In the last few decades, actor Robert De Niro successfully made the jump from comedy to drama, starring in comedy classics like Midnight Run, Analyze This and Meet The Parents. Much of his output has been comedies ever since. However, Al Pacino, the equally legendary actor he's most associated with, never made the same career move and has only made a few comedies in his storied career.
Al Pacino is one of the most brilliant actors of our time, having starred in intensely dramatic films like The Godfather, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Insider. During his career, he's mostly stayed in his lane. However, he has, on occasion, popped up in a few lighter movies. Despite not being in many, he clearly has a knack for the comedy genre.
10 Jack and Jill - 3%
After pairing with usually dramatic actor Jack Nicholson for the comedy hit Anger Management, Adam Sandler tried similar success by adding Al Pacino to the mix for Jack and Jill. In this film, Sandler plays Jack, who is horrified to discover his annoying sister Jill is visiting (also played by Sandler).
In a surprising turn, Al Pacino (as himself) takes a liking to Jill, which Jack uses to his advantage. Infamously, the film was critically reviled and nominated for several Razzies. However, Pacino gives a committed performance, and the final scene where he raps and dances in a Dunkin' Donuts commercial is the film's highlight and, perhaps, the only bright spot.
9 Stand Up Guys - 36%
Following the trend of movies featuring collaborations between older stars like Last Vegas or Just Getting Started, Stand Up Guys casts Pacino and Christopher Walken as aging gangsters, who spend a night together before one has to whack the other.
While some critics felt the more overt humor was too low brow for the talent involved, the performers take to material. Audiences enjoyed the dialogue and interactions between the legends, even if the rest of the film left little to be desired.
8 Author! Author! - 48%
While not a flat-out comedy, Author! Author! is a comedic drama about a struggling playwright trying to produce a new play, while also raising many children his ex-wife has recently left him with. The film is an autobiographical account of the screenwriter, Israel Horowitz's, actual life.
Critics and audiences were not impressed with Pacino's turn as a divorced father and compared Author! Author! negatively with the similar themed Dustin Hoffman Oscar-winning classic Kramer Vs. Kramer. Despite the negative reviews, Pacino was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.
7 Simone - 50%
Written and directed by The Truman Show's extremely unique and creative writer Andrew Niccol, Simone stars Pacino as a movie director, who is fed up with real actors and decides to create a virtual actor named Simone. Eventually, she becomes a huge star but the director then struggles to conceal the fact that she's not real.
As a dark comedy, Simone succeeds with its clever premise and acts as a funny satire of Hollywood. Pacino shines in the many comedic moments the film gives him and despite mixed reviews, was a minor box office hit.
6 The Humbling - 53%
In The Humbling, Pacino stars as an aging actor who returns home after being institutionalized in a psychiatric facility and begins an affair with a friend's daughter (Greta Gerwig). Pacino initially read and related to the book that it was based on and purchased the rights.
Director Barry Levinson took a more irreverent comedy approach to the material and the film was written by famous comedy writer Buck Henry. Upon release, critics felt the film was the best of Pacino's recent films but nowhere near touched the heights of his earlier works.
5 Dick Tracy - 63%
Coming off the success of Tim Burton's Batman, Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy is the big-screen adaptation of the classic crime-fighting comic strip detective. In the film, Beatty's Tracy is looking to put Al Pacino's Big Boy Caprice behind bars.
Pacino gives a hilariously over-the-top performance that comes off as more comedic than threatening. Buried under makeup Pacino designed himself, Caprice constantly screams at characters and hilariously attributes quotes to the wrong people.
Overall, Pacino seems to be enjoying his campy performance. Despite the film being divisive among critics and audiences, Pacino received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for an unforgettable performance.
4 Frankie & Johnny - 66%
Adapted from the famous Off-Broadway play, "Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune," the film concerns a recently released ex-convict (Pacino), who gets a job as a cook at a New York City cafe. Here, he begins a romantic relationship with a waitress, played by Michelle Pfeiffer.
Despite the praise for his chemistry with his Scarface co-star, the two lead's casting was criticized since the original play featured more believable "ordinary people" like Kathy Bates. Directed by Pretty Woman's Garry Marshall, Frankie & Johnny remains Al Pacino's only romantic comedy.
3 Ocean's Thirteen - 69%
Ocean's Thirteen was the third entry in the Ocean's 11 trilogy and featured an all-star cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and more. In the threequel, the usual crew seeks revenge on a ruthless casino owner, played by Pacino.
Critics and audiences enjoyed the film, calling it slick and entertaining, and believed it was an improvement over the previous franchise entry. In addition, most felt Pacino was a welcome inclusion to the already star-studded ensemble cast, holding his own against all the other heavy hitters.
2 Danny Collins - 77%
Written and directed by This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, Danny Collins concerns the titular aging rock star (Pacino), who discovers that John Lennon wrote him a letter much earlier in his career. Inspired by the letter, Danny decides to improve his life and reconnect with his estranged son.
Pacino is supremely charming as Collins and the film balances comedy and drama effectively. While featuring many funny moments, Danny Collins is extremely heartfelt and tender from the beginning until its beautiful closing moments. For his role, Pacino received a Golden Globe nomination and critics consider the movie an overlooked gem.
1 Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood - 85%
After casting Robert De Niro in Jackie Brown, director Quentin Tarantino finally got to work with his cohort Al Pacino, albeit only for a few scenes, when he cast him in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The acclaimed slice-of-life film takes place in 1960's Hollywood where an actor and a stunt man struggle for success.
In his brief role, Pacino gives a spirited performance as a flamboyant agent who tries to convince aging actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) to make westerns in Italy. Despite his short time on screen, Pacino is extremely memorable and audiences wished there was more of him in the film.
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