Brian De Palma, 1983
May contain minor spoilers!
During lockdown, I'm taking every chance I can to watch a classic movie that I've previously not had a chance to watch, I've already watched and reviewed Schindler's List, Reservoir Dogs, Shutter Island and more, and also had a chance to rewatch classics that I love, including Pulp Fiction and Toy Story. The latest classic movie I have finally had chance to watch is Scarface, a film I have always wanted to watch and is critically recommended. Scarface has had a massive impact on pop culture, constantly being referenced in songs, mainly Hip-Hop music, television shows and video games, and without even watching the movie, the line "SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND" is iconic and recognisable. I decided to see what all the fuss was about.
In a film that came out in the early 1980's, it received a lot of negative criticism, due to its graphic drug use and extreme violence. Some Cubans in Miami objected to the film's portrayal of Cubans as criminals and drug traffickers. In the years that followed however, critics have reappraised it, and it is now considered by some to be one of the best films in the crime genre, and one of the greatest films ever made. Scarface is actually a remake of a film also called Scarface, originally made in 1932. The was based on Italian immigrants rising through the Chicago gangland, and as you can imagine, was banned in many countries for years until it was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1994 and is now available to view.
Scarface's lead character was Antonio 'Tony' Montana, portrayed by Al Pacino. Pacino's career propelled after an incredible performance as Michael Corleone in probably the most critically acclaimed film ever, The Godfather. However, after a career dip in the late 70's and early 80's, his role in Scarface propelled his career once again, and defined him as one of the greatest actors of all time. He was incredible in Scarface. I am rarely captivated by actors but certain actors or performances can grip me, and can accurately portray their characters emotions. From the very first scene, he is intense and confrontational, and his chemistry with his group of friends and fellow Cuban immigrants was clear as day. A film like this, that is full of violence and graphic scenes of distress needs something to break it up, and make a film enjoyable, and Pacino's comedic timing early on makes this easy viewing. His performance led to a Golden Globe nomination, however, most major Award Ceremony's panned the film due to its severe violence. It is only now that the film is regarded as a cult classic and one of the best films of all time.
The film mainly follows a complete breakdown of a man who is overcome with greed and yearning for power. Of course if you add a heap load of Cocaine into the mix, it doesn't help. Scarface is set in early 80's Miami during the Mariel Boatlift, a mass emigration of Cubans who travelled to the United States, looking for political freedom, and to follow the 'American Dream', following Castro's orders. They all arrive with nothing, including Tony and his best friend Manny (Steven Bauer) and seek to create an empire in America. Tony's relationship with his best friend, and his Mother and Sister, who are already situated in Miami, are all tested as he continues to rise and mix with a bad crowd. The film is an incredible multi-character study, with the main focus being Tony Montana, but focuses on other drug lords, drug lord trophy wife Elvira, and of course Manny, his best friend.
The music in this film creates a compelling and realistic 80's feel. Instead of using hits from the time, all the songs featured are composed by Giorgio Moroder. Reflecting his usual style, the music featured has a new wave, synthetic feel, and includes a song called Scarface (Push It to the Limit) which is used during a montage scene depicting the most important and progressive part of the film. This film is often referenced in pop culture, being used in Grand Theft Auto III, and many TV programmes including Stranger Things and American Dad. An interesting fact about the film is that the company set up by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein that was used to launder money was named Montana Management, after Pacino's character.
Scarface, along with Al Pacino's performance, is incredibly influential and it defined crime films, taking inspiration from The Godfather and clearly inspired Scorsese's Goodfellas. All 3 are probably the figure-heads to the crime/gangster genre and all compliment each other. This version of Scarface is, as previously mentioned, a remake, and it was announced in 2011 that another remake would eventually be made, and as of writing, a new director was announced in 2020, and is being written by the Coen brothers and set in Los Angeles. As the original film was about Italian immigrants in Chicago, and this version was about Cuban immigrants in Miami, it will be very interesting to see where this new version takes us.
I really enjoyed this film, and believe it was way ahead of it's time. It's unusual for a film to depict what is currently happening in the real world, as it is set when it was filmed. Normally films revisit key times in history a few years after the events, so for this film to seem ahead of its age, and Pacino's performance to be so well received, even today, is commendable for both the actors, writers and directors. I believe everyone should see this film, and form their own opinion, I'd love to hear other takes on the film, but thought it to be an epic gangster movie, with longevity and a thoroughly deserved cult following.
My Rating: 9/10
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