Dick Tracy (1990) Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino)

Pacino’s greatest and most insane performance was as “Big Boy” in
the live-action comic book film Dick
Tracy.

Al Pacino is a great actor, but his greatest skill is the ability to become
completely insane. The one role that he lost himself in was as “Big Boy” Caprice in Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy (originally called “Plainclothes Tracy) is based on the
newspaper crime comic strip by Chester Gould starting on October 4,
1931.

A bunch of live-action serials started in 1937, but it wasn’t until
1990 that Warren Beatty produced, directed and starred in the action
film Dick Tracy.

Because the film was nothing like the strip, I hated it. But, I’ve come
to appreciate it as a fun over-the-top Mafia film. It was nominated for
seven Academy Award nominations and won Best Original Song, Best Makeup
and Best Art Direction. I can’t argue with any of those since it was
exceptional in all those categories.

Beatty thought about casting Pacino as Big Boy, but Pacino just
finished a run of the play The
Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, which was about a fictional 1930s
Chicago mobster. Beatty figured he wouldn’t want to play that kind of
character again. So, he saw Pacino in a restaurant and asked him if he could think of
someone to cast as “Big Boy.” Pacino said he’d think about it and
called him a few days later saying he’d take the part. Beatty was
shocked, but grateful.

Al Pacino was cast as Alphonse “Big Boy” Caprice and his character
looks nothing like the overweight guy in the comic strips. Instead,
Pacino improvised an ugly character with enormous shoulder pads. In
fact, Slate says Pacino’s performance was “imported
wholesale from a production of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.”

Pacino is overacts a lot in this film, but here are the most insane freak-out
performances.

1. Al Pacino Takes Over a Mob Boss’ Business

The Scene Called For…

“Big Boy” takes over a rival’s business and drops him in the river
after he signs the deed.

But We Got…

The first appearance of Big Boy Caprice is the traditional mob boss
take over scene with Lips Manlis (Sorvino), but Pacino manages to be
more vain, sadistic and crazy than any mob boss before. He goes from
muttering to screaming in less than two minutes.

2. Al Pacino Freaks Out at a Club Rehearsal

The Scene Called For…

Big Boy is leading a rehearsal for his club’s next performance.

What We Got Was…

In another scene, Big Boy is directing Breathless Mahoney (Madonna) and
he’s never been more lecherous and loud.  He’s screaming at the
top of his lungs and slapping her around. If that wasn’t enough, he
gleefully slams the keyboard on the fingers of 88 Keys (Mandy
Patinkin). All the while his eyes
are popping out of their sockets.

3. Al Pacino Freaks Out at a Gangland Meeting

The Scene Called For..

Big Boy collects the crime bosses of the city together to persuade them
to join forces.

What We Got Was…

Another classic scene is when the mob bosses get together to join
forces. Or try to. From misquoting Lincoln to comparing the Mafia to a
bank he chews more scenery than a Wall Street termite.

4. Al Pacino Freaks Out at a Gangland Shootout

The Scene Called For…

Big Boy and his Mob are in caught in a gangland shootout with the
police.

What We Got Was…

The final shoot out is one of the most insane in movie history with
every villain in the film getting gunned down,  but Big Boy
manages to crank enough paranoid jokes to take it over the top.

5. Al Pacino Freaks Out at His Mob Triggermen

The Scene Called For…

Big Boy is angry that his men aren’t able to kill Dick Tracy so he
tells them off.

What We Got Was…

A hilarious rant where Big Boy is so upset that he finally throws his
table onto the floor.

What is your
favorite performance of Al Pacino?

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