This film, while worthwhile, doesn't quite live up to the hype surrounding it. Sidney Lumet directed this movie, which draws from an actual event that police cadets still examine: a man who robs a bank to fund his partner’s gender confirmation surgery, but then holds the manager and employees hostage when things go wrong, desperately trying to avoid being killed or apprehended by the police surrounding the building while also dealing with a hostile crowd. The film came out in 1975, and it feels perfectly suited to that era—a time of widespread protest, questioning of authority, and advancement for LGBTQ+ rights. I’m not entirely clear on the specifics of the real-life event that inspired the story, so I've chosen to concentrate on the film itself as a dramatic work. Beyond the effective set design, costumes, and filming location, the cinematography is excellent, contributing significantly to the movie’s visual appeal. The initial pacing is brisk but then slows down in the middle, possibly mirroring the give-and-take of negotiations between law enforcement and the inept robbers. If history reflects its time, so too do the conversations, which contain a level of profanity previously unheard of on screen. Despite many people considering this film essential viewing, I can’t quite agree. It's definitely worth watching for fans of Al Pacino or Lumet, and it would be an appropriate choice for a retrospective of 1970s films, but that’s about all. It's a solid movie, but it doesn't really stick with you. Pacino is fantastic—he was clearly at a high point in his career during this film—though I have to say he’s been in several better movies both before and after. “Godfather 3,” “Scent of a Woman,” and “Devil’s Advocate” immediately come to mind. John Cazale delivers a good performance in a more restrained role, and Charles Durning and Chris Sarandon are also deserving of recognition for their contributions.

Source on TMDB