Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Introduction
"Dog Day Afternoon" is a 1975 American crime-drama movie directed by Sidney Lumet, written by Frank Pierson and starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning and Chris Sarandon. The movie title refers to the sultry hot days in Brooklyn during August 1972.

Plot Summary
The movie focuses on a bank burglary that intensified into a tense captive circumstance. Al Pacino plays Sonny Wortzik, an unconventional novice burglar, motivated by a real-life event - the robbery of Chase Manhattan Bank in Brooklyn.

The movie begins with Sonny and his buddy Sal Naturale (John Cazale) preparing to rob a bank for Sonny's partner's reassignment surgical treatment. The surgery was deemed essential as Sonny's better half Liz (Chris Sarandon) had actually identified herself as transgender. Their companion Stevie (Gary Springer) abandons them out of fear, shaking the duo's confidence. Nevertheless, they continue their robbery effort just to discover most of the cash currently got for the day.

Conflict and Drama
Their break-in starts to crumble due to bad execution, however things take a sharp twist when their 3rd partner, Stevie abondons them out of worry and a teller hit a quiet alarm, ultimately signaling the police. Sonny and Sal are trapped and unintentionally turned into hostage-takers. They barricade themselves in the bank, taking a group of employees as their hostages.

As the drama unfolds, Sonny works out with Sergeant Eugene Moretti (Charles Durning), ends up being a small celebrity amongst the onlookers, and attempts to protect an airplane to leave the country. As the circumstance intensifies, Sonny reveals his inspiration behind the stopped working robbery to the shock of everybody around.

Dénouement
The film's climax shows up in the guise of an FBI representative, Sheldon (James Broderick), taking over the settlements. The robbers and captives are transferred to the airport in a limousine; during the journey, Sheldon shoots Sal after he brandishes his weapon. Upon their arrival at the airport, Sonny is arrested, making for a significant and tragic end to the tense scenario.

Themes
"Dog Day Afternoon" checks out themes like sexuality, social inequality, and media's influence on modern life. It's a stark representation of desperation and human tricks, turning an account of a failed bank robbery into a review of modern living. This movie not only challenges traditional social standards but also questions the vanity and vacuity of modern life.

Reception
The movie was extensively valued and is remembered even today for its powerful efficiencies, especially by Al Pacino. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was chosen in five other categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Pacino, Best Supporting Actor for Sarandon, and Best Film Editing. It was likewise chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, traditionally, or visually substantial".

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