Al Pacino and Vince Vaughn star together in Easy’s Waltz, the directorial debut of Nic Pizzolatto, creator of True Detective. The film follows Easy, a faded Vegas crooner played by Vaughn, who gets a last chance to reclaim stardom when a seasoned casino booker, portrayed by Pacino, spots his potential. This drama, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, explores themes of redemption and the enduring spirit of show business, spotlighting Al Pacino Easy’s Waltz as a key focus.
Vaughn, who has collaborated with Pizzolatto before on True Detective season 2, has nurtured this project for years. The actor describes working alongside Pacino as a reminder of his original passion for performing and is thrilled to finally share their work with audiences at TIFF. This film is a heartfelt homage to performers and the challenges they face in the entertainment world.
Vince Vaughn Reflects on Inspiration and Collaboration with Al Pacino
Vince Vaughn openly expressed how deeply Al Pacino influenced his desire to act. He said,
“Al is one of the people as a child who inspired me to want to perform, so, of course, I was beyond thrilled to have a chance to work with him,”
highlighting the personal significance of this collaboration. Vaughn also praised Pacino’s ability to captivate audiences across genres and create an emotional connection, noting,
“Any genre he’s been in, in so many different types of things, he’s captivating. He has one of those rare qualities where, as an audience, you really connect to him.”
Talking about Pacino’s role as Mickey Albano, a complex and unpredictable casino booker, Vaughn admired the actor’s effortless strength and nuanced portrayal. He commented,
“He has such a strength without trying hard. He’s playful. It’s even more captivating and dangerous with the character he plays. Like, there’s real love in him, and then there’s real gravitas, but it’s kind of thrown away in the light. And it’s that unpredictability, you’re not quite sure where this is going.”
Vaughn further praised Pacino’s sincerity and presence, saying,
“I was just blown away with how alive and light and honest [he is]. It felt like having a real conversation with somebody.”
Al Pacino’s Praises for Vince Vaughn and His Performance
Al Pacino openly admired Vince Vaughn’s dramatic and musical talents throughout the film’s production. He stated,
“I really had a pleasure working with Vincent. It was a pleasure to watch him. And I kept telling people, This man is transcendent. His performance is beautiful. Not that I ever doubted that he could do anything, but it’s very, very refreshing to be around something like his interpretation.”
Vaughn not only showcases his acting abilities but also his vocal skills, performing over a dozen songs in the film himself. His renditions range from holiday classics like Little Drummer Boy to the pop hit Edge of Seventeen, all shaped with the help of music producer Keefus Ciancia. Pacino praised this side of Vaughn’s artistry, saying,
“His acting, but also his singing and interpretation of the songs, I was just like, he can do this stuff. I thought this guy could be [a Vegas headliner] or something. He had such a natural take on it. When you hear him sing, he actually moves you.”
The veteran actor continued,
“That’s the truth. I saw it right from the get-go. I wasn’t influenced by the character I was playing. I just saw it as Al.”
Vince Vaughn’s Musical Journey in Easy’s Waltz
Though Vince Vaughn has sung publicly before, such as leading
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game”
at the 2016 World Series and performing in his 2013 film The Internship, Easy’s Waltz presented a new challenge by requiring him to carry a film with his singing. Vaughn described the process as “overwhelming” but rewarding, crediting his collaboration with producer Keefus Ciancia for the creative freedom they shared. He explained,
“We would film and know a song was coming up, so I would go with Keefus, who was really the musical orchestrator. He was very warm and great with me and gracious, and gave me lots of space to try stuff.”
Vaughn and his band did not perform live during shooting; instead, they recorded tracks in a studio and used playback during filming for accuracy. Vaughn emphasized,
“Myself and the band weren’t playing a live version. Everyone recorded their stuff in the studio, and then we would put it together and do playback on the day.”
He added that his approach was grounded in acting rather than perfect musical execution:
“I really approached it like an actor, and saw his thing as trying to connect to the stories and connect to the audience in an authentic way. It’s not really about hitting the note perfectly.”
Vaughn reflected on music’s emotional power, saying,
“Music, I always thought, was, in a way, the most powerful art form because it would just transport you instantly. Music could take you so far, so fast.”
Al Pacino Shares His Thoughts on Acting and Staying Motivated
Pacino also reflected on the creative power of acting, comparing it to music’s ability to transport and transform. He said,
“If you make that connection, like Vince was saying, you can get into another world, and stepping into another world is very invigorating. It brings you to certain places in your own imagination. It’s very hard to explain.”
The legendary actor described his long career with humility, noting,
“When you’ve been doing it as long as I have, you don’t examine it much. Why do I do this? I mean, I can’t pick up a harmonica and just play on it, you know? But I can pick up a script, and somehow I can do that. It’s part of your anatomy.”
At 85, Pacino is choosing smaller roles but remains passionate about his craft. When asked what motivates him, he jokes,
“Uh, well, just staying alive. I’m looking around, saying, ‘How long does this go on?’ I guess that’s a motivation.”
More seriously, he added,
“I’m so grateful that I still can do this…Acting is exciting for me because we just don’t know what’s gonna happen. And it’s an adventure, really.”
Easy’s Waltz to Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival
The film also stars Simon Rex, Kate Mara, and music icon Shania Twain, rounding out a cast steeped in both acting talent and musical authenticity. Audiences will witness the first screen pairing of Pacino and Vaughn when Easy’s Waltz opens at TIFF on September 11, promising a compelling story about resilience and artistry in the vibrant yet unforgiving world of Vegas entertainment.
With its combination of dramatic storytelling and musical performance, Easy’s Waltz highlights the enduring allure of show business and the human stories behind the spotlight. The collaboration between legendary and contemporary stars, anchored by Pizzolatto’s directorial vision, positions the film as a standout entry at the festival and a notable milestone in both actors’ careers.
