Disappointment
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Panic in Needle Park
pinnebarn — 19 years ago(May 24, 2006 10:36 AM)
I love Al Pacino, but this film was quite a disappointment to me. I don't think his acting was all that it can be, and that the script and the film in general was not good at all. Everyone on this board seems to like it, but I can't see why? I guess it would have been better had I seen it during the time it was first released, in the late late 70's. Does someone agree with me, or is there something about this film that I am just not seeing?
For goodness sakes, get down from that crucifix. Someone needs the wood.
-Felicia Jollygoodfellow -
missvalentine_69 — 19 years ago(June 19, 2006 09:59 AM)
Hey, I just saw The Panic In Needle Park yesterday. I have to kind of agree and disagree with you. I actually thought Al Pacino was brilliant in this film but the film in general was kind of a disappointment. The characters didn't really go on any real arch's and I was lost at the ending with no real conclusion (the point isthe whole thing goes on and on?) And the plot seemed the same throughout, like there was no real plot to the plot (if you get what I'm saying) all it was, was the relationship between Pacino and his girl and you're constantly waiting for something drastic to happen and nothing ever does. But somehow (unbeknown to me) I enjoyed going on the journey with the characters. But I can totally undersatnd why you'd be disapointed with the movie. There's honestly nothing your missing but rather the story is lacking something i.e. better script and a little swift kick up the backside.
Hope this helped lol x x x x -
MeanCreekfan — 18 years ago(August 22, 2007 11:22 PM)
I just saw this movie the other day because someone I know recommended it to me. I have to say that I think most of you are missing the point of the film. The plot isn't meant to go anywhere in this. It's very much driven by the characters. Of course at the end it hangs and Bobby and Helen's addictions probably did go on and on because in the life of someone who is on heroin and refuses to get help that's all there is.
I'm a huge fan of Al Pacino (I also love Kitty Winn and Raul Julia) and I have to say I think this is the best movie he's ever done. The acting is incredible and I can probably count on one hand the number of movies I've seen (Candy is also one of them) that don't glamourize drug addiction and shows it for what it really is. Something ugly and if you don't get help, something that never ends. This is one of those movies. If you're looking for something that is virtually untouched by anything Hollywood, see this. I only wish there were more like it.
May: I can't breathe.
Darren: And what would happen if you did breathe? (The Mother) -
Einherjer-FIN — 19 years ago(June 27, 2006 04:32 PM)
I found this movie when I was searching for Al Pacino's film I yet hadn't seen. Well, I just watched and I got to tell you, it kind of disappointed me too. I think acting in this film is quite good pretty much as good as it can be with a script like this. I think movie just doesn't tell us enough about the main characters so that you could grow to like them. In the end I wouldn't really had cared even if either one of them had died not that anything as dramatic as this happens during the movie. Like the guy above said, you are always waiting for something big to happen but the moment you are waiting for never comes.Seriously, there is no single memorable scene in the whole movie. Back of the DVD-case reads "Movie that was banned in England" and "Uncut version was shown first time almost 30 years after the original release". If the uncut version was the one I just saw, I can't honestly tell you what was so horrible in this movie that it had to be cut.
However, I think the movie wasn't a total disaster. Like I said, acting is great and everything so if you are fan of Al Pacino's movies, you might want to check this out. DVD shouldn't be too expensive either (my copy cost 7 euros) so give it a shot. -
TornaventoFilms — 19 years ago(August 29, 2006 05:22 AM)
Well, i remember my mother taking me to theaters and see this movie when I was like fourteen. (i'm french and there was a Pacino retrospective 10 years ago ) and I tought that this movie is much better than any adds and any drug prenvention discourse ( Thre is still in Pulp or transpotting the "cool aspect of taking drugs"
Anyway, yes, you might be waiting something to happen but drug addict's life isn't as drastic as Requiem's. Life is much more closer of panic than of requiem. They are trapped in their addiction, and it will go on until they die. No need to add any horrible sequence, they're already in hell. ( Bobby asks his girl to score for him 30 minutes after the beginning of the movie !) I don't really understand what you were expecting, a hold up, another OD ? another jail sentence, they met a great doctor that made them quit ? a arm amputed ?
This movie is a very realistic depiction of this universe, and yes, nothing happens and that's why they take heroine. Characters are great except this juvenile cop who is absolutly terrible. whos is this guy anyway ? Couldn't they at least iron his shirt in order to make us believe that he is a cop ?
So long -
LuckyGraveyardBoots — 17 years ago(April 22, 2008 05:48 AM)
well the young cop in the movie was supposed to be narc, and if anything he actually looked too well groomed for a narc. they're supposed to look as UNcoplike as possible so they can investigate deeper without being suspected soyeahplus it was the sixtiesjust putting that out there
"I'm waiting for the sun to shine." -
lucid768 — 18 years ago(September 03, 2007 05:55 PM)
i loved the ending of this movie. no wrap ups. no exciting getting back together scenes or them moving to the country. their addicts. this is a stark depiction of the addicts life and the spiraling nature of how heroin can grip you and take away all of those things that are held dear. a lot of scenes are realy well done. some of the diner scenes i thought were great. pacino's courting of kitty reminded me of his courting in other movies as well. you can tell a lot of the canvas for what he would be become is included here and the diabolic nature of this character is what drew coppola to cast him for the godfather. bobby loves the innocence of kitty but when its taken away he can't feel remorse b/c he still needs cash to support his habit and having her with him is perhaps better. panic isn't a masterpiece, but a nice drug-related film that brings out the human element in creative ways.
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pinnebarn — 19 years ago(October 26, 2006 04:54 AM)
I'm sorry that I got the age of the film wrong, i don't know why I missed that fact
Yes, taste is subjective, but the reason behind my post is just to get other people's thoughts of the film, why they like it etc. I think I got some good answers from people here, and I'm glad most of them weren't rude.
I hate it when they look like Tarzan but sound like Jane. -Neil in Mysterious Skin. -
imdbyes — 18 years ago(August 11, 2007 08:32 PM)
Another thing I forgot to add, is that the ending of the movie means that they're back together again despite what happeend and that this will go on for years, this hell of a desperate life will keep going and going 365 days a year for a long time.