People I Know (2002) User Reviews (83)

landmark latter-day Pacino performance.

[t-mieczkowski · 6/10 · 30 November 2004]

Pacino is extraordinary. The much-lamented accent is sorta a bisexual/Georgian/"Noo Yawk" ... it represents a complex mixture of dialect for a complex character perfectly portrayed by Pacino - balls and all. His work seems to become increasingly esoteric over the years, and outside of his character, the storyline is uneven and downright wretched in some parts.

But Pacino redeems even the drek and delivers a landmark performance that one wouldn't expect as he nears closer to being able to collect Social Security. Gutsy, bold, and brilliant. The script and direction needed quite a bit of work- but Pacino's performance is compelling enough to wonder exactly what he will do next. A must-see for Pacino fans.

The film builds and builds and builds with lots going on and plenty of ammunition to launch a devastation final blow and yet falls totally flat.

[johnnyboyz · 6/10 · 9 November 2007]

I think that when Al Pacino, the great actor that he is, retires; people will look back at this film and these sorts of films he was in and will use them as pieces of evidence to suggest that even if the film overall was a little weak and if it was a film that made errors, the one stand out feature was indeed, Al Pacino and his acting. It's films like these that will not only highlight Pacino and his ability to carry a film but will also suffice as an example as 'a film you'd watch only for its main star'.

People I Know is a film that simmers and simmers; it's a film that you put in a pot on a low burner level in an attempt to etch out all the goodness and taste that you believe it to contain. These come in the form of the strong cast, the nice cinematography, some amusing scenes that hit and miss as well as the multiple plot devices the film has. Unfortunately, People I Know is a miss-mash of numerous plot paths, stiff dialogue and suffers from time to time of scene in which you just don't seem to care about. The film attempts to look and feel like Scorsese's 1999 film Bringing Out the Dead but with a publicist instead of a medic and a limousine instead of an ambulance. Just like Cage's character from that film, Eli Wurman (Pacino) has numerous encounters with some rather strange people whilst at the same time makes life difficult for himself.

The primary problem that I personally had with the film was that it opened up all these ideas and plot paths and yet doesn't really choose to go down any of them: there is the incident with the girl who is raped and subsequently dies in the hotel room, there is the route of the elf discovery drama as Eli tries hard not to hit rock bottom and there is the simmering tension between politicians that seem to revolve around race. This made me realise afterwards that even though these things were hinted at and included, there isn't any closure on any of these events –the dead girl is ignored when I thought the film would become a drama centring around a possible framing of Eli; the mood of the film and the way Pacino acts Eli suggests he's on the verge of meltdown and yet he remains upbeat enough for the duration to see it out and lastly, the way the politicians and their situation revolving around illegal photographs of themselves plays out is a great idea for a film but People I Know just seems to brush it under the rug; alas, despite all these opportunities, the film isn't really about anything and any 'update' we are told about is through television news coverage within the film which was pretty poor.

Despite this, the film is effective in its little things. Eli is almost pathetic in his attempts to get people to come to his function and you genuinely feel for him since at the time, you don't know if he is successful or popular or whatever. Also, introducing a character and giving them all this build up before merely killing them off might be an effective way of toying with the audience but if it's forgotten about later on in the film and doesn't come back to either haunt the protagonist or create problems then what the hell is the point? Thus, the opening thirty minutes or so is technically a waste of time bar the other, tiny things people say and do. People I Know is a unique film in the way it feels bloated and yet by the end, it's very deflated. There is so much going on in this film involving deaths and illness and corruption that the story gets confused and doesn't know what to do with it all; the screenplay overpowers itself which is truly unique if not ironic since by the end, everything is still left relatively 'up in the air'. The racism divide is built up to the function but nothing really kicks off; Eli's health is built up as bad and visits to the doctor confirm this but without spoiling the ending, nothing really happens; the TV reports the girl's death and police are investigating but, you guessed it: nothing really happens thereafter. If you're going to watch People I Know, marvel at the way the film plays around with things and at the way it makes its mistakes in releasing all the suspense and intrigue. Marvel at the way it looks, not at the way it speaks and of course; there's always Al Pacino.

