Al Pacino's 10 Greatest Performances
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Written by: Doug Kelker
Some people accuse Al Pacino of being an over-actor, but that appears to be the minority opinion. Movie fans that recognize and appreciate true acting talent know that AP refuses to give anything less than a first-rate presentation. His dynamic vocal range and hands-on approach to acting have made him one of the best performers in the past 30 years. He also challenges himself by taking on various roles; for example, Pacino has played a bank robber, a racecar driver, a lawyer, a playwright, a blind retired soldier, a 60 Minutes producer, and Satan. Some people might believe he is typecast as a gangster or a police officer. Yes, he has played those roles several times each, but he always adds something new to each character. In fact, AP adds something special to every character he plays. Here's a look at Al Pacino's 10 best performances, picked from a large pool of possible choices. They are listed in chronological order. |
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| 1. |
The Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990)
Michael Corleone is one of the most interesting characters in film history, and nobody could have done a better job than AP. He uses his entire acting range to play a mild-mannered WWII hero who avenges his father's near-assassination and later becomes the head of his mob family after his father retires. In the sequel, Michael Corleone's ruthlessness peaks when he orders his older brother's death. In Part III, Pacino portrays Michael as a remorseful businessman who seeks redemption for his past sins. (Click here for a full review of the trilogy).Classic quote: "Luca Brasi held a gun to his head while my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract." |
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| 2. |
Serpico (1973)
After playing a drug addict and a soldier-turned-Mafia-leader in his first two significant roles, Pacino gets the chance to portray a more legitimate character. AP flawlessly displays Frank Serpico's frustrations in resisting corruption as a police officer. Also, Pacino adds a realistic touch to the lead character by showing Serpico's personal drawbacks. Classic quote: "The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry -- it just gets dirtier." |
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| 3. |
...And Justice For All (1979)
AP is the only redeeming factor in this dull courtroom drama. He plays a talented attorney named Arthur Kirkland, who is coerced into defending his a corrupt judge. Kirkland's unforgettable outburst in the final scene earned AP an Oscar nomination that year. Classic quote: "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the prosecution is not going to get that man today, no, because I'M GONNA GET HIM!" |
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| 4. |
Scarface (1983)
Unlike Michael Corleone's dispositional switches throughout The Godfather Trilogy, Tony Montana is brutal from the beginning of the movie and only gets worse. AP showed his acting range well by portraying his most lethal gangster role a year after starring in the family comedy Author! Author!. Don't mess with Tony Montana! Classic quote: "In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, you get the women." |
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| 5. |
Dick Tracy (1990)
After a lackluster decade on the big screen, AP scores a hit by playing comic villain Big Boy Caprice, who is a spoof of his earlier gangster roles. While most of Pacino's characters each vary from moderate to explosive, Caprice is vibrant throughout Dick Tracy, earning an Oscar nomination. Classic quote: "You get behind me, we all profit; you challenge me, we all go down! There was one Napoleon, one Washington, one me!" |
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| 6. |
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Ricky Roma is one of AP's lesser-known roles, but not because he is relatively tame. In fact, Roma is one of the most in-your-face characters Pacino has ever done. The part where he verbally thrashes Kevin Spacey's character is harsh and humorous. (Click here for a full review of this film). Classic quote: "I know my business; you know yours. Your business is being an asshole." |
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| 7. |
Scent Of A Woman (1992)
AP gives the performance of 10 lifetimes as Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Slade, a retired (and blind) American soldier. Pacino doesn't let his eyes focus on anything, giving his character's blindness maximum plausibility. An excellent speech about integrity is another reason AP won an overdue Academy Award for this role. Classic quote: "There is nothing like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no prosthesis for that." | |
| 8. |
Heat (1995)
Out of about five police officer roles in AP's filmography, Vincent Hanna is the best one, in terms of characterization. Hanna is unafraid to get tough with anyone if it will help him solve a crime. However, he also shows a lot of compassion toward victims of crimes. Classic quote: "She's got a GREAT ASS...and you got your head all the way up it!" |
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| 9. |
The Devil's Advocate
In one of his forgotten roles, AP plays Satan disguised as a lawyer (go ahead, take the cheap shot). Depending on your theological views, Pacino shows a credible representation of Satan: handsome, charismatic, and seductive. It's the role that AP was born to play. Classic quote: "Free will. It's like butterfly wings: once touched, they never get off the ground. No, I only set the stage. You pull your own strings." |
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| 10. |
The Insider
Despite being overshadowed by Russell Crowe, AP gives a solid performance as a 60 Minutes producer. Lowell Bergman is torn between protecting a whistle-blowing tobacco scientist, maintaining his own reputation as an honorable professional, and putting up with the politics of news broadcasting. Pacino is careful not to show Bergman as a self-centered save-ass; he shows true concern for the scientist's security. Classic quote: "You'd better look into it, because I'm getting two things: pissed off and curious." Finally, don't miss Dog Day Afternoon (where he plays an anxious bank robber), Insomnia (as a morally slack detective), and City Hall ("I choose to fight back!"). Looking to bring Pacino to your dorm room walls? Click here to check out some top-notch Pacino posters. Did we neglect your favorite Pacino Performance? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which classic party scenes you think we missed. Don't forget to check out our other actor top 10 lists, the Top 10 Deniro Films and the Top 10 Eastwood Films. You can pick any of these up any of these movies by clicking on the corresponding film image above. |
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