |
| 1974- The Godfather Part II |
| 1975- Dog Day Afternoon |
| 1979- …And Justice for All |
| 1980- Cruising |
| 1983- Scarface |
| 1989- Sea of Love |
| 1990- Dick Tracy |
| 1990- The Godfather Part III |
| 1992- Glengarry Glen Ross |
| 1992- Scent of a Woman |
| 1993- Carlito’s Way |
| 1995- Heat |
| 1997- Donnie Brasco |
| 1999- The Insider |
| 2002- Insomnia |
| 2003- Angels in America |
| 2007- Ocean’s Thirteen |
| 2019- Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood |
| 2019- The Irishman |
I feel like Pacino does some of his best acting outside of his top 3 performances (this is sort of unquestionable – The Godfather, The Godfather Part 2, Dog Day Afternoon) and perhaps Serpico as well (although I have very mixed feelings about this film even though I liked it in general) in The Godfather Part 3. The confession scene with the priest. The funeral scene with the Don character (part of this is missing in Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone for some reason – although that is not an unusual thing for this cut). They are top notch. But at the same time it feels like a bad imitator trying to act like Michael Corleone in the first two Godfathers for the majority of Part 3. And the awful hair adds to this.
Pacino himself has sort of forgotten how to play Michael Corleone. It comes off as a parody. That argument scene between the Joe Mantegna and the Andy Garcia characters in Michael’s cabin is laughably bad. When I watched this for the second time I thought Andy Garcia was really bad trying to act like James Caan (or Sunny Corleone) and much much better when he tried to act like Al Pacino (or Michael Corleone) in the 2nd half of the film. This would be fascinating with the new Cliff Booth movie as well because I think Scott will be playing his dad. And he is not anyway near the actor his dad was. James Caan especially here in the 1970’s, early 80’s is unimitable. The 2nd Godfather I think undoubtedly misses his presence (and Brando) and also leads to a much more subdued Duvall. But this is actually an against type role for Caan.
My top 10 performances:
1. The Godfather Part II
2. The Godfather Part III
3. Dog Day Afternoon
4. Serpico
5. The Godfather
6. Scarface
7. And Justice for All
8. The Irishman
9. Scent of a Woman
10. Glengarry Glen Ross
HM: Heat (probably top 5 though)
Al has always been my favorite actor. Personally, I think most of the performances listed here are Oscar worthy.
@Amigable – I disagree with Godfather 3 over Godfather 1. Nothing there touches the train scene with Pacino’s eye movements. And as other’s have pointed out the lesser writing leads to weaker performance (eg. Michael saying things outloud that would be internalised in the first two films).
@Amigable- The Godfather Part 3 has some of Pacino’s best acting (The Confession scene, The Don scene) but also some of his worst acting (The diabetes attack among others). Agree about Serpico being one of his top 5 performances.
Al Pacino ranked:
1. The Godfather Part 2
2. Dog Day Afternoon
3. The Godfather
4. Serpico
5. Carlito’s Way
6. Dick Tracy
7. The Irishman
8. The Insider
9. Scarface
10. Heat
11. Scent of a Woman
The Godfather Part 3
13. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Sebastian Lelio pages for Gloria Bell and A Fantastic Woman are messed up.
@Malith- thank you- should be fixed
I think Pacino’s strongest work overall outside the two Godfathers and Dog Day Afternoon are in the two De Palma films. His characters in the two films are polar opposites. Which makes for a nice contrast as well. Tony Montana in Scarface at least in the second half of the film (which I think should have been a separate film) is a power and money obsessed man who alienates those who are closest to him(friend, sister, partner) and is a man who makes rushed decisions. While Carlito Brigante in Carlito’s Way is a man who cares for those who are closest to him(friend, partner) but gets betrayed. And also is a man who is always thinking ahead and is conservative(sparring Benny Blanco) and does not make rushed decisions. Carlito does not care much about power and money(he wants out of the business) and wants to live a happy life with his loved ones.
I do think The Godfather Part 3 has some of the strongest ‘acting’ of Pacino’s entire career. He has 2 great breakdown scenes(the confession with the pope) and the talk with the dead don(somehow reduced in the cashgrab CODA: The Death of Michael Corleone). But the base of the performance is not exactly strong. He doesn’t really feel like Michael but rather Pacino playing his usual persona. And the contrast is jarring. I couldn’t imagine the clown show with Mantegna and Garcia arguing in the Don’s cabin will ever happen with Vito or the old Michael. They would both be shot dead on the spot especially Mantegna. And some of Pacino’s outbursts here like ‘Run for the thunder, girl’ during a diabetic breakdown leans into the Razzie category as well. But all in all, this film and performance would have worked much better if Pacino was playing someone else outside the Godfather universe. It’s a strong film nonetheless.