Spoilers: It's Not What You Know but Who You Know

[arieliondotcom · 6/10 · 24 June 2006]

...and who knows you that count! That "who knows you" is the key. I sense from some of the comments that people just don't get it, especially when they write things about "seeing an old, tired Pacino." Since that was the role he was playing, that might give you a clue why he seemed that way. Sigh.

But I haven't heard anyone comment either on the irony that while he was trying hard, literally, to mind his own business, the affairs (again literally) of others kept dragging him down and ultimately killed him. It was literally the person he knew, and was trying to defend, who (directly or indirectly) killed him or had him killed because he "knew too much", specifically the woman he was supposed to be getting rid of.

I'm a big Pacino fan and will see anything he's in. Although it's nowhere as great as his other films (subdued and you sometimes see him peek out of the role), it is Pacino, and that's good enough to invest 2 hours of your life in watching anytime.

Actors In Search Of A Film

[DSearch1 · 2/10 · 11 August 2005]

"People I Know" is a clunker with no one to root for and no one to care about -- despite the game efforts of a talented cast.

Pacino delivers his usual tour de force as Eli Wurman, a past-his-prime publicity agent hollowed out by a lifetime of moral corruption. But unlike Michael Corleone, it's impossible to have an emotional investment in this character, his dilemma, or his fate.

The film traces Eli's preparations for a benefit for a liberal political cause, while distracted by a client's (Ryan O'Neal, good in an underwritten part) latest "dirty laundry" -- in this case, a TV actress companion who's gotten involved with the wrong people. Tea Leoni brings her customary star power to this supporting role, although again, the script doesn't give her much to work with. As Eli's sister-in-law, Kim Basinger manages to evoke sympathy despite implausible plot mechanics.

This movie is strictly for those who like watching Pacino strut his stuff, and enjoy the other principals. Unfortunately, between the script and direction, "People I Know" is strictly amateurish. Hence its limited theatrical release, and speedy journey to DVD. Consider yourself warned.

FAMILIAR NEW YORK STORY

[cynharm · 7/10 · 22 January 2003]

Inspired by the SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS and THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES, this labour of love is the sort of film made for New Yorkers by New Yorkers. While not being particularly fresh in it's ideas and story, PEOPLE I KNOW more than makes up for it's short comings due in large part to another strong turn by Al Pacino.

Pacino is surprisingly gentle and small as a has-been impresario who is desperate for one last benefit to do some good in the city. Why exactly this benefit means so much to him is never really explained but Pacino, with that wonderful expressive face of his, is content to carry the drama with subtly and grace, using those great bags under his eyes to convey a sense of pleading exhaustion throughout the film. In many scenes, his character seems so fatigued that we expect Pacino to expire on the spot, so heavy is the burden of his life lived as a heel.

The script, by New York playwright Jon Robin Baitz, knows it's world well, as demonstrated by the excellent lead characters and the numerous small, but equally well conceived characters that pepper the screenplay. Plot-wise the Baitz's script is less than successful. The screenplay suffers from two well-meaning maguffins - Pacino's big benefit and the `toy' Tea Leoni finds - which don't really pay dividends and lead the film to a somewhat flat finale.

The direction by SEX IN THE CITY helmer Daniel Algrant is unobtrusive and safe, with no real effort made to assemble this film in anything higher than TV movie quality. Algrant is content to keep attention on his cast, which - when dealing with Al Pacino - is never a bad idea.

Much as we all love Al Pacino. . .

[ayn5242 · 3/10 · 26 March 2005]

Much as we all love Al Pacino, it was painful to see him in this movie. A publicity hack at the grubby ending of what seems to have once been a distinguished and idealistic career Pacino plays his part looking like an unmade bed and assaulting everyone with a totally bogus and inconsistent southern accent.

The plot spools out this way and that with so many loose ends and improbabilities that the mind reels (and then retreats).

Kim Basinger is there, not doing much. Her scenes with Pacino are flat and unconvincing. Hard to believe they meant a lot to each other. There's no energy there.

