I'm tempted to say Heat.

Very entertaining movie, but not a special performance. IMO.

You are right Lou.

Aside from the obvious ones including but not limited to the GF movies Panic in Needle Park, Dog Day Afternoon and Scent of a Woman, I would say Devil's Advocate and a real sleeper... Merchant of Venice.

Finally got to see it yesterday,

(pasting from FCM),

Serpico
Sidney Lumet English 1973
Story of an honest NewYork cop...

I was listening to the producer's interview in the DVD specials and he mentioned that corruption in police force was kind of surprising/shocking to lot of people back then. Having seen umpteen movies on this theme, the movie had no impact on me (I think that the movie relied heavily upon the shock value). This was Al Pacino's early days, before he went down the path of ridiculous over-the-top acting. He does a good job in presenting a believable character (which was based on a true NY cop). Other supporting roles are nicely done too. The music is mostly inappropriate even though they might be good pieces by themselves (in isolation).

I think it's easy to dismiss Heat as "a good film but not one of Pacino's best performances", an opinion often based on his histrionics. But there's a lot of subtle gestures and nuances going on alongside that all-guns-blazing, gum-chewing action.

If it's not that, it's Donnie Brasco.

Scent of A Women I'm sure is in the top 10 of the best Pacino movies.

Michael Corleone in GF I and II, Dog Day Afternoon, Scent of a Woman and Merchant of Venice.

I must say I loved his over the top performance in Devil's Advocate.