My ranking of Pacino:
Films:
1.The Godfather(1972)-MP
2.The Godfather Part 2(1974)-MP
3.Heat(1995)-MP
4.Once Upon a Time in Hollywood(2019)-MP
5.Dog Day Afternoon(1975)-MP
6.Carlito’s Way(1993)-MS/MP
7.The Irishman(2019)-MS
8.Dick Tracy(1990)-MS
9.Scarface(1983)-MS
10.The Insider(1999)-MS
11.The Godfather Part 3(1990)-R/HR
12.Serpico(1973)-R/HR
13.Scent of a Woman(1992)-R
Performances:
1.The Godfather Part 2
2.Dog Day Afternoon
3.The Godfather
4.Serpico
5.Carlito’s Way
6.Dick Tracy
7.The Irishman
8.The Insider
9.Scarface
10.Heat
11.Scent of a Woman
12.The Godfather Part 3
13.Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Emil Jannings is No. 24 with 6 archiveable films. 2 Films in the Top 100 and 2 performances in the top 27 of all time.
Fair to suggest that Pacino had matched or surpassed him by 1975. That is quite a ridiculous run to start off one’s career.
What about what comes after it?
17 archiveable films. A top 100 film of all time in Heat.
The Insider, The Irishman, Scarface, Carlito’s Way, Dick Tracy leading the way. Probably better than Tom Hanks (ranked 60) i think.
@AP-With very little range and nuance since 1975.
@Anderson- Hmmm.
I don’t entirely disagree but at the same time it’s not as one note as you may think.
Donnie Brasco, Insomnia, GGR, etc. Some of the tv films. There is a lot of good work there that you are yet to see going by your post below. Curious to see how you feel about it once you are done with those.
@AP-Later stage Pacino is better at picking projects than giving it his all to that project or immersing in that character. I bet it feels like he has already decided how to play that character with his usual schtick before even shooting started. Egoistical, big expressions with his eyes, don’t listen to anyone, always one step ahead with words. Regardless of the script or the character. Only the tone of his voice changes. It’s there in all of his mid to later works and I have seen a ton of them(Scarface, The Godfather Part 3, Dick Tracy, Scent of a Woman, Heat, The Insider, The Irishman). It’s all a variation of the same character. At least he tries to immerse himself in the character for parts in Carlito’s Way. He is always decent but this lack of trying and comfort is a shame coming from the actor who gave incredible performances in the 1970’s like the The two Godfathers, Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon. This is not screen presence this is something similar to what Chris Hemsworth does in all of his performances regardless of the character he is playing.
@James Trapp-I think there is a real sadness in Carlito Brigante in Carlito’s Way.
My (new) ranking of his performances :
1 – The Godfather Part II (MP)
2 – The Godfather (MP)
3 – Dog Day Afternoon (MP)
4 – Scarface (MS/MP)
5 – Carlito’s Way (MS)
6 – The Irishman (MS)
7 – Serpico (HR)
8 – Dick Tracy (MS)
9 – The Insider (MS)
10 – Needle Park (HR)
11 – Scarecrow (HR)
12 – Heat (MP)
13 – Scent of a Woman (R)
14 – The Godfather Part III (HR)
15 – And Justice For All (R)
16 – Glengarry Glenn Ross (R)
17 – Donnie Brasco (R)
18 – Insomnia (R/HR)
19 – Sea of Love (R)
20 – Cruising (R/HR)
@KidCharlemagne-Nice list. I like that we have the same top 3 and same top 9. I actually have never seen his two Jerry Shatzberg movies. Scarecrow and Panic in Needle Park.
@Malith – “I think there is a real sadness in Carlito Brigante in Carlito’s Way”
There is, but in a different way. Carlito’s life has crazy ups and downs but he is generally respected. Over the course of the film Carlito displays an impressive intellect and self awareness that is surprising given the obnoxious loudmouth he initially seems like in that opening courtroom scene. I think some of the character’s regrets is where some of the sadness comes from
His character in Donnie Brasco is pitiful in a way that Carlito is not. Lefty in Donnie Brasco has a sadness to him that Pacino really brings out in a couple of key scenes, the one on the boat in particular. Lefty is a motormouth who’s quiet moments speak volumes.
