Sonny Boy: A Memoir

Pacino’s dependency on drinking and drugs intensified. His dependency caused him to feel agitated at times, and even question reality occasionally. He worked on Dog Day Afternoon, again with Sidney Lumet, and was surprised when it went on to become another critical and box office success. After the film, Pacino became even more recognizable, which he disliked. He felt alone in coping with his fame, since he did not have anyone close to him who could relate to it. His anxiety made him more reclusive, and he spent a lot of time alone in his apartment. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Dog Day Afternoon, and once again, he did not attend the ceremony due to his discomfort with the public attention.

His friend Charlie had recognized his own alcohol dependency and quit drinking because of it. Pacino, meanwhile, continued to pursue drinking “as a way of life” (195) until Charlie intervened. Once Pacino experienced some black-outs and panic attacks, he decided that Charlie was right, and sought help. After trying Alcoholics Anonymous, Pacino felt that one-on-one therapy was better for him, and over time he quit drinking.

Feeling depressed, Pacino didn’t really want to leave his apartment, let alone go to Europe to work, but Charlie convinced him to go and star in Bobby Deerfield, a film about a race car driver.