Al Pacino took advantage of his role in 1971s `The Panic in Needle Park' to propel his career that would reach superstar status in the next years `The Godfather.' Pacino plays a pathetic heroin addict that is hell bent on bringing down his new girlfriend, Helen (Kathy Winn) with him. The realism and location shooting of this gritty inner city drug tale seems to be way ahead of its time as the disgusting reality is portrayed much as it is in later, more graphic films such as `Sid & Nancy,' `Drugstore Cowboy,' `Basketball Diaries' and `Trainspotting.'
As the movie progresses Helen moves from being just a girlfriend to being another junkie to being a prostitute that will do anything with anyone in order to the next fix. There is not to be any redemption in this story, much like the bitter truth that is the existence of many drug addicts just a long downward spiral that ultimately ends in death or prison.
There are some great supporting roles in this film, namely Richard Bright (`The Getaway,' `The Godfather Trilogy') as Pacino's brother who is only slightly better off; he is not an addict, he is a thief. One of the most ironic, sad parts of this story is when Pacino decides to marry Helen and his brother wants to see them get off on the right foot so he offers him a job on his next heist. Of course, our addict manages to overdose that afternoon and cannot make it to his first day on the larcenous job. Joe Santos (`The Rockford Files') and Raul Julia are also mart of the good supporting cast.
Others have commented on this movie having a poor ending; I do not agree. I think this movie has an all to realistic ending when Pacino leaves a prison term that was brought on by the traitorous activity of his girlfriend only to have her meet him a the doors of the prison as they walk off together. Sadly, this is often the way it is in addiction nothing matters at all except the next fix.
As the movie progresses Helen moves from being just a girlfriend to being another junkie to being a prostitute that will do anything with anyone in order to the next fix. There is not to be any redemption in this story, much like the bitter truth that is the existence of many drug addicts just a long downward spiral that ultimately ends in death or prison.
There are some great supporting roles in this film, namely Richard Bright (`The Getaway,' `The Godfather Trilogy') as Pacino's brother who is only slightly better off; he is not an addict, he is a thief. One of the most ironic, sad parts of this story is when Pacino decides to marry Helen and his brother wants to see them get off on the right foot so he offers him a job on his next heist. Of course, our addict manages to overdose that afternoon and cannot make it to his first day on the larcenous job. Joe Santos (`The Rockford Files') and Raul Julia are also mart of the good supporting cast.
Others have commented on this movie having a poor ending; I do not agree. I think this movie has an all to realistic ending when Pacino leaves a prison term that was brought on by the traitorous activity of his girlfriend only to have her meet him a the doors of the prison as they walk off together. Sadly, this is often the way it is in addiction nothing matters at all except the next fix.