@James Trapp-So I haven’t watched Donnie Brasco. So I can’t really say much about that performance. But the more I watch Pacino’s mid to late career performances I feel like other than Carlito’s Way he is always giving a slightly different version of the same performance starting with Scarface and in The Godfather Part 3, Scent of a Woman, Heat, The Insider, Dick Tracy, The Irishman etc. It’s a bit disappointing I’m not gonna lie. Even though he is still trying to be part of great films. And in the 1990’s was part of even more great films than in the 1970’s. His character never lacks for words almost all the time, has exaggerated hand or physical gestures to show his frustration/emotion, very egotistical and act like he is always ahead of the others etc. There are still great acting moments here and there but he is mostly reacting and in his element not trying to become the character he is portraying. But I feel like in Carlito’s Way he didn’t do that and became that character. And these characteristics weren’t very noticeable.
@Malith – Donnie Brasco has excellent performers with limited direction unfortunately. Still the acting and narrative makes it a compelling watch none the less.
What do you think of his performance in Insomnia? He is isolated in a number of sequences and spends the film with his character progressively less energetic and talkative. There are one or two “Pacinoisms” like a scene where he screams about the victim being wrapped in garbage bags to the victims best friend. But most of the film he is not his usual verbal self.
@James Trapp-I think Al is very charismatic and he doesn’t need to have this always ready for anything type energy for more charisma. But it’s the way he decided to go at a certain point. You don’t see Michael Corleone in the first two, Serpico, Sonny in DDF reacting to everything and firing back or give a shrug or hand movement to show their frustration. I think in a lot of ways his later style is very suited to Michael Mann whose characters are really devoid of any humanity or emotion and just act like machines most of the time. Not Crowe but most others. I think this can work with more silent performances in their business like Caan, Petersen, Cruise but could fall completely flat like Farrell, Foxx(Miami Vice), Hemsworth where they are completely devoid of any human elements and just ciphers.
I need to see both Insominia & Donnie Brasco actually. But they sound good.
Pacino and Robin Williams in Insomnia (2002) is one of my favorite two-handers. Obviously Insomnia is not at the level of his best works but the performances they both give and especially the scenes they share is incredible acting
His performance in Donnie Brasco is incredibly poignant, despite the fact that his character is a mob hit man, Pacino plays him with such a profound sadness that is very different from his other mob films
My top 10 of Al’s performances:
1.The Godfather Part 2
2.Dog Day Afternoon
3.The Godfather
4.Carlito’s Way
5.Serpico
6.The Insider
7.Dick Tracy
8.Scarface
9.The Irishman
10.Heat
@Lionel – I have the exact same top 4
1.The Godfather Part 2
2.Dog Day Afternoon
3.The Godfather
4.Carlito’s Way
5.Scarface
6.The Irishman
7. Serpico
8. Godfather III
9. The Insider
10. Heat
@James Trapp-Putting Godfather Part 3 at 8 is certainly a choice. But I can’t get over the fact that it is still Michael Corleone but Pacino plays it like his later persona drastically different from the Michael Corleone in the first two Godfathers.
I wouldn’t argue putting it in the top 10 much if this film was not named The Godfather Part 3 and his character is not Michael Corleone. But it still is. I caught this from a negative review and sums up a lot of my thoughts.
“Apparently, Coppola and Pacino forgot who Michael was in the years between Part II and Part III. The Michael in the previous films was a silent and calculating mastermind who always gave the impression that he was one step ahead of everyone else. In contrast to Sonny, he never raised his voice. He spoke softly and only when he needed to. In fact, he spoke mostly with his eyes. A single death stare from Michael Corleone said all that was needed to be said. Such as the look he gives Al Neri when he embraces Fredo at their mother’s funeral (framed and filmed in such a way as to imply it was Fredo’s funeral).
But Michael in Part III is a jovial and lively old man. He is full of emotive expression; he talks loudly and greets people loudly. He even likes to crack the odd joke, especially toward the end of the film. In the previous films, Michael Corleone does not smile. Ever. The only time I can recall he smiles is when he is with Apollonia, whose death destroys the last bit of humanity he had left. That is because Michael is the personification of the ‘it’s not personal, it’s just business’ mantra. His lack of emotion gradually hollows him out to the point where he orders the death of his own brother. This is what destroys him in the end.
