Dog Day Afternoon

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Dog Day Afternoon ★★★½ 1975 (R)

Based on a true story, this taut, yet fantastic thriller centers on a bi-sexual and his slow-witted buddy who rob a bank to obtain money to fund a sex change operation for the ringleader's lover. Pacino is breathtaking in his role as the frustrated robber, caught in a trap of his own devising. Very controversial for its language and subject matter when released, it nevertheless became a huge success. Director Lumet keeps up the pace, fills the screen with pathos without gross sentiment. 124m/C VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD . Dominic Chianese, Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, James Broderick, Chris Saran-don, Carol Kane, Lance Henriksen, Dick Anthony Williams; D: Sidney Lumet; W: Frank Pierson; C: Victor Kemper. Oscars '75: Orig. Screenplay; British Acad. '75: Actor (Pacino); Natl. Bd. of Review '75: Support. Actor (Durning); Writers Guild '75: Orig. Screenplay.

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