The Al Pacino Collection: Panic in Needle Park

Excellent performances by Winn and Pacino, in his first starring role, are only part of what makes this one of the best drug-abuse films to come out of the early seventies. A depressing story but well done nonetheless, it depicts a young girl who goes to New York for an abortion and becomes obsessed with drugs. When her new boyfriend attempts to steal enough to support both of their habits and is imprisoned, she eventually turns to prostitution to support her own habit. An uncompromising and realistic look at the downhill road of drug use, it may be a bit too hard-hitting for softer clientele.