RIP: Sidney Lumet
By Kamla Bhatt • Apr 9th, 2011Category: Books, Movies, Music, Televison
American film icon Sidney Lumet passed away in Manhattan today. He was 86 years old.
A gifted & prolific filmmaker Lumet was comfortable making films both for the big and the small screen. Standing up for the small man and fighting for justice were common themes in his films. His films include: 12 Angry Men, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Pawnbroker, Serpico, Dog Day’s Afternoon, Network, Family Business and Night Falls on Manhattan. His last film was the 2007 Before The Devil Knows You Are Dead with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke and Albert Finney.
According to The Variety Lumet was “Known as an actor’s director, he was able to coax landmark performances — and 17 Oscar noms — from actors including Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and Faye Dunaway. The films often revolved around themes of justice and police corruption. Yet his style deferred to the actors and the material, and he often stayed quietly in the background.”
A few years ago Lumet penned his biography aptly titled Making Movies.
Related Links:
Sidney Lumet Multi-Part Interview
Sidney Lumet on Charlie Rose on Before The Devil Knows You Are Dead