Dog Day Afternoon
This is a very powerful performance by Al Pacino, and that's saying something since pretty much everything this man has done is easily describable as powerful.
But, still, the tension, the fear and the near panic to keep it together exudes from the mad looks in his eyes during this failed bank robbery that is strongly based on an actual attempted robbery/hostage situation.
There is a dark comedy mixing beneath the surface as things spirals nearly out of control as both Pacino's character, Sonny and, once more, playing a cop is Charles Durning doing his damnest to keep ***** from getting bloody, or worse.
When I'm mentioning actors, I must include Sonny's partner Sal, played by John Cazale who is most known as Fredo from The Godfather. Playing Sonny's reason for robbing the bank, is Chris Sarandon who completely nails it as a nervous wreck of a man in search of a sex change.
Also, keep an eye out for Lance Henriksen as one of the detectives and, for those who know her, Carol Kane as one of the hostages.
One of the incredible aspects is that how soon you care about Sonny's character as things go completely wrong and the police arrive and it becomes a hostage situation. You can argue that the sympathy comes with it being Pacino and we all like Pacino, but that sells it short.
It is HOW Pacino plays Sonny that we begin to root for him and cheer for him to make it out on the other side. Watch, and you will see.
Like the tag lines mention, this does become a media circus and the crowd outside go from cheering Sonny to jeering the police. It continually remains a volatile and explosive situation that, at any second can go south, VERY easily; and this tension stays and never eases up.
Along with this, is some very intriguing displays of, not only mob mentality and the circus that the media seems to know as the only protocol, but of those caught in the very center of it all. Those on both sides of the standoff, the police and the 6 women tellers and the manager being held captive as it all plays out.
I have seen this movie a number of times in my life and I'm VERY happy to have a reason to see it again. Thank you, @
CaptainT for nominating this.