It is one of those films that’s been taintedby its reputation. Despite all the obnoxious posters hanging in frat boys’ dorm rooms, Brian De Palma’s film is still one hell of a gangster film,trading in Pacino’s previous nuance for a film and a performance that’s driven by wild excesses. It may not be his most difficult role, but for the tale of coke-fueled Tony Montana’s epic rise and fall, Pacino’s unhinged performanceas Tony Montana works like gangbusters.
2.Serpico
Pacino received his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for his work in this Sidney Lumet crime drama — his second brush with the Academy during a torrid span that saw him earning some sort of Oscar nomination every year between 1972-75. While it was far from his biggest hit of the decade, it contains some of his strongest work, anchored by Lumet’s sensitive directionand a Waldo Salt/Norman Wexler screenplay inspired by the real-life storyof an NYPD officer whose efforts to rootout corruption in the police force were met with life-threatening resistance. Calling it “One of the best films of our time, and our grandkids’ time,” Moviehole’s Clint Morris marveled, “Serpicois pure Pacino, powerful as hell.”
3.DONNIE BRASCO
The finest late performance of his career, as Lefty, a career soldier who knows and understands his place in the mafia. Though he talks big, he will never rise above the rank he is at the time he strikes up a friendship with an undercover cop, which will be his undoing.
4.The Godfather
The Godfatheris perhaps the greatest film in cinematic history. In the movie, Don Corleone played by Marlon Brando, shows Pacino the ropes and teaches him the family business. Some say Al Pacino was “too good.”
5.Heat
Heat is a crime, robbery thriller starring the two greatest actors of all time : Robert de Niro and Al Pacino. The movie was the first one in which both Al Pacino and de Niro share a screen. The scene where both actors share the screen was one of the most awaited things in Hollywood. Themovie was very well received and the dream of seeing two great actors share the screen was fulfilled.
6.The Insider
Based on an article “The Man Who Knew Too Much” of the Vanity fair magazine, The Insideris a collection of big drama, big media as well as the big tobacco industry. Co-starring with Russell Crowe, Al Pacino played a powerful role of60 minutesproducer, exposing the hidden propaganda of tobacco lobby. Directedby Michael Mann, this intelligent and fascinating flick is pumped with the glory of seriousness.
7.Insomnia
WhenChristopher Nolansits in the director’s chair, the fans know that they are definitely in for something special and if Al Pacino is his leading star, then that is surely icing to the cake.When a 17-year old girl is found murdered in Nightmute, Alaska, it is up to two detectives fromLos Angeles Police Department to solve the caseonly to find out more than what they expected.
8.Dog day afternoon
Dog Day Afternoonis one of Pacino's most beloved films.In it, Pacino plays Sonny, a first-time crook who robs a bank with his partners in crime Sal and Stevie. Things go wrong from the start, and quickly spiral out of control. Soon, the police are on the scene and it is revealed that the reason for the robbery is so that Sonny can pay for hislover's gender reassignment surgery.
9.Godfather 3
The Godfather Part IIIis a 1990 American crime film written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola. A sequel toThe Godfather(1972) andThe Godfather Part II(1974), it completes the story ofMichael Corleone, a Mafia king pin who attempts to legitimize his criminal empire
10.Godfather part 2
In this sequel toThe Godfather, Pacino, playing Michael Corleone, the head of the Corleone crime family, is now in power and running the family with a brilliantly savage tactical mind. It's oneof Pacino's most memorable roles, with some of the franchises most brilliant lines.
