The Panic In Needle Park Movie Review (1971)
A tough film about addicts in New York, The Panic In Needle Park follows a young couple as they spend time together, develop codependency, try to make a name for themselves, and look for their next fix.
Some movies are incredibly important, but unbelievably difficult to watch. The Panic In Needle Park is one of them. Knowing nothing about this film, just like most of those that I watch, I hit play to take the ride. Wow, what a rough and uncomfortable ride…
The Panic In Needle Park is about Helen, a free spirit with no real home base, and her boyfriend Bobby, a small-time drug dealer. This story follows both of them into hardcore addiction, prostitution, theft, jail, and all of the people that they know and meet along the way. “The panic” refers to the time where there are less drugs available and “Needle Park” is a nickname for the area of New York where they squat.
This is a gritty drama that aims to take the viewer right into the life of an addict. Helen and Bobby are frequently surrounded by “friends” who they have occasional encounters with, but they all generally use each other to figure out how, when, and where to score. On the flipside, they regale each other with stories of prison, what they’ve just been through, or ask for help with a baby while spending time prostituting with a John.
Al Pacino’s Bobby is an intense street-savvy guy who has been to jail many times since he was 9 years-old. He is fantastic in this role – magnetic and extreme with the occasional soft moment of contemplation. Kitty Winn’s Helen is a young woman that you feel for – you want her to succeed and it genuinely pains you to watch her fall so far so fast. This codependent relationship is one that so many of us have seen (either on screen or with our own loved ones), but you desperately want one or both of them to decide to get well.
There are several closeup shots of cooking heroin, drawing up the liquid, and injecting it into an arm. While there are cuts to some of the film, it appears to be very real. I watched these sections several times (against my better judgement) because I could not figure out how this was being done with smoke and mirrors. In the end, and after doing some research, it seems that this is potentially the first film to show actual drug injections on film. One can’t say what was in those syringes, of course, but they certainly appear to be real – and are very disturbing to watch.
This is a challenging film and it doesn’t get easier over time. The Panic In Needle Park was made in 1971 with a rating of PG, which absolutely floors me due to the graphic nature of the drug use and frequent prostitution. (Although Poltergeist was also rated PG, so there’s that.) Apparently they cut certain parts of the film to qualify for the PG, although there is a rare longer version that is out of print that is rated R. Please do not take this PG rating at face value and have your 9 year-old watch it with you.
I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that my shoulders hurt from the incredible tension of watching this film. It feels very real, very tragic, and very painful. This will be triggering, but it’s an important movie. Codependency and the merry-go-round of addiction are things that exist on a continuum and they aren’t going away. Just be prepared for this ride when you hit play.
Runtime: 109 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG (I’m fairly sure this would be rated R if released today)
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, but it’s a very challenging watch
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
