FW Uncle Billy should really be tackling this man's rich history of cinema work and its profound impact on American audiences during the 70's and 80's, but since he is somewhere off the path at the moment, I'll give you some of my own impressions of the cinematic legacy he leaves behind.
Simply put: you cannot define yourself as a Film Warrior unless you've seen at least these four essential films of this man's work:
12 Angry Men (1957)
Henry Fonda plays a dissenting juror in a murder trail who slowly manages to convince the other jurors that the case is not as clear as it seemed in court. Keep in mind that all but three minutes of the 96 minute running time were filmed inside a single, cramped jury room, yet it still comes off as one of the most cinematically dynamic films ever made.
This is mainly due to the the powerhouse of acting talent within the room, including Martin Balsam, E.G. Marshall, and Jack Klugman. Here is a dialog driven quest item that sucks you in and makes you one of the jurors trapped inside that sixteen by twenty-four room. Truly unforgettable.
Serpico (1973)
A true story about a New York cop (Al Pacino) who blew the whistle on rampant corruption in the force, only to have his comrades turn against him. This one of those Scorsese styled gritty New York films that was lensed by Arthur J. Ornitz ("Death Wish") and features a fiercely iconic performance by Pacino.
Quest items like this one had weight to them. They were about something. You paid attention, became involved, enriched even. Lumet was less concerned about gunfights than he was about giving Pacino the necessary space he needed in which to bring this character to life.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) attempts to rob a Brooklyn bank to pay for his lover's sex change operation, only to have the criminal act turn into a hostage situation and a media circus. This quest item is about as legend as it gets, and easily my favorite of the four Lumet essentials.
This unintentionally comedic film was largely improvised by the actors, and contains one of Pacino's all time greatest performances as the beleaguered Sonny, who bellows the classic movie quote, "Attica! Attica!" to rally the bystanders (and the audience) to his cause.
Network (1976)
This film eerily echoes our current reality TV fascination, as a TV network (led by Faye Dunaway) exploits a TV anchor's rantings about the media for their own profit. This Lumet essential is easily the most quoted of the bunch, featuring the Peter Finch classic line, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
Again we have a powerhouse of acting (Dunaway, Finch, and William Holden) at work in a cautionary tale that unfortunately went unheeded given our current TV offerings as of late. The film won three awards for acting and one for screenplay by writer Paddy Chayefsky. Quest items like this one are the reason we go to films in the first place.
With over 40 films to his credit (including "The Wiz" and the underrated "Q & A") Sidney Lumet's legacy will endure for many cinematic generations to come. As stated before, his films were about something. They stayed with you long after the final credits have rolled. They've grown and aged with you over the years. They've become a permanent part of your film going soul.
He once said, "While the goal of all movies is to entertain, the kind of film in which I believe goes one step further. It compels the spectator to examine one facet or another of his own conscience. It stimulates thought and sets the mental juices flowing.”
Part of the Film Warrior armor I wear I owe to mister Lumet. Once more into the cinematic breach, good sir! We follow with open hearts and brave souls.
"Deeds, not words..."
2 comments:
Another nice tribute.
Lumet was a genius. Twelve Angry Men and Serpico are riveting.
~S.
Indeed. He gave us some of the best Pacino performances ever. He truly respected the actors.
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