MovieChat Forums > Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Discussion > Sonny was bisexual?

Sonny was bisexual?

posted 10 years ago by LuvvieHowell
21 replies | jump to latest

I love this film. It has everything; comedy, tragedy, tension, drama, and of course, my boy Al.

I just watched it again after not seeing it for many years. It had the same shocking effect as it did the first time I saw it.

Couple of comments/questions, though:

1. When Sonny asks for his wife to be brought in, 2 police DO go look up Angie. Why doesn't she come to the bank?

2. Where do they come up with Leon? He's in Bellevue, they weren't legally married, and he's on a psyche hold for a suicide attempt..I don't understand.

3. They found a catholic priest in NYC who married them in a church? With 7 bridesmaids and almost a 100 wedding guests? In 1972, this would have caused a riot. I lived then, and same sex marriages were side-show freaks.

4. I cannot, under any circumstances, picture Pacino as a gay or bisexual man. I was disappointed in his performance for only this one reason...he didn't give an INKLING that he was attracted to men. Or that he had a confused sexuality. Instead it seems perfectly natural for him to have a male wife and a female wife. It seems like it was pushing.

All it would have taken was a fleeting micro-expression on Pacino's face, or a phrase, or SOMETHING that would convince me that he was making love to another man.

5. I was disappointed with the phone conversation between Sonny and Leon. What purpose did it serve? Pacino was good at looking like a pale, sweaty, drained train wreck, but I kept hoping for SOMETHING to come out of his mouth that would have made that conversation memorable...like perhaps..

Sonny: "You know you're the only man i ever loved." or "I did this for you." or even just a plain old "I love you." But nothing! It could easily have been a conversation between two straight men.

6. Sal: God, was he annoying! I was almost glad when they shot him. He has too little dialogue...for the last half of the movie, he could have replaced with a mannequin.

Comments?

[–] swlabr 10 years ago

I think you will find your answer in the next two threads which discuss the documentary "The Dog". Very interesting read,

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 10 years ago

I cannot, under any circumstances, picture Pacino as a gay or bisexual man. I was disappointed in his performance for only this one reason...he didn't give an INKLING that he was attracted to men.

He played a human being who happens to love a man, as opposed to a Will & Grace minstrel show.

All it would have taken was a flighting micro-expression on Pacino's face

I think we did get that, from Sonny's defiant and contemptuous expression when the news broadcast was talking about his wedding.

Have you ever seen 1995's Home for the Holidays? Robert Downey Jr. didn't play a gay character with the stereotypical sensitive personality either. Rather, the character was surprisingly aggressive at times, out of frustration for his circumstances. It's similar to what Pacino did in Dog Day.

Sonny: "You know you're the only man i ever loved." or "I did this for you." or even just a plain old "I love you." But nothing! It could easily have been a conversation between two straight men.

Well we don't need it hit over our heads that they love each other. It was obvious the first time Sonny sees Leon being brought to the crime scene. It was also obvious when Leon tells Sonny, "You're not dying. You're killing the people around you."

Plus, the point of the scene was to have the phone conversation be awkward and sidestepping. Look at the rest of the film, no one really wants to confront what's going on. The bank tellers aren't going, "Please don't kill us!" Rather, they're indignant about not being able to use the restroom. Everyone's trying to put on a brave face.

Sal: God, was he annoying! I was almost glad when they shot him. He has too little dialogue...for the last half of the movie, he could have replaced with a mannequin.

Have to respectfully disagree; Cazale did so much with his eyes and reactions throughout the film. And we already had motor mouth Sonny, it makes sense for his partner to be the silent type, lol.

"Whoever he is, this Torch is dangerous...He has a sense of humor!" (Son of Monte Cristo, 1940)

[–] puplover 10 years ago

@ClearWintryDay- Your explanation to the OP on each of those points was SO unbelievably right on and perfectly explained that I bow to you, sir (madam?) I was ready to get almost a tad defensive about the last 2 points the OP was bothered by. But, you explained it w/o any condescending diatribes like I would have done. (I was gonna write: what, do you want EVERYTHING spelled out to you like a 1st grader?)

Also, you wrote:

The bank tellers aren't going, "Please don't kill us!" Rather, they're indignant about not being able to use the restroom. Everyone's trying to put on a brave face.

Brilliant analysis of that small moment. Bravo!

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 10 years ago

Thank you for the kind words, you don't know how much I needed that today, lol. Dog Day certainly is an unusual movie and its style isn't often repeated, which I think throws a lot of people off even to this day. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter as well.

"Whoever he is, this Torch is dangerous...He has a sense of humor!" (Son of Monte Cristo, 1940)

[–] puplover 10 years ago

Honestly, and this just about never happens, you articulated my thoughts on this perfectly. I cannot improve on them.

Words cannot describe how enamored I am w/ this movie: it's truly one of a kind. What Al Pacino did in this was miraculous. Did you notice the "twitch" he added as well? In some scenes when he is outside negotiating w/ Durning, he does this blinking thing that connotes anxiety. Another subtle layer he added that betrays his attempts at trying to seem in control. Brilliance.

I am in the minority here but I truly believe that Al should have taken home the gold that year vs Nicholson. Of course, Nicholson was no slouch but if you really compare the performances, Pacino's was so much more layered and really more memorable. I don't find that Cuckoos Nest has a lot of repeat value. Thoughts?

[–] franzkabuki 10 years ago

"Al should have taken home the gold that year vs Nicholson".

