My first language was shy. It's only by having been thrust into limelight that I have learned to cope with my shyness - Al Pacino
Al Pacino - perhaps one of the most well regarded actor in the hollywood industry, in the last 5 decades. Pacino has seen immense success in his career - since his 2nd film 'The Godfather' released, movie buffs have followed his 'film career' very closely and have regarded him as their 'idol'. But, I believe that there's a difference between an idol and a role model. An idol is someone, like whom you want to become, whereas according to me a #RoleModel is someone, who inspires you to be what you ARE and improve gradually through life - via the process of success and failures.
Movie buffs know Pacino as the 'angry man' - for his strong character portrayal on-screen but it's his shy and gentle personality off-the-screen that only a few take note of. I for one, am a fan of his not because of the great actor he is - but his journey pre-this success.
Pacino's father left his mother when he was just 3, which meant that he grew up with his mother and grandparents. His childhood was below satisfactory, he couldn't afford much - his mother worked hard to provide food on the table, she tried her best to afford 'good quality' education for Pacino but his mother surely didn't know that Pacino wasn't an ordinary kid - he had the talent that only 1 individual in billions has - the ability to overcome failures with determination and immense hard work.
I often find people referring to successful individuals as 'lucky' - this is because some people believe that success is a part of mere luck but if YOU cannot understand the hard work that an individual puts behind 'being successful' - you'd realize how this journey is full of ups and downs but most certainly rewarding - you just have to 'hang in there' as they say.
Pacino left schooling at the age of 17 to pursue a career in acting, to this his mother took strong objection because of which Pacino had to leave his house and come to New York - the city of dreams, which most certainly became the city of his dreams. Pacino did many low-end jobs, which paid no way enough to get him into a 'reputed' acting school. Pacino's low-end paying jobs included - messenger, bus-boy, janitor, postal clerk.
Pacino has often been heard saying that his days in New York - the days of struggle were not easy but he never lost the hope that he could be successful. Adding to his misery - he lost the #RoleModel figure in his life i.e. his grandfather and few months earlier, he had lost his mother. Pacino's life was on the crossroads - had he opted for the right path? Was his life taking the right turns?
The road to success is hard, it's difficult and it's full of obstacles but if you're determines and clear about your goal - no one has the power to stop you - no one.
Lee Strasberg school of acting - one of the well regarded ones in New York saw Pacino joining it. Even though Pacino had no money, it was Strasberg's kindness, who took no fees from Pacino to join his university - no doubt Strasberg had the 'eye' of a genius, who could see the potential in Pacino.
After graduation from Strasberg university, Pacino worked in broadway for a few years till the time he got the 'big break' in a hollywood movie 'panic in the needle park' - his 1st movie, which got critical acclaim and was the prime reason behind his signing for the movie 'The Godfather' alongside his another #RoleModel i.e. Marlon Brando. Francois Ford Cappola saw some scenes of Pacino's first movie and he could grasp Pacino's talent and even though majority of the team working behind 'The Godfather' was not in favor of Pacino joining the cast of the film and getting the critical role of 'Michael Carleone' - Francaois had no doubt that Pacino was in fact the right guy for this job.
After 'The Godfather' - the hollywood industry was blessed with a 'legend'. After 'The Godfather', movies like Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, And Justice for all, Scarface followed - which changed the film industry forever - Pacino became a name to be reckoned with.
After Scarface, there were a few dull year's in Pacino's career but it was the career defining movie in 'The Scent of a Woman' - where Pacino played a blind man, who struggled with his 'outside tough' but inside 'lump of sugar' personality. This performance earned him the much deserved Oscar after 20 years of working and since then - Pacino to this very date is regarded as one of the finest actors that the hollywood has seen.
I regard Pacino, admire him as #MyRoleModel for his sheer dedication to his work - he never went in pursuit of success but instead, in pursuit of 'movie buffs' enjoyment - that's who we call a real 'entertainer'.
Pacino turned 73 on April 25, 2014 and is still very much determines to 'entertain' his fans and hence - he's truly 'The Godfather' of acting.
I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.
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