'The Interview': Al Pacino Is Still Going Big

Al Pacino shares his profound insights on the nature of acting, its impact on his life, and the significant moments that have shaped his storied career.

Pacino's perspective on the essence and purpose of acting

Al Pacino believes acting has been his salvation, providing him with a sense of purpose akin to the fulfillment that musicians like Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra found in their crafts. He suggests that just as drumming or singing gave meaning to their lives, acting has given profound meaning to his own.

Pacino's views on the role of the actor and the debate around "acting" vs. "real life"

Pacino holds a different view from Marlon Brando on the essence of acting. While Brando considered acting to be "glorified lying," Pacino sees it as "glorified telling the truth." For Pacino, acting is about finding authenticity within a character, a process that fundamentally differs from plain falsehood. He also shares his previous hesitance towards interviews, concerned that revealing too much could color the audience's perception of his characters.

Pacino's evolution as an actor and the impact of landmark roles

Discussing the evolution of his craft, Al Pacino reflects on the transformation of his acting style through his career. He acknowledges that his role in "Scarface" marked a turn towards a more heightened, operatic form of acting, a departure from his earlier work. He feels that the truly inspired acting of his career occurred not in such bombastic roles but rather in the delicate performances of his youth when he was "so in it." In fact, a teacher once convinced his mother of his potential, guiding him towards the discipline of acting.

Pacino also reveals the creative process behind tackling complex characters such as those in "The Godfather" films and "Serpico." Expressing uncertainty in approaching emotively charged scenes, he illustrates the delicate balance actors must strike in their performances. Rather than focusing on the challenge of specific scenes, such as the pivotal moment his character Michae ...

Al Pacino shares candidly about his recent life-threatening experience, his contemplations on mortality, and his increasingly complex relationship with fame.

Pacino's thoughts on mortality and the meaning of life

Reflecting on Existential Questions

Pacino recounts his near-death experience with COVID-19, during which he almost died and was without a pulse. This brush with death made him ponder existential questions about the afterlife and the value of his life's work. Submerged in deep reflection, he thought about the transient nature of existence, considering Hamlet's pondering of "the undiscovered country" and the discomforting concept of "no more." His body of work and the act of having children have offered him a different view on death, one he hadn't contemplated earlier in his career.

The Birth of His Son as Consolation

The birth of his son Roman has provided Pacino with amazement and a fresh outlook on the continuation of life, as he witnesses his child discover the world. He speculates that documenting his life story, perhaps influenced by the subconscious confrontation with his own mortality, might serve to extend his presence, giving Roman knowledge of his father's life. As he ponders the birth of a child late in life, Pacino acknowledges the possible connection to his mortality, marveling at the existence of something greater in the universe, which suggests a form of spiritual continuity beyond death.

Pacino's relationship with fame and self-perception

The Duality of Public Persona Versus Private Self

Pacino grapples with the duality of being a public figure versus his genuine, private self. He notes that the "Al Pacino" the public witnesses is distinct from the person he is behind closed doors. In interviews, ...

Al Pacino, revered for his immense contribution to acting, unveils his complex relationship with money and the impact it has had on his career choices and artistic endeavors.

Pacino's background and early struggles with financial insecurity

Pacino’s modest upbringing and exposure to poverty have heavily influenced his approach to financial matters. Despite his father's occupation as an accountant, Pacino diverged from a path of financial knowledge, choosing instead to focus on his work in the arts. This lack of interest in wealth management inevitably led Pacino to accept certain roles not for their artistic merit but because they provided a paycheck, indicating past struggles with financial insecurity.

Pacino's experiences with financial mismanagement and loss

At one point, Pacino faced a startling reality of financial depletion when he discovered that all his money was gone, a misfortune caused by his accountant’s illegal acts that resulted in imprisonment. This dire situation compelled Pacino to seek out quick, lucrative acting opportunities, such as his role in Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill," which he undertook out of urgent financial necessity.

Pacino's current perspective on money and wealth

Despite these setbacks, Pacino exhibits a detached, almost stoic attitude towards money; he still sees wealth as an intrinsic part of his profession but not the ultimate driving force behind his artistic decisions. He strives for excellence in every role, including those undertaken for monetar ...