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Poster for The Panic in Needle Park

The Panic in Needle Park

God help Bobby and Helen, they're in love in Needle Park

1971 · 1h 50m · PG Crime, Drama, Romance
Directed by Jerry Schatzberg

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Overview

A stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in Needle Park in New York City. Played against this setting is a low-key love story between Bobby, a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen, a homeless girl who finds in her relationship with Bobby the stability she craves.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
80%
Tomatometer
Rotten

The movie's well-fed, camera-loving cast and general air of self-satisfied slumming reveal Panic for what it is: the kind of drug movie a pair of Malibu intellectuals and a fashion photographer would cook up.

Mark Holcomb, Time Out New York
Fresh

It is not filled with quick cutting or gimmicky editing, but Jerry Schatzberg's direction is so confident that we cover the ground effortlessly.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

A gruelling but highly responsible film about the influence of heroin on a New York street romance.

Time Out

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