People I Know

Furthermore has "People I know" nothing to offer. The writing was very messy and the characters aren't very well written as well. The movie is a mess and a huge disappointment. There are some other famous names relied to this movie, except from Pacino. Kim Basinger and Ryan O'Neal (the guy we now from "Love Story") are also starring this movie, as well as Téa Leoni. What the director was trying to say wasn't bad, the point he wanted to make was good, but the way he has done it wasn't good at all. I don't see why Al Pacino has chosen to play this role, but as a true Pacino fan, I think this was the worst movie I've ever seen him in. Not exactly worth watching. 5/10

Firstly, I must clearly claim that this is not a good film. And, I would never watch it, if Pacino wasn't in it. It is about a publicist's strange 24 hours. And, he is overworked, dizzy, sick, and sometimes regretful. I don't like the character at all. It's really boring; after 20 minutes, you may fall asleep. On the other hand, I don't understand why Pacino wanted to be a part of this horrible film. Just because of cash -- or what? Since I'm an avid Pacino fan, I bought this 2002 film "People I Know". If you haven't bought it yet, don't even think about it, it's just a waste of time.

Eli Wurman (Al Pacino, in another outstanding performance) is a decadent drug addicted New Yorker public relation, who is promoting a social event on behalf of Afro-Americans. The movie is based on two days of his crazy life, the day of the event and the day before, making contacts and favors, 'kissing asses', using drugs etc. Victoria Gray (Kim Bassinger) is his widow sister-in-law and passion in the past. Cary Launer (Ryan O'Neal) is an Oscar winner actor and principal client of Eli. On the day before of the event, Eli will find out secrets that evolve powerful men of America. 'People I Know' is not a bad movie. But it is not good also. In the end of the plot, the viewer will question whether this is a thriller, a drama, a romance. And further, something seems to be missing in the screenplay of this movie. My vote is five. Title (Brazil): "O Articulador" ("The Articulator")

Much as we all love Al Pacino, it was painful to see him in this movie. A publicity hack at the grubby ending of what seems to have once been a distinguished and idealistic career Pacino plays his part looking like an unmade bed and assaulting everyone with a totally bogus and inconsistent southern accent. The plot spools out this way and that with so many loose ends and improbabilities that the mind reels (and then retreats). Kim Basinger is there, not doing much. Her scenes with Pacino are flat and unconvincing. Hard to believe they meant a lot to each other. There's no energy there. Tea Leone, on the other hand, lit up the screen. She was electric and her scenes with Pacino were by far the most interesting in the movie, but not enough to save Al from embarrassment.

...and who knows you that count! That "who knows you" is the key. I sense from some of the comments that people just don't get it, especially when they write things about "seeing an old, tired Pacino." Since that was the role he was playing, that might give you a clue why he seemed that way. Sigh. But I haven't heard anyone comment either on the irony that while he was trying hard, literally, to mind his own business, the affairs (again literally) of others kept dragging him down and ultimately killed him. It was literally the person he knew, and was trying to defend, who (directly or indirectly) killed him or had him killed because he "knew too much", specifically the woman he was supposed to be getting rid of. I'm a big Pacino fan and will see anything he's in. Although it's nowhere as great as his other films (subdued and you sometimes see him peek out of the role), it is Pacino, and that's good enough to invest 2 hours of your life in watching anytime.

I'd never heard of this 2002 film until Ebert and Roper reviewed a few weeks ago and I was pleasantly suprised since I don't think Al Pacino has been doing his best work lately. In this film, he's right on target and the film is pretty fascinating. He looks haggard, overworked, and struggling with all kinds of things. Even Ryan O'Neal is believable for a change (of course, the character he plays fits him to a tee). I don't know if this one went straight to video or what, but search it out (especially Pacino fans). A definite 7 out of 10. Tea Leoni is sharp as a tack playing a flake. The entire supporting cast blends in nicely and this resembles a David Mamet script.

Pacino is extraordinary. The much-lamented accent is sorta a bisexual/Georgian/"Noo Yawk" ... it represents a complex mixture of dialect for a complex character perfectly portrayed by Pacino - balls and all. His work seems to become increasingly esoteric over the years, and outside of his character, the storyline is uneven and downright wretched in some parts. But Pacino redeems even the drek and delivers a landmark performance that one wouldn't expect as he nears closer to being able to collect Social Security. Gutsy, bold, and brilliant. The script and direction needed quite a bit of work- but Pacino's performance is compelling enough to wonder exactly what he will do next. A must-see for Pacino fans.