Sonny Boy: A Memoir

Pacino felt ready to jump into Hollywood films again, and starred in …And Justice for All. On the set of Justice with director Norman Jewison, Pacino had to assert himself and ask to work on the courtroom scene again. Though Jewison initially refused, Pacino eventually convinced him. He resented that, though he wanted what was best for the film, he was often perceived as being “difficult,” a label he rejects.

He then worked on Cruising, a movie about a serial killer who preys on gay men. Pacino had high hopes for the film, but now agrees that it was rightly criticized by the LGBTQ community for its representations of gay people. Pacino felt bad about his role in the film, and used the pay cheque for charity donations. He had another tense relationship with the director of Author! Author! and nearly left the production, but knew he was legally obliged to continue.

Pacino was intrigued by the original movie Scarface, and collaborated with his agent Marty Bregman to have it remade. Bregman wanted the movie to be colorful and zany, and hired Oliver Stone to direct it. Pacino embraced the two-dimensional, intense character of Tony Montana, who was inspired by Stone’s research with real mobsters and criminals. Pacino considered every part of the character carefully and researched Tony Montana’s Cuban origins and accent.

As usual, Pacino wanted to be faithful to the script and had strong opinions about including a certain location in the shoot, which again made him unpopular with the studio. During this time, Pacino began dating actress Kathleen Quinlan, who was the closest partner he came to marrying. However, he always conceived of marriage as a “pain train” (225) which he wanted to avoid.

Pacino performed in David Mamet’s play American Buffalo, during which time he lost a co-star to drug dependency. He was disappointed by the lukewarm critical and fan reception to Scarface, but over time the movie found an audience. Once it was embraced by hip hop artists, the movie became more trendy. Pacino reveals that it is still the biggest and most profitable film he has ever made.

After a tiring period of commercial and creative failure in Hollywood, Pacino decided to quit film acting. In hindsight, he realizes he went about this in the wrong way, believing that he could undo his decision at any time. His last film before his hiatus, entitled Revolution, was directed by a talented British director named Hugh Hudson. Unfortunately the film never found its feet, and Pacino regards it as a “disaster” (237) which affected Hudson’s career thereafter and marred Pacino’s reputation as well.

Pacino refocused on theater acting, performing in The Local Stigmatic by Heathcote Williams. He befriended the playwright, whose anarchic personality and talent for writing and the stage reminded him of his boyhood friend Cliffy. Pacino later developed the play into a film, but he never got the confidence to show it in theaters. At around this time Pacino began to date his friend from The Godfather, Diane Keaton. In hindsight, Pacino recalls how at peace he felt during this time, in which he was more creatively fulfilled and had a good relationship with Diane.

Pacino soon experienced money trouble, as he had gone broke from overspending. Diane was a forceful supporter during this time, and told his entertainment lawyer to help Pacino understand his money situation. Pacino reflects on how growing up in poverty made him feel ignorant about money management, as if it were a language he didn’t speak.

Eager to help him make money again, Diane found Pacino a script called Sea of Love. Since there was another actor attached to the lead role, Pacino needed some help with the project and called Marty Bregman, his old agent, who helped arrange the production. When the movie was released it was a great success, putting Pacino back on top of the film industry.

Pacino was astonished at how he was soon riding high on the success of Sea of Love. After The Godfather lll came out, however, it nearly “derailed” his Hollywood comeback, as it did not live up to people’s expectations. He recalls how he immediately agreed to do the film because he needed the money, but some other main cast members did not sign on, creating difficult script rewrites. Moreover, the director’s daughter, Sofia Coppola, took on a lead role meant for Winona Ryder at the last minute. While filming, Pacino felt depressed and wondered how to restore himself creatively. He mused over an idea of filming a version of Richard lll which included conversations with real people discussing the play.

Director Marty Brest cast Pacino as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman. Pacino wasn’t totally keen on the film, but he did a lot of research to play the blind, depressed colonel. That year, Pacino was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in that film as well as Glengarry Glen Ross. He decided to try to change his fearful and avoidant mindset about awards and hired a publicist to help him. He was uncomfortable doing talk shows such as the Barbara Walters interview, but he pushed himself to do it. 

Eventually, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his acting in Scent of a Woman. This time, Pacino was more comfortable in the spotlight and genuinely grateful for the award. He remembers feeling flattered and pleased that he had earned it and he reflects on how validation helps everyone get by.