...in the shape AP is playing in this film has the ability to run up all those stairs. Saw this in preview. It was laughable. Save your money.

to have someone around like AP and put him in this crap. Everytime I watch Reds, I'm likewise irritated to see Diane Keaton in the crap she's been in lately. Al Pacino has done some fairly recent work that was great like Devil's Advocate. I know people get old but shit.

Al Pacino's contribution to the quality of American movies has been in two main areas:1.Contorting his face into a series of painful knots and 2.Screaming like a violent maniac while he contorts his face into a series of painful knots! Obviously Pacino thinks his over the top,psycho_like outbursts are what audiences and Oscar judges desire and regard as amazingly talented acting!

well done, zacharek

If you think Pacino's only acting is shouting, then I have two words for you:

God

Father

Oh what the hell, might as well add "2" to that. Or "Serpico." Or "Sea of Love." Or "Insomnia." Or "Heat."

"Carlito's Way," "Dog Day Afternoon," "And Justice for All"....

You forgot Frankie and Johnny. I have never seen a man in a film look at a woman the way AP looked at Michelle Pfeifer in that movie. I really believed he loved her. BTW, just watched Raging Bull. There was much yelling and screaming in that film. Does that diminish the acting? No. Al Pacino is emphatic when called for. Oh you also forgot The Insider with Russell Crowe. Give AP great material and he rises to the occasion.

The guy's played the same character in a dozen movies. He doesn't even phone it in anymore, he just leaves it on his outgoing message.

I believe we have some Pacino haters in this comments section. You can say hello to my little friend.

Thanks for mentioning that. Good call.

I can't believe I forgot to mention "Donnie Brasco."

Fuhggedaboutit.

Any reason a movie that came out a year ago is reviewed now?

Yes, he has been a great actor. So were Brando and Kinski -- didn't stop them from chewing the scenery in second-rate projects....

I try giving women "that look" from Frankie and Johnny, but instead of getting to sleep with Michelle Pfeiffer all I get is restraining orders.

It's been in the can for at least 2 years. It's just now being released in the United States, even though it has already been released internationally. I saw it about a year ago, and let me just say - there's a reason they let this stinker sit on the shelf so long.

He rolls his great eyes, muggs, eyebrows up, weird pauses, exagerated shrugs, like a pantomime. He's phoning in the same overwrought performance again and again. Anybody seen Donnie Brasco? Next to Pacino, Depps acting is so nuanced and understated that it's like watching Bella Lugosi pair up with Samantha Morton. Hmmm. Actually, not a good comparison, but you get the drift. Pacino hasn't done anything beyond schtick in a while, and I refuse to bow done before his supposed actor skilz till I see some current evidence of them.

Also, one review of this film referred to Pacino's orange tan and foot high pompadour, and, looking at the pics I have to agree, yet every woman in the film is hot for him. Pah! That may work for Al Pacino, the star, who no doubt attracts honey, but a grizzled, orange-skinned prof with a thinning boufant? I think not.

if you prefer johnny depp's acting to al pacino's, there's nothing more to be said. No one can possibly explain to you what a good performance is.

About the looking at a woman like michelle pfeifer and being slapped with a restraining order, it is a fine line, and not everyone can pull it off.

Comparing Marlon Brando to Al Pacino, Brando comes out the loser unfortunately. Al Pacino has far better roles to his credit. Towards the end of his life and career Brando displayed nothing but contempt for his profession. In defense of Brando tho, he chewed the scenery in Streetcar and it was still a worthwhile performance. Brad Pitt delivered an over-the-top performance in Fight Club. It was still enjoyable. Scenery chewing is only intolerable when it's done by Rachel Rae or Joy Behar.