I could not help but laugh when Michael and Kay were getting back together. The whole time they were giggling and joking together I could only think of the scene in Part II where Kay tells Michael she had an abortion. It is the only time in the films that Michael gets truly angry. You can see all his remaining love for her visibly drain out of his face in that very moment to be replaced by pure loathing and rage. Michael’s CRITICAL CHARACTER FLAW is that he cannot forgive. Tessio? Dead. Carlo? Dead. Roth? Dead. Frank? Dead. Fredo? Dead. Michael’s lonely throne is balanced atop a huge pile of corpses. Whether these deaths were necessary or not, it was Michael’s inability to forgive that sealed their fates. Michael was willing to wait until his mother died of old age before he took out Fredo. So the idea that he would ever forgive Kay, even decades later, for aborting his son is absolute nonsense bordering on fan-fiction.
But I still think it is a good performance from Al taken on its own and there is enough here to call it a great/above average film. But it’s pretty overrated now.
@Lionel – There is a lot of time between GFII and GFIII. By the end of the 2nd film he no longer has anyone in his life, he has obtained incredible amounts of power but has completely isolated himself. Michael Corleone in the 3rd film is a man who is actively attempting to change and make peace with his past as much as he is capable, including confessing to a Priest. He is a man very much aware of the pain he has caused and wants to make things right with his family. Michael’s character was a good man when introduced in the 1st film. He loved his family but wanted no part in the Family Business aka Mafia. Obviously, this changes drastically and the shy sweet natured Michael slowly turns into a cold and ruthless mob boss. But Michael’s character is constantly evolving over the course of the 3 films. A 3rd film that revolved around Michael continuing to be a cold evil mob boss would not be very intriguing. The redemption angle is largely the driver of the 3rd film.
Obviously, Michael still has flaws and limitations but I don’t see him attempting to atone for his past as being inconsistent with his character because his character is always evolving over the course of the story. Of course, even Michael’s attempts at being gregarious and warner to people has its limits.
Michael loved and respected his father as much as anyone even if he initially told Kay he would not become “a man like my father” early in the 1st film. Vito was a natural leader both for his family and the Corleone Crime Family. He emphasized the importance of spending time with his family whether huge wedding parties or eating dinners that did not include talking business. Vito was sociable and could handle himself whether in the company of family, friends, business rivals, etc. And of course Vito was highly intelligent and a long term strategist.
Vito’s 3 biological sons (he viewed Tom like a son as well) each have elements of him but not the entire package. Sonny has the tenacity and natural leadership of Vito but not the patience or intellect. Michael has the intellect cold calculations but not the same natural leadership or sociability. Fredo is regarded as the black sheep and while he was not the brightest nor could he handle himself physically like Sonny he was gregarious and sociability which is why he operated night clubs and worked at Casino’s
I think Michael is trying to emulate Vito, as best as he can, when it comes to the other aspects of being the leader of a family. In the 2nd film he completely loses sight of this and thinks of himself as a good father because he is a great provider setting his family up to live a life of privilege but not spending quality family time the way that Vito talked about “a man who does not spend time with his family can never be a real man”. While Michael may not have the some personality traits as Vito I see much of Godfather III as him trying to live up to his father’s ideals when it comes to family.
My personal list of his performances:
1) The Godfather
2) The Godfather Part II
3) Dog Day Afternoon
4) Heat
5) Serpico
6) Scarface
7) Carlito’s Way
8) Panic in Needle Park
9) Donnie Brasco
10) Glengarry Glen Ross
11) And Justice for All
12) The Insider
13) Insomnia
14) Scarecrow
15) Scent of a Woman
16) Godfather Part III
17) The Irishman
18) Devil’s Advocate
19) Sea of Love
20) Any Given Sunday
Looking for Richard is also great, but probably does not count.
@LeRoi-Why do you have The Irishman so low?
@LeRoi-Have you ever seen Dick Tracy? Even Scarface pales in comparison in terms of the extremeness of the performance and I love it. A must watch for a Pacino fan.
@Lionel. I have seen Dick Tracy quite a long time ago. It won’t make top 10 for him for me, but should have added it in the list. The Irishman was a lesser Scorsese for me and seemed to play it by the numbers somewhat. His performance was still very good, I just rate the other performances on my list better especially some of his more subdued / controlled performances from 70/80s where he keeps within himself.
“I just rate the other performances on my list better especially some of his more subdued / controlled performances from 70/80s where he keeps within himself.”
Strange to say this and rank his performance in Heat at #4, don’t you think?
I meant compared to the Irishman.
