8.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Overview
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive
Viewer Rating
8.5
Overview
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film leans left due to its central conflict revolving around funding sex reassignment surgery, which highlights LGBTQ+ identity and rights, coupled with a sympathetic portrayal of the protagonist and a critical view of institutional responses.
The movie features a predominantly white main cast, consistent with traditional casting practices. Its narrative explores the complex motivations of its characters, including a significant transgender character, without explicitly critiquing or negatively framing traditional identities.
Secondary
Dog Day Afternoon offers a largely empathetic and complex portrayal of a transgender character, Leon, and the desperate love of their partner, Sonny. Despite the tragic circumstances, the narrative humanizes Leon's struggle for identity and frames obstacles as external, affirming the worth of their life and desire for self-actualization.
"Dog Day Afternoon" portrays Leon, Sonny's transsexual wife, with empathy and dignity. Sonny's desperate act to fund her gender-affirming surgery highlights a profound, affirming love. While societal prejudice and tragic circumstances are present, the film's narrative maintains a respectful stance towards Leon's identity, framing obstacles as external rather than inherent to her trans experience.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film is based on a true story, and all major characters, including the transgender character Leon Shermer (based on Elizabeth Eden), are portrayed on screen with the same gender identity as their real-life counterparts. No established character's gender was altered for the film.
The film is based on a true story about a bank robbery in 1972. The main characters, based on real individuals, were white and are portrayed by white actors. There are no instances where a character's established race from the historical record was changed for the film.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
8.0
7.8
Critic Ratings
9.4
8.6
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