Tea Leone, on the other hand, lit up the screen. She was electric and her scenes with Pacino were by far the most interesting in the movie, but not enough to save Al from embarrassment.

People I Shouldn't Have Known

[Chrysanthepop · 24 January 2009]

With 'People I Know' Dan Algrant tells a story of how the rich and powerful can get away with anything and everything. In the film, it is an actress, Jill (Tea Leoni) and a PR (Al Pacino) who fall victim as they threaten to expose the shady potentially scandalous secrets of the rich elites. Algrant's portrayal is very one-sided because he shows all the wealthy characters as big bad wolves and the lesser fortunate people in a more humane light. Examples include the scene where Tea's face lightens up as she thinks of a house in the country, and the sequences between Pacino and Basinger where we see a vulnerable side of Eli. It is the performances that stand out. Al Pacino displays a very intense performance, of a vulnerable and relatively weak character. It is entirely different from the kind of roles he has played earlier and one of his best parts. Kim Basinger lightens the screen as the supportive and loving Vicci. I liked how Algrant demonstrates the special relationship between Eli and Vicci. Their scenes together were some of the best moments of the movie. Tea Leoni is superb despite having a small role. Ryan O'Neal and Richard Schiff are adequate. 'People I Know' is a small film and the ending perhaps may not appeal to many but I thought it was an interesting, even though somewhat partial, take on how power corrupts and destroys.

Not a good movie...

[thefreeway2003 · 3/10 · 5 December 2004]

Firstly, I must clearly claim that this is not a good film. And, I would never watch it, if Pacino wasn't in it.

It is about a publicist's strange 24 hours. And, he is overworked, dizzy, sick, and sometimes regretful. I don't like the character at all. It's really boring; after 20 minutes, you may fall asleep. On the other hand, I don't understand why Pacino wanted to be a part of this horrible film. Just because of cash -- or what?

Since I'm an avid Pacino fan, I bought this 2002 film "People I Know". If you haven't bought it yet, don't even think about it, it's just a waste of time.

Surprise winner!

[shepardjessica · 7/10 · 18 August 2004]

I'd never heard of this 2002 film until Ebert and Roper reviewed a few weeks ago and I was pleasantly suprised since I don't think Al Pacino has been doing his best work lately. In this film, he's right on target and the film is pretty fascinating. He looks haggard, overworked, and struggling with all kinds of things. Even Ryan O'Neal is believable for a change (of course, the character he plays fits him to a tee).

I don't know if this one went straight to video or what, but search it out (especially Pacino fans). A definite 7 out of 10. Tea Leoni is sharp as a tack playing a flake. The entire supporting cast blends in nicely and this resembles a David Mamet script.

Reality check

[jotix100 · 5/10 · 1 May 2003]

Jon Robin Baitz, the writer of this film, needs to check his facts a little more carefully. The story, as I perceived it, takes place in today's New York with today's personalities of the moment.

At one point of the film when Eli Wurman, played by Al Pacino, is talking to his widowed sister-in-law, Victoria Gray, and he asks her if she remembers when they had marched in Selma? Helloooo Mr. Baitz, how old is Victoria supposed to be? I made her out to be in her early 40s. Now, wouldn't that have been a miracle? The only way she would have been around Selma at the time of the march on that city would have been in the womb of her mother, if that was so! Well, then again, I could be wrong, she really is in her late 60s!

This film tries to do too many things; it goes in all directions without making sense, most of the time. The idea of presenting the Eli Wurman of Pacino, who was obviously gay, playing against a straight woman is laughable. Even more ridiculous when the one making the passes is a beautiful woman like Ms. Bassinger, in wild contrast with this washed out person.

Mr. Pacino might be a great actor. He has given us many interesting and diverse characters that will be cherished by all his fans, but lately, he has appeared in a series of duds that one wonders who is the person behind his decisions, since many of his choices haven't added any substance to his body of work.

This Eli Wurman, being compared to the Burt Lancaster's character in Sweet Smell of Success by many critics, kept reminding me of the Clifton Webb's tragic role in The Razor's Edge. This Eli has seen better days and no one cares about him at all.