But what’s the reason for the huge difference between his performances in Heat and The Irishman when they are both subdued/controlled in the slightest? Most would have Irishman ranked above Heat for Pacino. That feels like a substantial miss. Even if we use De Niro as a benchmark.
Ranking of Pacino movies I have seen:
1.The Godfather Part 2-MP
2.The Godfather-MP
3.Scarface-MP
4.Heat-MP
5.Dog Day Afternoon-MP
6.Carlito’s Way-MS/MP
7.Dick Tracy-MS
8.The Irishman-MS
9.Serpico-R/HR
10.The Godfather Part 3-R/HR
11.Scent of a Woman-R
Ranking of Pacino performances I have seen:
1.The Godfather Part 2
2.The Godfather
3.Dog Day Afternoon
4.Carlito’s Way
5.Scarface
6.Dick Tracy
7.The Irishman
8.Serpico
9.Heat
10.Scent of a Woman
11.The Godfather Part 3
Pacino has far less film credits than Nicholson? I’m not sure about that.
@Anderson – Good point – it is still less, but not “far less” anymore- Pacino has continued to work beyond Nicholson’s retirement in 2010 and closed the gap dramatically with nearly 20 credits in that time
My ranking of Pacino performances I have seen:
1.The Godfather Part 2
2.Dog Day Afternoon
3.The Godfather
4.Carlito’s Way
5.The Irishman
6.Serpico
7.Scent of a Woman
8.The Godfather Part 3
9.Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Missed Heat. So it would be:
7.Heat
8.Scent of a Woman
9.The Godfather Part 3
10.Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Since you have just posted PSH page (an incredibly versatile actor) it reminds how versatile Pacino is. If you just look at the godfather, in the beginning he’s almost like Christopher Walken Deer Hunter role- a simple boy full of life, love , more soft and emotional surrounded by very masculine men. But by the end he’s hardened. On multiple viewings I find that in part part 2 he’s almost psychotic, emotion-less (or near that state). Pacino can fill a room with his voice, internalize on Tony Leung, J. L. Trintignant level, give you a cold icy stare like Delon, Do accents. Hide under prosthetics and completely disappear.
Can Pacino play Kit in Badlands? He doesn’t look like James Dean (we might need to change one dialogue from the film) but I think yeah.
@M*A*S*H- I like that- it would be a slightly different film for sure – but I can see it.
@Drake- I do too. It would be right after The Godfather and just before Scarecrow I guess. Pacino would have the boyish look and charm along with everything else needed.
What do you think about Bill in Kill Bill? I think that’s a possibility as well. Pacino can nail the dialogue dilevery there.
@M*A*S*H- Hard for me not to see David Carradine or Warren Beatty (who I believe Tarantino wrote the film for) in this role. What a mistake by Beatty turning this down. I have a hard time seeing Pacino here. Him being 5’6 or whatever and Uma at 6 feet tall is one reason.
Tbh I really can’t picture Beatty here. Bill is charming but also intimidating also he has a specific/ sophisticated way of talking, very interesting choice of words (great dialogue writing by QT no doubt). Beatty would nail the charm but would not have Carradine’s lurking danger in him. Beatty also wouldn’t little nuances that Carradine’s work has. I can’t explain it but i just haven’t seen Beatty operate on Carradine Kill Bill performance level. I have sure seen Pacino on that level and higher. Pacino is short, but talking of acting range Pacino can be a charming romantic lead and ofc be an intimidating killer and both at the same time as well. Pacino has a knack for dialogue dilevery, also nuances.
@M*A*S*H Well we have to have the confidence to know Tarantino is going to write it different for whomever he gets. He’s not going to write Beatty or Pacino has a kung fu type expert. Beatty has a natural style – the air of coolness that Tarantino could lean into that frankly Pacino does not have. I wouldn’t want to recast Carradine (though Beatty is the better actor) knowing the results – but Beatty is the stronger option than Pacino for sure.
@Drake-You are contradicting yourself by putting Al Pacino’s performance in Serpico above Dick Tracy here. But excluding Pacino’s performance in Serpico from the 1973 best performances but giving a mention to Dick Tracy in the 1990 best performances section.
@Malith- Not at all- you are incorrect here. Pacino gets a mention on the 1973 page.
@Drake-Ah. I forgot about that. But it looks like it is half a mention for Serpico while it is a full mention for Dick Tracy.
