I’ve long been a fan of Al Pacino, certainly ever since his foray into the world of the mafia as Michael Corleone. However where I have always enjoyed his intensity, there are those who feel that he’s become somewhat of a one-trick pony and that he basically just knows how to scream ferociously on camera. And admittedly I would have to agree to a point, as even I thought he went way over the top as Tony Montana in “Scarface” (and yes… I know I am in the minority…). But when he reins it in, the intensity is almost overwhelming. That said, as much I enjoy Pacino as an actor, he can have as many hits as misses. Such is true in the case of two films that are being re-released this month to celebrate the theatrical release of his newest thriller, “88.” On one hand, you have the Norman Jewison directed “…And Justice For All,” which is still one of my favorite Al Pacino films. Here he stars as Arthur Kirkland, a defense attorney who actually cares about his clients… not their money (yes… in that respect it IS a fantasy film).

In this 1979 feature film, Kirkland finds himself in the middle of a huge rape case, one that involves a very high level judge. He spends a good portion of the film trying to decide if he should do what is right for his career or simply what is right. This is the main plot of the film, but it is the subplots that make it so much more fascinating. Mixed into Kirkland’s life are an attorney (Jeffrey Tambor) who is slowly going crazy because he helped to acquit a murderer who killed again, a suicidal judge (Jack Warden) bent on sticking to him like glue, and an innocent man whose life is being torn away in prison. It is a satirical look at the criminal justice system that is as relevant now as it was then.

Just two years before taking this role, Pacino starred in “Bobby Deerfield” as a race car driver who becomes melancholic after the death of a good friend. But upon meeting a terminally ill woman (Marthe Keller), his life begins to change. She tries to teach him to live for each moment and cherish the time he has. It’s a great bit of advice, but unfortunately the 2 hours I used watching the film back then and the two hours I re-spent last week on the new DVD are 4 hours that I did not cherish. This movie falls into the ‘why oh why did Pacino make it’ category. I do imagine that just having come off of “Dog Day Afternoon” he simply wanted to do something a little more understated. It just didn’t really work. Still, if you are a Pacino completist, you’ll want this disc in your collection.

As for extra features, “…And Justice For All” comes with a commentary by Norman Jewison, some interview footage of Jewison an writer Barry Levinson and a handful of deleted scenes. There is also a look at the new film “88.” “Bobby Deerfield” has no extra features except the same look at “88”.

Always willing to take the bad with the good, I still love seeing older films getting new DVD treatment. Of these two, go with “And Justice For All” if you can only afford one. If you’re a huge fan, grab them both.

…And Justice For All
Directed by: Norman Jewison
Starring: Al Pacino, Jeffrey Tambor, John Forsythe, Christine Lahti
Extras: Commentary by Norman Jewison,
Specifications: Widescreen, Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1

Bobby Deerfield
Directed by:
Starring: Al Pacino, Marthe Keller
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen, Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1

Studio: Sony
Release Date: 3/11/2008
Region: 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website

We'll give And Justice for All an A.
We'll give Bobby Deerfield a C-.