The subplot having to do with the cause Eli is working to promote racial justice to people being deported, sounds empty and not true. It shows a side to this character that deep down inside all he cared for in his life was being at the right places, surrounded by the same celebrities he stooped to serve.

How about the other aspect of the film about the rich, possible would-be-sponsors of the cause, as libertines and swingers in an opium den on a Wall Street club? Is that supposed to be a metaphor? Oh well, I guess some of us, so out of touch with the powerful people of New York, will never know what we are really missing in those "fun" places.

Very Good Movie

[FrenchyAlex · 9/10 · 29 May 2004]

Don't pay that much attention about all the bad comments you will hear: this is a very interesting movie.

To sum up, Al Pacino is an agent for all kind of people: stars, politicians... Therefore, he knows a lot of people and way too much about them. Now, the problem is that to many spectators the movie seemed empty. True there is no action, and true there is no big storyline. But it doesn't matter! This movie is about describing the "high spheres" of New York society. It is a good lesson on how corrupted the system is, how hypocrite people can be, and how you can't rely on anybody, even so-called friends. Everyone will turn his back on you when it comes to his own interest.

Al Pacino acts great in this movie. It's a very hard part since there is no real guideline, but he does the job wonderfully. You will see an OLD Al Pacino, a TIRED Al Pacino, that might disappoints you if you remember him as the lively and shouting "mister Devil's Advocate", but it's an interesting side of him that you might discover.

Not the best Pacino film, not the worst.

[triple8 · 6/10 · 4 March 2007]

SPOILERS:

I have to say I did not love this movie, in fact I found it just OK. But major Pacino fans should probably see it as Al's as good in this as any of his movies and the film contains other excellent performances.

I'm not gonna go over the plot but will comment on some of the things I found both good and not so good about the movie. First there is Pacino himself and his performance was just fantastic. As usual he disappears into the character and it also helps that the supporting cast is so strong. The other outstanding performance here is Tea Leone who really wowed me. I have seen her in many movies and she's been OK in some, good in others but here she really commands the screen. And it's a real departure from the type of roles I've seen her in.

Ryan O'Neil was great. Bassenger's character was a breath of fresh air and her performance could be described in one word: Luminous. The cast was great.

And so was the story at times and that's what makes "People I know" a rather frustrating movie experience. I was really involved in the story but it doesn't go anywhere and that is the main negative. All through the movie one kind of waits for something that never happens. A culmination maybe, a coming together of plot points. But the movie, while ending very brutally which is kind of expected, just sort of fizzles out. After it ends it is kind of disappointing as there is so much that feels unfinished and unexplored.

The cinematography and moodiness is great. This movie is about the night, and you feel it in the movie's dark and muted imagery which is perfect to heighten the mood. The world weariness of almost every character in the movie was also captured to perfection. One can feel how tired Pacino's character is. It's an involving story and not always predictable either. There are several times what you think will happen does not happen(at least until maybe a scene or two later).

And one really does have to admire the ending in a way. It does not go the route of the predictable and sweet. Instead it stays bitter and dark. And even though the ending feels kind of inevitable( my friends and I kind of figured this would not have a happy ending) the route it takes still manages to surprise.

So there's a lot of positives. But in spite of the acting, in spite of the story and realistic feel, I just was disappointed overall. The story was complex and more would have been good to fill in some of the blanks. The whole thing also seemed to be leading to some type of showdown or major culmination at the event and that really didn't happen. By the end you can kind of tell Pacino's character isn't gonna survive( the telltale kiss with Bassenger-that looked more like a farewell then a promise) and the ending was just sort of flat. It was also disturbing but that's to be expected in a film like this. But with this cast, this story and the fact that the movie was relatively short it seems something more could have been done with this to leave the viewer more satisfied at the end overall. There was so much meat to the story and yet it just felt so unfinished.

