VENICE: Al Pacino may be one of the greatest actors of all time, but he confessed on Saturday that he was helped in his latest films by performing alongside a cat and throwing his acting skills out of the window.

Sporting a pair of reflective sunglasses, a spiky haircut and a cheeky grin, “The Godfather” star told journalists his performance in David Gordon Green’s “Manglehorn”, which is in the running for the Golden Lion, was helped by his feline co-star.

The 74-year-old plays an ageing locksmith unable to get over the lost love of his life, who shuts himself off from the world, has a frustrated relationship with his wealthy son and whose only real friend is his cat.

“I was trying to be tender. The cat is a wonderful construct, it helps shape my character, it sheds light on who he is and his relationship to the world,” the Oscar-winner said.

“I have both cats and dogs and love animals, maybe that’s what came through in the film,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014