Al Pacino Calls One of His Own Movies a Disaster and Says He Had No Excuse

Al Pacino has an impressive career filled with legendary performances, yet even an icon of his stature can admit to a few missteps along the way. In his memoir, Sonny Boy, the Academy Award winner reflects on a string of films that he feels didn’t quite hit the mark. While he remains proud of some later works, he is surprisingly candid about a period where he struggled to pick the right projects.

Pacino noted that before he faced financial difficulties, his criteria for choosing a role were based solely on whether he connected with the character or felt he could add value to the story. He highlighted Ocean’s Thirteen as a successful endeavor from this era, but contrasted it sharply with 88 Minutes, which he bluntly described as a disaster. He also admitted that his collaboration with Robert De Niro in Righteous Kill failed to live up to expectations.

The film 88 Minutes was particularly problematic for the actor, serving as a rare low point in his filmography. Directed by Jon Avnet, the thriller followed a forensic psychiatrist racing against time, but it failed to resonate with audiences or critics. Despite its high stakes, the movie barely broke even at the box office and resulted in a Razzie nomination for Pacino, a stinging critique for one of history’s most respected performers.

Reflecting on why he chose these specific scripts, Pacino clarified that his motivations were genuine and not driven by a need for a paycheck. He explained that he did these things while he thought he had money and was operating under the sincere belief that the films had the potential to be great. It serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned professionals can sometimes misjudge the quality of a screenplay before it reaches the screen.

The actor’s honest assessment suggests he may have placed too much trust in certain directors during that phase of his career. He acknowledged that it is difficult to predict a movie’s success until it is finally released to the public. Looking back, the veteran star seems to view those specific projects with a certain level of regret, realizing that his faith in the material was unfortunately misplaced.

Despite these past hurdles, Al Pacino has remained incredibly active in the industry as he entered 2026. He recently starred in the biographical drama Dead Man’s Wire, directed by Gus Van Sant, which premiered in January. The film tells the true story of a 1977 hostage crisis and features an impressive ensemble cast including Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo, and Cary Elwes.

Fans of the legendary actor also have several major projects to look forward to later this year. Pacino is set to headline Lear Rex, a highly anticipated adaptation of King Lear directed by Bernard Rose. This project reunites him with Jessica Chastain and features a star-studded cast including Rachel Brosnahan, Peter Dinklage, and LaKeith Stanfield. The film is being positioned as a prestige release for the late 2026 season.

In addition to his Shakespearean turn, Pacino appears in the metaphysical drama In the Hand of Dante, directed by Julian Schnabel. This ambitious film, which had a successful festival run in late 2025, features Oscar Isaac and Gal Gadot. Pacino’s continued dedication to complex, character-driven stories proves that he has no intention of slowing down, even as he enters his mid-80s.

His memoir has also sparked a renewed interest in his classic filmography, leading to several retrospective screenings of his most famous works in New York and London. As he continues to balance indie dramas with large-scale literary adaptations, Pacino’s legacy as a foundational pillar of modern acting remains as secure as ever.

Do you think Al Pacino’s honest reflection on his career failures makes him more relatable as an artist, or should some “disasters” stay buried in the past? Share your thoughts in the comments.