So I'd give this a 6.5 out of 10 and recommend it to all major Pacino fans. This movie kind of reminded me a bit of "Sea Of Love" even though the stories are completely different but the feel of the movie is somewhat similar. This isn't my favorite Pacino movie but it is one I am glad to have seen and any Al fan should take a look.

Move on please, there's nothing to see here

[holiverholmes · 1/10 · 21 December 2005]

This is a truly terrible film.

I'm only writing this so that some people somewhere are put off watching it. If I have stopped one person from wasting some of their precious life watching this film I shall die happy.

Unutterably dull, although since it stars Al Pacino I was fooled into thinking that at any moment something interesting was going to happen. Then the credits rolled, and I realised I had been completely fooled into watching this unbelievable drivel.

I cannot believe that this film has achieved as high a score as it has at IMDb (over 5 stars when I last saw the voting). Are you people voting ironically?

Please, please, please do not watch this film!

Not a good movie

[Greatornot · 3/10 · 23 August 2009]

Very silly movie, filled with stupid one liners and Jewish references thru out. It was a serious movie but could not be taken seriously. A familiar movie plot...Being at the wrong place at the wrong time. An atrocious subplot, involving Kim Bassinger. Very robotic and too regimented. I have noticed that Al Pacinos acting abilities seem to be going downhill. A troubleshooter with troubles , but nothing more troubling than Pacinos horrible Atlanta accent. Damage control needs to fix this damage of a film. OK my one liners are bad, but not as bad as the ones in this film. This movie manages to not only be boring but revolting as well. Usually a revolting film is watchable for the wrong reasons. This movie is unwatchable. I did manage to sit through this. The plot ,if written a tad bit better, with , perhaps a little better acting and eliminating the horrendous subplot,and even dumber jokes, could have pulled this thriller out of the doldrums. What we are left with is a dull, silly movie that made sure it was drilled into our heads that Eli Wurman was Jewish. An embarrassment to all the good Jewish folk everywhere.

Can a man know too much?

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 28 January 2012]

Raised in the deep south and ivy league educated, Eli Wurman(Al Pacino)is a resourceful and conniving publicist that has managed and manipulated public lives of the rich and famous. Caught up in Manhattan night life and the dependence on medications from his trusted physician Dr. Sandy Napier(Robert Klein), Eli begins losing his clients; but not his trust in mankind. It appears his powerful career is slipping when his last major client, movie actor Cary Launer(Ryan O'Neal), becomes quite the manipulator himself. He decides to fire Eli and try his hand at politics; knowing where the proverbial bodies are buried. As a favor to Cary, Eli escorts a young starlet(Tia Leoni)to her hotel only to think he is witness to her murder. If his drug addled memory is correct, he can bring down some of the most powerful and influential people in the nation. Does Eli know just enough...or so much he becomes a major threat to his own survival? Pacino really gets caught up in this role; but is it worthy of his reputation? Yea or nay, I enjoyed him to a certain degree. Also in the cast: Kim Basinger, Richard Schiff, Bill Nunn and Ivan Martin.

Pacino on a mission

[barryrd · 4/10 · 5 April 2007]

At the start, the movie seemed like a washout but as it moved to its climax, it became more and more gripping. Al Pacino is an actor par excellence. In this show, he is a man on a mission to bring all the old hack liberals together in an event to support a cause for people who would otherwise be ignored. He calls in debts from all the name celebrities and politicians he knows in New York. It is a challenge that requires him to appeal to their own self-interest.

His health has taken a heavy toll over the years since his glory days in Selma. He is still trying to live up to the promise he once showed. As he says more than once: I finished fourth in my graduating class. Despite himself, he outshines them all in his integrity. Watch this movie, not for the story, but to see a first-rate actor at work.

