The Panic in Needle Park
by Jerry Schatzberg
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Al Pacino, Alan Vint, Kiel Martin, Kitty Winn, Richard BrightDirector: Jerry Schatzberg
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 109 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-06-19
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of The Panic in Needle Park
Movie Review: Honesty rarely hurts this much...
Summary: 5 Stars
There are few films that are truly able to capture what it feels like to be addicted. Probably the film that comes the closest and is the most compelling (albeit most disturbing) is `Requiem for a Dream'; at least in my humble opinion. The little known gem that is `The Panic in Needle Park' comes very close though, for like `Requiem for a Dream', `The Panic in Needle Park' strips everything bare and delivers a very harsh reality to the viewer, exploring the depths that some will stoop to just to find their next fix.
`The Panic in Needle Park' tells the story of Bobby, a young heroine addict who falls in love with Helen, a sweet and innocent young girl who is taken up by Booby's apparent bad boy persona. He is new and interesting and unlike anyone she's ever really known before. Sure, she's been around drugs but she's never really been exposed at such an alarming rate until she met Bobby. Soon she becomes are addicted as he is, getting in and out of trouble with the cops as she peddles for Bobby, buys for Bobby and scores with Bobby. Bobby's brother Hank isn't much help, for while he isn't as addicted as Bobby, his criminal activities leave him just as bad an influence. As the film spirals towards its conclusion the lives of these two lovers become more and more disjointed and frantic and the panic sets in and the addiction takes over.
The film is grim (no where near as grim as `Requiem for a Dream' so don't worry too much) and it's gritty delivery makes each and every scene seem as if it is really taking place (the lack of any musical soundtrack helps add a layer of reality to the film). The performances really elevate the film as well, drawing the audience into the mental states of these star-crossed and ill-fated individuals. Kitty Winn is marvelous as Helen, a truly devastating depiction of lost dreams and manipulated trust. As she deteriorates due to Bobby's influence we watch her addictions take over her thinking and propel her in directions she never thought imaginable. When she talks to Bobby at the prison, her face contorting to that of pain and misery you can see every fiber in her slowly fraying at the edges. Al Pacino is also flawless as Bobby. This is the performance that got him the coveted role in `The Godfather' saga; Coppola falling in love with Pacino's acting ability here. He seeps effortlessly into the mind of an addict, conveying the hunger so readily and convincingly. He is outstandingly sympathetic at one extreme and then harrowingly vile on the other. He balances this very well in order to gain out acceptance and loyalty, much like Bobby gained that of Helen.
In the end I must say that I am in awe of this film. Like I mentioned, there are few films that can capture the heart of addiction with such fiery honesty, even though many films today try. `The Panic in Needle Park' has such a rare truthfulness in its story and it rings forth with such power that one cannot help but become absorbed in its tale. It is a hard film to watch because its misery is so real, but it is an important film to see for it sheds some light on the disease that takes so many victims today.
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