The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

Needless to say, Mr. Man is addicted to the men in The Panic in Needle Park (1971). That’s because the dark crime drama features a young and handsome Al Pacino as well as Raúl Juliá in his youthful splendor. Whoever was working as the film’s casting director definitely deserves a raise for raising the members on audience members by hiring these hunks. The plot centers around a junky named Bobby (Pacino) who spends his days hanging out in “Needle Park” in New York. There, he does drugs and manages small-time hustles to feed the monkey on his back. When he meets Helen (Kitty Winn), you’d think she’d turn his life around. Instead, she becomes an addict too. Talk about being a bad influence. As such, the film’s bleak theme is accompanied by disturbing imagery. But at its heart is Hollywood icon Pacino and his charisma elevates the pic to another level. The ensemble includes Samuels (Paul Sorvino), an admitting nurse (Ruth Alda), Detective DiBono (Joe Santos), Detective Hotch (Alan Vint), and the aforementioned Marco (Juliá). With a screenplay by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, adapted from James Mills’s same-named novel, this R-rated flick was bound to be a hit with critics. In fact, the film and director Jerry Schatzberg were nominated for Palme d’Or awards. Yet we give the movie our Palm d’Organ since it includes a view of Al’s naked T&A! When the topless hottie is sent to shower in prison, he serves up his steamy Italian buns. Mangia! Mangia!