Great Performances But Too Many Boring Subplots

[Michael_Elliott · 3 January 2013]

People I Know (2002)

** (out of 4)

Press agent Eli Wurman (Al Pacino) is trying to get together a big benefit but other things in his life starts to cause problems. His one client, actor Cary Launer (Ryan O'Neil) asks him to get a hooker (Tea Leoni) he knows out of jail and this here leads to some dark corners of the city involving some high ranked officials. PEOPLE I KNOW pretty much got released without any fan-fair and it's easy to see why because even with an A-list cast the thing just never really comes together. I think the biggest problem with the picture is that the screenplay simply has way too many subplots and none of them are very interesting. I think the film was trying to show how much stuff this agent has going in his life but the only problem is that the majority of it isn't all that interesting. This includes his relationship to his dead brother's widow (Kim Basinger), his needing this party to be a success and of course the stuff dealing with the hooker. The story here is certainly on high speed as all sorts of things are going on but when you don't care about any of them it's hard to get too invested in the film. The only thing that keeps the film interesting are the performances with Pacino leading the way. I thought he was pretty laid back here and this really helped the performance. In this era the actor was known for the screaming and so on but that doesn't happen here and I found him to be very believable in the part. Supporting players Basinger, O'Neal, Leoni, Richard Schiff and others are also very good in their parts. The film is a thriller but there just aren't enough thrills to make it worth sitting through. It's really too bad the performances are wasted in a film where they deserved much more.

Kind Of A Letdown Considering The Talent Involved.......

[underfire35 · 6/10 · 22 July 2005]

PEOPLE I KNOW centers around the character of Eli Wurman (Al Pacino). Wurman is an interesting guy, a civil rights advocate turned jaded New York publicist who has fallen out of favor with just about everyone, including himself. In the past he is said to have marched with Dr. King, but presently he finds himself trying to manufacture positive reviews for bad stage productions. He is aware that he has sold out, but is helpless to resist as the machine moves along relentlessly. He remains in the shadows, doing the things that need to get done and hustling everyone he knows, using all his juice to move things along in a society based on patronage and appearances. This is the situation when Eli's single remaining client, Cary Launer (Ryan O'Neal), sends him to rescue a wayward starlet (Tea Leoni) from jail. The unease is palpable as Eli follows the girl through a maze of intrigue and opium. His brother's widow (Kim Basinger) is also in town, looking for some salvation, and hoping that she has found it in the rumpled publicist. He is also in the midst of planning a large-scale liberal fundraiser. The event becomes an obsession for him; it seems one way to keep a link to his past which has become hazy due to failing health and a vice-filled lifestyle (he is not sanctimonious, imbibing in as much booze and narcotics as anyone in the film). He is selfish for the cause, but the cause is not, and it is unclear whether he still really cares about the civil rights aspects or if he fears losing his small role in the back-room power deals. He seems sincere, though his pleas become increasingly laced with rhetoric. There is mounting frustration at how much work it is to get people to do the right thing. Much of this subplot involves Eli courting a controversial black reverend (Bill Dunn) and a powerful member of the Jewish community (Richard Schiff). Both men like Eli, but neither likes the other and Wurman approaches each with the veracity of a used car salesman. He needs them at the benefit to make a "statement", knowing full well that without "big names" nobody will notice. The movie is at its best when swirling through the names of those people, both past and present, that Eli intends to manipulate. However, as his life begins to unravel, the film fails to move itself towards an organic conclusion and shortchanges the character of Eli Wurman in the process.

I watched PEOPLE I KNOW with my fiancée, who thought the film was dull until the quasi-thriller elements appeared. I, on the other hand, felt cheated by the odd turn of events which moved the plot into familiar territory. The first act is great, but PEOPLE I KNOW slowly descends into events that do not feel natural. The character of Eli is fascinating and it is a shame that the director and writer chose to opt for such a murky and dissatisfying conclusion. During the second half of the film, for example, there are many interesting individual sections, but they do not add up. Pacino is quite good however, although his southern accent does falter a bit (mostly during his rants). Basinger and Pacino have very little chemistry, but then again they have very little screen time together. The whole subplot between them seems forced, machinated for the purposes of the plot. She seems to be there to supply the viewer, not Eli, with hope and to add another layer of superficial drama to the film. Another drawback is that the dialogue continually reminds the audience what Eli is doing; saying, instead of implying, his motivations. If handled in a more subtle way, this would have allowed Pacino to simmer and not boil (see GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS and THE INSIDER). PEOPLE I KNOW is a small scale production that follows in the footsteps of films like SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS and THE PLAYER but lacks the energy, or insight, of either. It should be worth it for fans of Pacino, at least, and is well photographed (by Peter Deming), with a good supporting cast. That said, PEOPLE I KNOW fails to focus on a single set of ideas and ends up being abstracted and confusing, hardly a fitting fate for a guy like Eli Wurman. 6/10

