I think he did great in all those movies… probably his sickness was also a factor. He looked kind of sick, the weaker link, and that played nicely in his roles. Specially the better known ones as the Godfather and the Deerhunter, where he plays a similar role. It is hard to know if he coul have become a star as you say. I dont think so. Then again, looking at DeNiro or Pacino, today, not being a star is nothing to be really worried about.(If you have enough money to get by)
The obvious moment that jumps out for me is the “You’re my kid brother. I was passed over!” moment from The Godfather, Part II. That was a great moment. I confess it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Dog Day Afternoon or The Conversation, so I don’t remember those performances very well. I also love the moment in Godfather II when Mike comes to Las Vegas and Fredo has a big reception arranged for him. He thinks hookers will really impress Michael. He’s so excited and then Michael comes in and bursts his bubble. He doesn’t know how to handle the rejection.
JC is terrific for sure and as you point out Soybean, who has a better track record? Every movie a classic. No one would choose to go so early and so painfully, of course, but leaving that body of work behind most be some consolation. Would he have been acclaimed like Deniro or Pacino? Perhaps, but then he probably would also have to do the dreck those two have been putting out for a decade. For my money, he may be the strongest 6th man the movies ever had.
I’m glad I’m not the only Cazale fan round here. He’s one of the very best American film actors, and his passing was a great loss. His Fredo Corleone is a major accomplishment, heartbreaking and pathetic. And his Sal in DOG DAY AFTERNOON never fails to amaze me, there aren’t too many people who can make me believe that they actually think Wyoming is another country altogether.
No, you are not the only one. There are many. I miss him greatly, every time I see another chisiled body of the latest vapid, pin up man-child. He’d be seventy-four this year. I like to think he wouldn’t be doing the insufferable garbage that DeNiro and Pacino sign on for. I want to believe that through film roles and theater he would have managed to live comfortably and be at peace, with Meryl at his side.
“Take care of me? Take care of me? Mikey, you’re my kid brother, and you take care of me?”
God I love Cazale. That’s one of my favorite moments in any of the Godfathers.
He was an incredible actor. I am thankful he accomplished so much in such little time, but it saddens me to think of what could have been.
Yeah, Adam, that was pretty much the point of this thread, along with appreciation. I watched “The Conversation” again the other night (which of the five movies listed here was probably his smallest role, although I haven’t seen “The Deer Hunter” in quite some time) but I was lamenting at what could have been.
This guy was the real deal. Unlike some other actors who have died young, Cazale’s talent is indisputable. I think had he lived, he would have become an acting legend the same way his peers like Pacino and DeNiro have become.
“Wyoming”
This story on Cazale is on CNN.com and talks about the Cazale documentary that will air tomorrow on HBO.
Here’s the trailer:
Apparently it’s only 40 minutes long. Seems a little short.
Even the trailer is kind of heart-breaking…
Fredo is as magnificently pathetic as any character has ever been in cinema – but Sal in Dog Day Afternoon will kill you, he’s like Sal Mineo’s “Plato” many years later, with a more developed need to be shepherded by someone else’s will and affection, and with a greater void in his identity…Cazale did truly perfect what Dustin Hoffman had worked at years before, in “Ratso” Rizzo (and I think it’s fair also to see Peter Lorre in Cazale’s style)…
it’s a great documentary is and is available on DVD now
Offering Michael one of the “drinks of the islands” in G’father II is my favorite Cazale moment.
I’m surprised that I didn’t post on this thread months ago, but thanks for reviving it.
I have a personal recollection of John Cazale:
I wrote one play in my life, a one-acter about a Vieteran who has returned from “the ’Nam” and is having trouble adjusting. It was called The Sex Life of the Praying Mantis, and was produced off-Broadway many years ago. On opening night, John Cazale was in the audience and he came backstage after the curtain fell to congratulate me.
He indicated that he might want to go into producing films and might want to work with me on a feature-length version of my play. We exchanged contact information but, unfortunately for him (and me) he died shortly thereafter.
I agree with those above who praised his acting ability and focus. One could always sense something going on beneath the surface in all his performances.
I Knew It Was You—Rediscovering John Cazale <—it’s on youtube in very good quality
SOYBEAN
While always playing a supporting role, I consider John Cazale as one of Hollywoods finest actors. Although his career was tragically cut short due to bone cancer his short body of work is quite impressive. Five major films; “The Godfather”, “The Godfather II”, “The Conversation”, “Dog Day Afternoon” and “The Deerhunter”. That’s an quite a filmography. I agree with those that argue if he were alive today he would be in the same category as Pacino, DeNiro, and Nicholson. My personal favorite Cazale performance was Sal in “Dog Day Afternoon”. For me, Wyoming will always be a country. What is your favorite John Cazale moment?