@Malith- I’m good with the way this is written. Thank you
panic in needle park should be in top 10 performances
My favorite actor of all time. The more I get away from the first 2 Godfathers the more his career frustrates me. He has such a talent for these subtle/internal/brooding performances (I actually think him in Godfather II is THE greatest of this type of performances… for both male and female) yet he never really taps back into that for the remainder of his career. I don’t know why, his eyes are so expressive that it allows him to convey so much information and emotion while doing so little. When I first got into film, I actually saw someone refer to Pacino as “film’s greatest yeller” (I was only familiar with the Godfather films) and was really confused what they were talking about. And I guess it’s a little bit of a shame (though not too much of a shame, he’s a top 5 actor ever) that someone born with such a talent for quiet/internal roles has such a reputation for being famous for screaming lunatic roles. I don’t want to belittle his career outside of the Michael Corleone role, it is still extremely fantastic, and I do really enjoy some of the anti-Corleone type of performances like in The Irishman, Scarface, etc, but sometimes you just wish he would get away from that (it’s too much in Heat, among others) and get back to those boiling and hauntingly quiet roles
@Matthew – While the film is nowhere near the level of some of his top performances, you might want to check out Nolan’s Insomnia (2002) which is a solid film but one featuring amazing performances from both Pacino and Robin Williams. Williams is chilling in that film but Pacino has numerous scenes where he goes minutes without dialogue, in fact he has a fair amount of screen time by himself which gives him time for the subtle/internal/brooding type of performances you are referring to. He does have one of two Pacino-isms for lack of a better word. It also happens to be a solid thriller on top of all that but I would definiely check it out if you haven’t already.
I have but it’s admittedly been awhile, saw it before my cinephile journey, so it’s due for a rewatch. KidCharlemagne names some other more internal Pacino roles like in Space Needle and Cruising that I haven’t seen, so maybe I’m underestimating Pacino’s resume outside of The Godfather when it comes to these types of roles
Also @KidCharlemagne I do overall agree that Pacino is great in Heat. I was referring to a couple moments in that film where he just cuts way too loose in my opinion
I think Pacino is like Nicholson. Love overreacting. Not in a bad way. He’s more Paul Muni & James Cagney than Montgomery Clift & Marlon Brando IMHO. It’s a style. I do prefer the subtle Pacino (Godfather I & II, Needle Park, Cruising, Donnie Brasco, The Insider, Insomnia). But I love Carlito’s Way, Scarface, Heat (yes I do think that this performance is good). When the role calls for it, do it. Shout !!
I think his resume is underrated, mostly because in my opinion, he’s compared to DeNiro. But it’s unfair. He’s got 9 MP/MS, 2 of the top 20 best performances ever, collaborations with Coppola, Lumet, DePalma, Scorsese, Mann.
Pacino internalizes a lot in Carlito’s Way me thinks.
Yes it’s true. Great role in a underrated movie (it’s my favourite DePalma, not the best, my favourite).
And I don’t even mention great role in passable movie (mostly because of him) : And Justice For All, Sea of Love (great script), Glengarry Glen Ross (great « movie actors », great dialogues), Scent of a Woman, The Devil’s Advocate, Any Given Sunday. Also, great bad guy in Ocean’s Thirteen & good performances in TV Movie : You Don’t Know Jack, Phil Spector, Paterno. Love him in House of Gucci.
Really happy with this ranking. My top 10 of his performances :
1 – The Godfather Part II
2 – The Godfather
3 – Dog Day Afternoon
4 – Scarface
5 – Carlito’s Way
6 – The Irishman
7 – Serpico
8 – Heat
9 – The Insider
10 – Dick Tracy
Big 2019 for pacino and deniro which is awesome… drake i was wondering if you could let me know what the ranking of your last top 100 actors was to compare, pacino moved up a spot if im not mistaken
@Big chungus – Thanks for the comment- I put it here on De Niro’s page https://thecinemaarchives.com/2023/04/08/the-best-actor-of-all-time-robert-de-niro/
Thankyou !
Love seeing The Irishman in the top 5, that role was made for him.
Question is Pacino in GF2 superior to Brando in GF1? I think Brando’s role is more iconic, in fact it may be the most iconic performance ever. But Pacino certainly has more screen time and Carrie’s the film to a greater degree.
@James Trapp- I’ll let others chime in here- I am going to put together a ranking of the top 100 male performances similar to the female side
I’ve already made my top 50 of male performances. And in my top : Pacino in Godfather 2 > Brando in Godfather 1 > Pacino in Godfather 1. Just my opinion.
For me, definitely. But it’s of course arguable