Definition
Al Pacino (born 1940) is one of the greatest American film actors of all time, with a career spanning six decades and including some of the most iconic roles in cinema history: Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Frank Serpico in Serpico, Sonny in Dog Day Afternoon, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman (for which he won his only Oscar). Pacino is known for his explosive intensity, his ability to whisper and shout in the same scene, and his tendency to go completely over the top — which is exactly what audiences want from him.
Why It Matters
Al Pacino is the standard by which other actors are measured for intensity. His “Hoo-ah!” from Scent of a Woman became a catchphrase. His “Say hello to my little friend!” from Scarface is one of the most quoted movie lines ever. His transformation from the restrained, calculating Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) to the cocaine-fueled, shouting Tony Montana in Scarface (1983) shows an actor who went from subtle to spectacular — and never looked back. Pacino also became a meme in his later years: his performance in Heat (1995), his courtroom speech in And Justice for All (“I’m out of order? You’re out of order!”), and his general tendency to yell at full volume have been parodied endlessly.
Example
“He watched Scarface for the first time at 16. Al Pacino’s Tony Montana was coked out, paranoid, and screaming at assassins while holding a grenade launcher. It was the most ridiculous performance he had ever seen. He watched it 40 more times. He still quotes it. He is 35 now. Pacino broke his brain.”
Related Terms
- The Godfather — Pacino’s breakout role as Michael Corleone
- Scarface — The film that turned Pacino into a hip-hop icon
- Hoo-ah! — Pacino’s signature catchphrase from Scent of a Woman
- Method Acting — The technique Pacino is known for
- Robert De Niro — Pacino’s frequent co-star and rival