it's a doozy: Bonding over a cup of coffee in a diner, Pacino and De Niro talk
about the importance of professionalism, the fact that they're flip sides of the
same coin and, ultimately, that neither plans on backing down when push comes to
shove. If you think these two can channel intensity on their own, just watch
what happens when they're in the same room: The tough-guy meter goes way into
the red. Despite Pacino's and De Niro's tendency to occasionally slip into old
habits -- the former's yelling jags, the latter's repetitively terse line
readings -- this 10-minute sequence proves they can still bring the heat (ouch!)
when it counts. It also proves that, when these guys are face to face, they're
ultimately an even match.
Winner: A split decision. We're giving both of them the
belt.
(Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection)
Which contender is tops? Write us at heymsn@microsoft.com
Sound off: Comment on this story | Also: Features Archive
David Fear is a film critic for Time Out New York. He's also written for
the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Filter and MovieMaker
magazine.
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