5 Most Painfully Underrated Al Pacino Movies Everyone Should Watch At Least Once

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Al Pacino has starred in countless iconic films, but which of his movies don’t get the recognition they deserve? Following his success in the first two Godfather films, Pacino delivered a string of impressive performances in movies like Serpico and Scarface. He has a remarkably extensive and impressive body of work, though, like all actors, he’s also been in some films that weren’t as well-received.

Al Pacino’s 1985 film Revolution was a critical failure, leading him to take a four-year break from acting. More recently, his 2017 movie Hangman is widely considered his weakest work. However, between these disappointments, he’s made many strong films that deserve another look. These include provocative thrillers and a sequel that never got the recognition it deserved.

5. Cruising (1980)

When William Friedkin’s film was first released, it sparked intense controversy. The thriller featured Al Pacino as an undercover cop investigating a murder within New York’s gay S&M community, and it immediately drew strong criticism from LGBTQ+ activists. They believed the movie portrayed the community in a damaging and prejudiced way.

Initially, the film Cruising was a disappointment for both critics and audiences, and Al Pacino himself wasn’t happy with how it turned out. But over time, the movie has gained a new appreciation. It’s now seen as a complex story exploring themes of identity, hidden desires, police misconduct, and the way Pacino’s character becomes lost within his undercover role.

The way the killer is portrayed in Cruising is genuinely unsettling. Director Friedkin deliberately keeps the killer’s face hidden, and cleverly uses the actors who played victims earlier in the film to then portray the killer in subsequent scenes. The ending is also very open to interpretation, even hinting that Al Pacino’s character, Burns, might be the murderer himself.

Ultimately, Cruising is a shadowy and intricate murder mystery that gets better with each viewing. Different people can interpret the film in different ways, and it’s arguably the most overlooked work from both director William Friedkin and actor Al Pacino – despite Pacino himself not being a fan of it.

4. Carlito’s Way (1993)

As a film buff, I always get excited when I think about Carlito’s Way. It was fantastic to see Al Pacino and Brian De Palma team up again after their iconic Scarface back in ’83. This one, from ’93, stars Pacino as Carlito Brigante, a former criminal just trying to live an honest life in 1970s New York. The problem is, his old crew just won’t let him leave the past behind, constantly pulling him back into a life of crime.

Unlike the flashy intensity of Scarface, Carlito’s Way is a more subdued and thoughtful film. It centers on a criminal trying to leave his dangerous life behind, but finds it nearly impossible. As with many of Brian De Palma’s films, it’s visually stunning, and features expertly crafted scenes – the climactic chase through Grand Central Terminal is a prime example.

Al Pacino is supported by a fantastic cast, with Sean Penn particularly standing out as Carlito’s nervous and untrustworthy lawyer. Carlito’s Way is remarkable because Pacino delivers a surprisingly subtle performance – a contrast to the more over-the-top roles he took on later in the 90s, like in Scent of a Woman or The Devil’s Advocate.

While Carlito’s Way is a respected film, it often gets lost among Al Pacino’s more famous roles. It’s a beautifully crafted and emotionally powerful movie that deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

3. Insomnia (2002)

Though it was only his third movie, Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia is surprisingly overlooked. It’s a gripping and atmospheric thriller, and features a particularly strong performance from Al Pacino.

I just finished watching this really intense thriller! It’s a remake of an old Norwegian film, but it’s set in Alaska. Al Pacino plays a cop who’s brought in to investigate a young girl’s murder with his partner. Things go horribly wrong when, in a chase, he accidentally shoots and kills his partner. And to make matters even worse, the killer – played by Robin Williams – figures out what happened and starts blackmailing Pacino. It’s a wild ride, and Pacino’s character is clearly struggling with exhaustion throughout the whole thing.

Insomnia was a key film in Christopher Nolan’s career, helping him transition from smaller independent projects like Memento to large-scale blockbusters such as Batman Begins. Though it’s often overlooked, Nolan himself considers Insomnia to be his most underrated work.

The movie might actually be stronger if it were a bit more harsh, as it currently focuses too much on making Al Pacino’s character likable. However, it’s still a very good film – the acting is excellent, the action scenes are well-executed, and the desolate settings are visually impressive.

2. The Godfather Part III (1990)

It was always going to be difficult for The Godfather Part III to meet expectations. With The Godfather Part II widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, and a fifteen-year gap since the last installment, the third film faced a high bar. Upon its release, critics and audiences quickly pointed out its flaws.

Casting Sofia Coppola as the daughter of Michael Corleone was a poor choice; she lacked the experience to convincingly play the role. The sequel itself feels over-the-top and excessively dramatic, highlighted by the unbelievable scene of a helicopter attack on a gathering of mobsters.

Despite its problems, The Godfather Part III has some truly great moments. Al Pacino gives an amazing performance, convincingly portraying Michael Corleone as a man crushed by his past actions. The film is visually stunning, and Andy Garcia brings a much-needed burst of energy to the story.

Francis Ford Coppola considered The Godfather Part III a final chapter for Michael Corleone and originally wanted to present it as such. While the film certainly has its flaws, understanding it as a concluding addition allows it to sit more comfortably alongside The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, which are widely considered cinematic masterpieces.

1. The Recruit (2003)

Colin Farrell quickly became a rising star after his performance in the war film Tigerland. He soon appeared in several big movies, like Minority Report, Daredevil, and S.W.A.T.

One of Al Pacino’s early, defining roles was in The Recruit, where he plays a seasoned CIA officer mentoring a new recruit. Colin Farrell’s character is enthusiastic at first, but quickly finds himself caught up in a complex web of secrets and espionage.

Released in 2003, the film did reasonably well and helped establish Colin Farrell as a popular actor. It’s similar in style to the thriller Spy Game, which featured Robert Redford guiding a rising star, Brad Pitt, through the world of espionage. Both films involve an experienced agent mentoring someone new.

The film is full of surprising twists and turns that keep both the main character, a rookie spy played by Farrell, and the audience guessing. The two lead actors share a great connection on screen. While The Recruit was probably a straightforward job for Al Pacino, he seems to be enjoying himself and adds a touch of sophistication to what could have been a typical thriller.

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2026-02-16 02:12