- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Gallery Books; 1 edition (April 22 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1416955569
- ISBN-13: 978-1416955566
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 181 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #208,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Journalist Grobel, who literally wrote the book on interviewing (The Art of the Interview), puts his talent on full display in this compilation of interviews conducted with Al Pacino over 25 years, giving the reader as much insight into interviewing style as into the legendary actor. Notoriously private, Pacino shares stories about his formative years, his preference for the theater over movies and how he handles criticism. Pacino's views on acting, punctuated by stories of preparing for iconic roles like Tony Montana in Scarface, are fascinating, and his obvious passion for and dedication to acting in all its forms is inspiring. But it's the personal side of Pacino many readers will look for, and Grobel does a deft and graceful job eliciting tales from the actor's upbringing and notorious fear of romantic commitment. Although the two are friends, Grobel maintains a respectful distance in the book, allowing Pacino the slack to cut things short or-after a few attempts-decline to answer. Part of the book's draw, however, is witnessing the two become closer as the years go by, their conversations becoming less formal and more intimate, making for increasingly engaging and illuminating reading. Until the famously shy Pacino authorizes a proper, official biography, this title makes a fine substitute.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
These interviews of Pacino conducted by Grobel and spanning the years 1979 to 2005 read more like old buddies conversing than formal discussion between aloof professionals, and in fact, Grobel and the notoriously aloof actor have became close friends. Still, even in what he claims was his first interview ever, Pacino seems, surprisingly, relaxed and open. Altogether, these are nine warts-and-all portraits of Pacino, full of surprising details about him and his life. For example, at one point Pacino laments that he is never given a comic role, despite his early experience writing and appearing in comedy reviews in the Village. Equally fascinating are moments when Pacino turns the tables on Grobel, answering questions with other questions that throw Grobel off balance and require him to be as on-his-toes as Pacino clearly is. Grobel and Pacino maintain a remarkable openness throughout, by the end creating the illusion that the reader has really gotten to know the man behind Serpico, Scarface, and Michael Corleone. Jack Helbig
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inside look,
By Johnny Coldpepper (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Al Pacino (Hardcover)
I bought this book right after Christmas, without reading into it much I knew I'd want it simply because I really enjoy Al Pacino's movies. This book is interesting as it spans 25 years from a first meeting back in the 70's to interviews that took place in recent years. Not only do you learn a lot about Al over this time but the style of questions change as you can tell the Grobel and Pacino become good friends. This would be an interesting read for anyone interested in Al Pacino or anyone interested in the artistic side of acting. Al puts the reader in his shoes and lets you really get to know him and how he feels about certain things(women, theatre, oscars, money, and a whole lot about Shakespeare). This is a fun read with lots of interesting and funny stories throughout. There is also a great introduction to al pacino's past featured as an Introduction. Buy it!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews) 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A FASCINATING LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF A GREAT ACTOR !!,
By RBSProds "rbsprods" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Al Pacino (Hardcover)
Five BIG Stars!! A fascinating and frank look at Al Pacino in an article and essays, but mostly through interviews with one of his most cherished friends. Lawrence Grobel is an award-winning author and longtime trusted Pacino associate. Even so, he is a probing, persistent journalist who asks the tough questions. In the foreword, Al "forgives" him for this book. The introduction reveals Alfredo James (Sonny) Pacino as I would have never imagined him. Although this book is totally Pacino-centric, frank questions fly both ways in the series of interviews covering a period of over 25 years. Pacino's questions reveal as much about himself and the depth of their friendship as his answers. Full of personal insights and professional tidbits that heretofore were unknown, unless you read the articles and interviews in a previously published form over the decades, this is one book that ALL Pacino fans will want to read. After all, Al Pacino is a private person who usually keeps it that way.In this book, we learn the impact of Charlie Laughton, among others, on Pacino. The inside scoop on plays, movies, and roles that could have happened but didn't. His saddest professional experience. The best young actor he ever saw. We also learn the true meaning of 'the show must go on' as Al shows incredible inner resolve during the Broadway run of the play "American Buffalo". I couldn't have done it, but I understand why he did it and he was right! He carves out some protective space regarding his women, while acknowledging them. And again what he won't divulge about them says alot about his character. But there is much more that he will discuss and it makes this book worth every penny of it's cost. Not a lot of verbal fat herein, this book is trenchant and to the point. Also included are 8 pages of photos from the almost obligatory baby picture to family photos to professional associates with Pacino and an ad announcing something that every Pacino fan will want when it's available. This is a deep look at the life and psyche of one of the world's greatest actors and it is very engrossing. Highly recommended!! Five ENGROSSING Stars. (Hardcover, unabridged, 245 pages) 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Susan's Pick As The Best Book About Al Pacino!,
By S. Myers - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Al Pacino (Hardcover)
Larry Grobel is the master of all interviewers. His book on Al Pacino gives an insight into one ofAmerica's finest actors who is so private and removed from the public that, up until now, we have known very little about him. The compilation of interviews are done over several periods of time (usually a film between each interview)and Mr. Grobel's questions show a transformation and growth in the actor as his career and life progress. Mr. Grobel has let the actor talk with his guard "up" and his guard "down" and go at his own pace, and the reveal is one of intense depth and an interesting look inside the life and career of Al Pacino. One of the most fascinating revelations is hearing of his humor and vision of himself. One is particularly astonished to find the comedic humor of the legendary actor because it is so very different from how we associate him through his films. The book makes you yearn to sit down and engage in a wonderful conversation with the author and the actor and know it will be a treat and time well spent. In fact, by the time you finish reading the book, you will feel that you have become friends with both Mr. Grobel and Mr. Pacino. This is definitely a five star read! 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging Interviews spread over 25 years,
By R. J. Marsella - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Al Pacino (Hardcover)
The friendship between interviewer Lawrence Grobel and Al Pacino that developed over the years represented by the interviews in this collection contributes to the frankness of the revealing and insightful dialogue.The two men explore Pacino's approach to his craft and career and the result is a fresh appreciation for the body of work Pacino has accomplished. For anyone interested in his films or the movie industry this is an excellent choice. Beginning in 1979 and running through 2005 the interviews capture some of Pacino's thinking at different stages of his career and there is a richness derived from this approach that might be missed in a retrospective biography. |
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