This is an autobiography of my Hero whom I have followed closely since the time I saw the two Godfather films. Such a subtle and subdued performance ! The radiance in his silences made me his admirer forever. I followed his films and whatever was being written about him with a fan’s devotion . He gives an honest account of himself and the reader gets to understand the depth of the artist! . His parents had married when they were very young and as soon as when Al was born his father had left his mother. She brings up Al on her own , she would take him with her to the movies and on return he would enact those scenes to the delight of his mother and grand parents.
Mother never marries again , suffers from anxiety and depression . The book’s title ‘Sonny Boy’ is the name by which his mother used to call him, which was from a film song she would sing. His father has also been in touch with him . One of the cherished memories he has is of his mother and father walking back home after cinema with Al in between both holding his hand and then dining together .
He is admired by his class mates for his acting abilities and his teacher insists that he continues with acting. After the school production of ‘The king and I’ a school student told him ‘ Hey you are the next Marlon Brando’ . His junior High school teacher came home and advised his mother that Al must continue with acting.
He gets selected to the school of performing Arts and does well , is also elected by the students as a ‘student who is likely to succeed in life’ . Unfortunately he is unable to study till High School because of his financial condition, does various odd jobs but continues to learn himself . There was this deep desire to support his mother who needs good medicines on account of her depression and dies eventually of probable drug overdose. He copes by drinking and walking in the streets of Manhattan alone ,often reciting famous monologues in a loud voice ! Would sit in the library for warmth and becomes a voracious reader. Early in his life he had seen the play ‘Seagull’ by Anton Chekov and was tremendously moved by it. Chekov becomes his Guru.
He finds a friend and acting coach in Charlie Loughton whose literary knowledge and intelligence impress, he predicts his stardom says that he would be a big star one day, though normally he would not say such things . Al replies that he was aware of it! In the city of New York he performance in small theatres and at village cafes. Earning money by passing the hat after the performance and doing plays of – Sartre, Ibsen, Bertold Breth, Chekov and others.
During the enactment of Strindberg’s play ‘Creditors’ there was a moment of ‘self realization’ which gives him confidence energy and reassurance, not to look back but to move ahead. The play , ‘Indian wants the Bronx’ makes him famous . He then performs ‘Does a Tiger wear a necktie?’ at Broadway and does well , wins Tony Award. His performance is seen by Francis Ford Capolla. Martin Bergman a popular producer and manager identifies him and casts him in a junkie film ‘Panic in the needle park’ . The film was received well and Pachino makes an impact. Then Godfather happened . He is surprised to be offered Michael’s role , after initial reluctance by the studio who were not keen on him but only Francis was adamant, he passes the test.
The success of Godfather makes him a star . He is unable to cope with attention and adulation . No body could help him, even Lee Strasberg advised him to adjust! He took to heavy drinking and drugs and becomes a recluse , not a party man , has very limited friends circle. He is nominated for Oscars and does not attend the ceremony . After the success of Godfather he does ‘Serpico’ , ‘Dog Day afternoon’ and ‘ And Justice for all’ and all are successful and he is nominated for Oscars in all of them, does attend Academy award function on the insistence of his manager . His cinematic journey thereafter is in public domain .
A few failures prompt him to take a four year break during which he does private film , theatre , seminar etc but then he is in financial crisis and returns to films with ‘A sea of Love’ and continues making good and moderate films , some for money and some for Art . Devotes much time in theatre and making private films . His labour of love is ‘Looking for Richards’ which is critical success but is not widely seen. At the age of 83 also he is excited about doing ‘King Lear’ which his admirers await anxiously .
He clarifies that though he has been known be to a ‘method actor’ he prepared for each role differently and follows his own methods . However, he collaborates in his movies and insists on authenticity and reshoots if not satisfied.
There exists deep belief in him of God ; a spirit which is with him and blesses him which he acknowledges but is not exhibitive. Has no attraction for money and therefore no great interest in making money, wants to be an artist and contribute to Art even after spending his own money which he does by making private movies . States with seriousness that he would have preferred marrying a seamstress and having ten children leading a life in theatre ; out of media glare.
He was an artist, could have been a musician; he played piano and carried his classical album collections and books . Admits of having ‘avant-garde’ influences. At Lee Strasberg’s ‘Actors’ Studio’ he satisfied his artistic urges.
Certain ethics he follows. It started as a young boy of six when he returns from his first day of school , tells his grand father that he saw a boy doing something very bad and he reported to the teacher and the boy was punished . His grandfather said ‘So you are a rat?’. It hit him hard and since then he never ‘ratted’ on anyone. Would make a clear distinction between work and personal life and never let his work affect his romance and personal life. Work was first. Seeks Psychiatric help and gradually left drinking. He never touches cocaine and kept away from heroin even when his three childhood friends were addicted and died of overdose.
He has had many partners and relationships in his long career at various junctures and admits that he likes women but he never woos anyone with a boyfriend or husband.
Born in South Bronx, New York was his home . He is unable to adjust in the glamour . gossip and the frothy world of LA. The power of media shocks him .
Among the Actors he admired – Marlon Brando , Richard Burton ,Montgomery Clift and James Dean. He admires the courage and genius of Orson Welles. Among his contemporaries he is full of praise for Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Nero and is particularly fond of Robert De Nero with whom he is compared .
Al Pachino states at more than one place in the book about his high energy levels. He admits casually that he makes up for his lack of intelligence with his energy! He also is surprised to reach an age of more than eighty and still not feeling old .
He exonerates his father. However, he looks out for ‘father figures’ – Charlie, Martin Bregman and Lee Strasberg ! He calls them ‘surrogates for father’. His father leaving his mother affects him life long –‘suspicion of marriage’. He has numerous relationships , comes close to marrying and yet shies away, calling marriage –‘pain train’. He has children from his relationships , four from three partners , is a doting father and cares for his children , shuttles between work and parent responsibilities dutifully, but never marries !
His mother is central to his life . He ends the book saying: “ All I want is the chance to walk up to her , look in her eyes , and simply say –“ Hey , Ma , see what happened to me ?”
A ‘masterclass’ for Art lovers and ‘Stars’ of Indian cinema!