... Are sometimes terribly boring (DVD)

[leplatypus · 4/10 · 7 November 2007]

The movie is about two stories: one is a political murder of a call-girl, the other an upper-class political party. The crossing point is the public relation character played by Al Paccino, as he is the witness of the crime and the instigator of the evening.

If the script is terrible without any decent dialogs and the directing void of any sense of drama, the performance of Al is memorable: how many fellows can be as much convincing as a powerful and feared man (as "The Godfather") as here as a little servant (see also "Donnie Brasco").

Actually, the big young lion has become a tired old one. This passing of ages is very moving, because it makes the audience ponders about getting old too.

But his slowness is only a make-up because he can get back his energy in Church scene.

Maybe it is a good thing that the movie is so awful because it put the starlight on Al's talent!

Al is great, but the movie isn't

[Snoopymichele · 6/10 · 6 March 2007]

CONTAINS SPOILERS BELOW

As a long time Al Pacino fan, I decided to rent this film because the DVD box made it seem like an interesting watch. Too bad it didn't live up to the promise the description on the box gave. On paper, it seems like a great idea for a movie-an Ivy League Southern Boy out of his element amongst the gliterati of the who's who in New York Society. Pacino is outstanding as Eli, a once-idealistic Harvard Law School grad who chooses to spend his time "cleaning up messes" for his famous client (he's a publicist). Too bad his own life is a mess. He's a bachelor who may or may not like women (it was a bit ambiguous at times), a pill popping bundle of nerves, and is plagued with a health problem that takes the viewer on a journey inside his bladder (was this an excuse for the screenwriter to get Al to utter a line about his male anatomy?). From the get-go, you know the character is not long for this world-and it makes you wonder if he's going to go by natural causes or open up his big mouth and invite someone to murder him. As an actor, Pacino is never afraid to take chances, and his work here is excellent as usual.

The supporting cast of Tea Leoni (who steals the movie as a hedonistic TV actress/model), Ryan O'Neal (it was good to see him on screen again, but it was a shame that he wasn't on more) Kim Basinger (as a Southern Bell hot to trot for Eli) and Robert Kline (who knew he could play a menacing character?) was terrific.

The basic premise was interesting, but the story gets caught up in political self-righteousness and loses focus. By the time it ends predictably, you find yourself not caring about what happens to Eli.

Overall, it's not a wasted hour and a half, but it's not one of Al's best films overall. True Pacino fans will want to see it for Al's trademark tirades, and there is one in there that is a doozy. I give People I Know a 6 out of 10.

A hundred minutes of useless film.

[dylan-cross · 3/10 · 15 December 2005]

The only good thing about "People I Know" is that it serves as a perfect example of movies that Al Pacino should avoid performing in. The first big turn-off I had was the way in which Pacino tried to portray a Georgia accent; at times it was weak and unattractive while in other segments it seemed too overdone. Dialogue and character interaction was terrible along with a weak plot. The supporting cast did an extremely perfunctory job in keeping the movie interesting, and within an hour I still saw no signs of a sturdy plot. The story overall is a real bore, and I had to slap myself in the face a few times to keep myself awake.

This movie will surely bore you as well...avoid at all costs.

One of Al Pacino's best roles, better then Michael Corleone in both "Godfather" movies.

[sol1218 · 8/10 · 29 July 2004]

****SPOILERS**** Brutally honest and shocking movie about those in power and how they use that power to control the lives of millions of people from top elected politicians and Wall Street executives to the rank and file working man and women and how far they would go to keep and hold on to their power.

