The Panic in Needle Park: B / Looking for Richard: B

Both recently released on DVD for the first time.

Al Pacino first gained national notice in 1971 in The Panic in Needle Park where he played a heroin addict. The title refers to addicts freaking out about the lack of heroin supply around town. The father of Requiem for a Dream, this film is less focused and effective, but does feature a relaxed, charismatic, and raw performance by the pre-Corleone Pacino. Somehow he remains likable even when he gets his pure girlfriend hooked and encourages her to start turning tricks so they can keep their habit. The documentary style shooting is appropriate. Long lenses are used to great effect and you can really feel the New York streets. Surprisingly, there are no lessons learned or redemption found. It’s just an honest, gritty portrayal of addicts in early 70s New York. B

Burned out by films in the mid 70s, Pacino returned to the theater and performed tours explaining Shakespeare to college students. In Looking for Richard (1996) - his only directorial effort - he tries to make Richard III more accessible to a modern audience. The movie is part documentary as Pacino and his producers talk about their goals, casting, and the meaning of the play. The movie is also part stage play where actors, including fellow Glengarry Glen Ross alums Alec Baldwin and Kevin Spacey, perform full scenes from the play. One of the most interesting points in the movie is how Americans (including actors) are overly reverent when it comes to Shakespeare and British actors aren’t quite as fearful. The editing is effective and the music by Howard Shore serves the film well.

The film was made over a 4 year period and you can see both Ricky Roma and Vincent Hanna during the documentary part. You also see Pacino in a beard where he appears to be straight off the set of Carlito’s Way. Clearly a labor of love, it’s great to see a huge movie star follow their heart and finance their pet project. It’s even better to see a film that actually works and achieves its goal. B