Come to think of it, Pacino's life must be a lot like the character in the movie. Just got out of jail, he wants to change his life, do something different. Meanwhile everyone's coming up to him with offers "cmon, do this other gangster movie, you'll be great in it, just like old times". Just like the character he falls for it, out of loyalty, or because he owes favors. And there's no way out.