Eli Wurman, Al Pacino, is a top publicity agent in New York City. Having graduated from Harvard Law School #4 in his class he found out that doing publicity for his favorite cause, improving race relations, was more effective then being a top flight civil lawyer or advocate. One night Eli bails out one of his client's actor Cary Launer, Ryan O'Neal,lover who came to see him from California TV star Jill Hopper, Tea Leoni. Instead of driving back to Jill's hotel room she tells the limo driver to take her and Eli to Wall Street.

Going into this secret club thats a cross between a high-class bordello and opium den Eli sees who he's not supposed to see, the makers and shakers in the world of power in both politics and big business, and doing what there not supposed to be doing :drugs sex and making under the table deals that affects countless lives.

Jill's thrown out of the club for going there with an uninvited guest, Eli, but she also secretly took photos of the club and the people there with a hidden camera. The next morning Jill is found dead in her hotel room from an apparent drug overdose. Eli who was there with her out cold in her bathtub, and who her killer didn't see, saw what happened.

Eli is really not a danger to those in power since he's obsessed with his benefit show that he has planned the next day for the improvement of race relations in the city of New York. Trying to get people of fame and power to attend his benefit gives some of them, who Eli saw at that secret club, the idea that he's blackmailing them even though Eli only wanted them to show up and make the benefit be a success. It should have dawned on Eli that his life was in danger by what and who he saw at the club the night before and the death of Jill the next morning but he's so wrapped up with his dream of racial harmony that he didn't realize just how really dangerous things were for him. Still those in power can't take any chances with him blowing their cover and exposing them and in the end they took things into their own hands and that spells D-E-A-T-H for Eli.

Al Pacino's performance in "People I Know" is what I think is one the best of his career on par if not better the his fine work in both "Godfather" movies as well as his roles in "GlenGarry Glen Ross" and "Scent Of A woman" for which he won an Academy Award for best actor. For some strange reason "People I Know" has never been released theatricality but went straight to the video and DVD market like some B-Movie you would see on an airplane for free?

Besides Al Pacino there's fine performances in the movie by it top-rate cast of Kim Basinger Ryan O'Neal Richard Schiff Tea Leoni Robert Kline and Bill Nunn as a fiery Al Sharpton-like Reverend Lyle Blunt who stole almost every scene that he was in. It's Al Pacino who really carried the movie "People I Know" with his both sensitive and tragic role of Eli Wurman who was so absorbed in the good that he was trying to do that he didn't see the evil that was all around him for years that he only noticed when it was too late.

I have to warn you that "People I Know" is a very dark and depressing film and it has no happy ending but it's so "ON" to whats happening in the world of politics and business today that it should be a must for every serious movie goer.

The Sad Smell of Slavery

[rushmore24 · 7/10 · 15 October 2003]

Definitely a 'tour de force' for Al Pacino, but with very effective cameos from Kim and Tia. A rather implausible thriller in that these men of power should have found the camera easily, but as a drama of a defeated liberal trying to make one last attempt to climb out of the swamp it is much more effective. Load up on your caffeine as you'll need to fight off Eli's tiredness as he stumbles through the New York night.

a really disappointing mess, but maybe with editing, average

[teenzombie · 1/10 · 17 July 2002]

Saw this movie in an early preview, and I cannot stress enough how bad I thought this film was. From the very beginning, the audience was groaning over Pacino's awful southern accent. Poor Al looked really, really haggard, and I can't decide whether this was purposely part of his role as a drug addicted publicist, or perhaps he just didn't get any sleep before coming to the set. Much worse than Pacino's close ups, however, is the wretched excuse for a plot. Early in the film we are given indications that Pacino's character is gay, and I suspect that is what the screenwriter had originally intended. Later, however, we are supposed to suspend our incredulity and believe that both Tea Leoni and Kim Basinger (both of whom are sleepwalking through lame roles) lust after this elderly, half dead looking, effeminate man with the ridiculous accent. The worst part overall was the main plot thread, which had to do with some corporate espionage that is never fully explained and we never, ever care about in the slightest. Because this was a preview I will reserve my final judgment, because of the possibility of re-shoots and editing, but you can bet I will not pay a cent to see this in theaters.