Yeah, Nicholson actually gave TWO absolutely outstanding (and vastly different) performances in 1975 - the other one in The Passenger - but in the end I still think Pacino would have deserved it more. One of the most electrifying, complex acting gigs ever, really.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 10 years ago

I don't find that Cuckoos Nest has a lot of repeat value. Thoughts?

Considering I only saw Cuckoos Nest once (in film class) and never again, I have to agree, lol. Pacino as Sonny and Cazale as Sal feel more like potential mental cases than Nicholson ever did. We like them, but we also know we probably shouldn't get too close, lol. As you say, there's so much anxiety being built up and you don't get the impression either of them are fully in control of themselves or the situation.

"Whoever he is, this Torch is dangerous...He has a sense of humor!" (Son of Monte Cristo, 1940)

[–] puplover 10 years ago

Pacino as Sonny and Cazale as Sal feel more like potential mental cases than Nicholson ever did.

Perfect!

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 10 years ago

😄

"Whoever he is, this Torch is dangerous...He has a sense of humor!" (Son of Monte Cristo, 1940)

[–] AnaElisa 10 years ago

Words can not say how much I love these classic films of the 70's, and Dog Day Afternoon is close to the very top on my favorites list. I recently learned that Pacino's fumbling with getting the rifle out of the flower box, was totally improvised by him. And, what a great move that was...completely setting the stage of everything becoming botched.

Yes, Pacino should have received the Oscar for his role (rather than for Scent of a Woman, but that's another story). And, have you ever seen his first film role The Panic In Needle Park? Whoa, talk about a star being born.

-AnaElisa

[–] franzkabuki 10 years ago

"Instead it seems perfectly natural to him to have a male wife and a female wife".

Apparently it WAS perfectly natural to him. "Gotta get some fun out of life!"

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 10 years ago

I just want to reply to one point the OP was trying to make, That Pacino gave no indication that he might be gay or sexually confused...

I read the novelization in high school, and this really stood out to me then, and was important to my understanding of homosexual men (and women, frankly) - that this guy is a MAN. In ways that re not necessarily flattering, in terms of stereotyped male behavior (he is violent), but make no mistake, he is by no means feminine. It showed me that homosexuality cannot be reduced to the effeminate, mincing stereotype that you still see in films and shows today at times. Who this guy sleeps with is completely besides the point, which, societal perceptions aside, is absolutely true.

Catch 'The Dog'. Pacino captured this guy perfectly. He's a macho, sex crazed (if perverted) man! Also sensitive.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] LuvvieHowell 8 years ago

Nice. Thank you for your kind words about me, a person you've never met and know absolutely nothing about save for a few lines on a message board.

I do NOT have a "problem with gay people." In fact, if you knew who I was, your comment would show itself for how totally ridiculous and off base it is.

Sigh. I am often saddened at the meanness of people posting anonymously on the internet. You are on ignore.

[–] Phillip Marlowe 8 years ago

1. When Sonny asks for his wife to be brought in, 2 police DO go look up Angie. Why doesn't she come to the bank?

2. Where do they come up with Leon? He's in Bellevue, they weren't legally married, and he's on a psyche hold for a suicide attempt..I don't understand.

When Sonny asks for his wife to come to the bank, he gives Moretti written information where his wife can be found. We can assume that this tells the police to find Leon at Bellevue. The film then shows two patrolmen visiting Angie; this is just a red herring to make the revelation of Leon more dramatic. Sonny did not ask for her to be brought (though he later berates her on the phone for not coming) and the policeman do not ask her to come. We can presume that the police were sent to Angie after Sonny was identified.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] somesunnyday 8 years ago

I cannot, under any circumstances, picture Pacino as a gay or bisexual man. I was disappointed in his performance for only this one reason...he didn't give an INKLING that he was attracted to men. Or that he had a confused sexuality. Instead it seems perfectly natural for him to have a male wife and a female wife. It seems like it was pushing.

You need to get out more and explore life

[–] Saltpeter 8 years ago

All it would have taken was a fleeting micro-expression on Pacino's face, or a phrase, or SOMETHING that would convince me that he was making love to another man.

How about the classic metaphorical snark he throws at the cop who's trying to make a deal with him: "Kiss me, man. When I'm gettin' *beeped* I like to get kissed a lot."

Outside of "Attica!" it's the most quoted line in the film. Pacino even repeated it in his Inside the Actors Studio interview. It got a huge round of applause, while he just rolled his eyes. A classic moment!

[–] franzkabuki 8 years ago

"I cannot, under any circumstances, picture as a gay or bisexual man. I was disappointed in his performance for only this one reason".

I think there was definitely a slight effeminate touch to his characterization. Besides, I suspect there are gay men out there who indeed do seem totally straight or even macho.

"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

[–] orchidclub 8 years ago

1. She didn't go to the bank because she was scared. She tells Pacino this when they talk on the phone.

2. Pacino told them how to find Leon. When Pacino was referring to his wife, he meant Leon.

3. They state in the movie that the priest who married them was later defrocked.

4. What did you expect Pacino to do? Start drooling every time an attractive man walks by?

5. You don't have to explicitly SAY "I love you" for the message to get across. The fact that he robbed a bank for Leon pretty much says it all.

6. Cazale was brilliant. You're wrong.

[–] liscarkat (18536) 2 years ago

Pacino didn't seem gay? You must think all gay men camp it up and flounce around like Nathan Lane.