Released in 1983, Scarface has gone on to become one of the most famous and recognized films of all time. Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, a Marileito that has been freed from Castro’s jails and sent to Florida along with the political prisoners that the Carter Administration has taken in. The film follows Tony Montana, as he makes his way up the crime ladder after a harrowing introduction to the coke business in the United States. He ruthlessly squashes anyone who has the audacity to stand in his way, including bent cops.
“Scarface is a contemporary gangster epic that takes it to the limit.” according to Scott Cooper Miami’s blog, “It’s not for everybody but it has undoubtedly become part of Miami’s pop culture.”
What is Scarface?
Scarface is a 1983 American drama and crime film. It is actually a remake of a 1932 movie of the same title. However, many people have remarked that the two films are so different from one another that they should not be considered remakes. Scarface tells the story of Tony Montana, who is a refugee from Cuba who arrives in Miami in the ‘80s with nothing, rising to become a powerful drug lord.
Strap yourself in – Scarface comes at you from the get-go
There is no gentle introduction into the world of crime, bluffing, and violence when it comes to Scarface. The movie will come at you like a raging bull. It is an unyielding and voracious production, with nothing left to your imagination. This is why there are a lot of people that think Scarface is the best crime movie that has ever been made; it is realistic. While the scenes are violent, nothing is left for you to decipher. It all plays out on the screen. At the same time, it happens to be touching. The dialogues are exceptional, and there are also some good songs in the film as well. The official soundtrack features music from Paul Engemann, Helen St. John, Elizabeth Daily, Beth Anderson, Amy Holland, Giorgio Moroder, Maria Conchita, and Debbie Harry.
The brilliant portrayal of Tony Montana
There is no denying that one of the reasons why this film is loved so much is because of the character of Tony Montana. A punk from Cuba, the opening scene of the movie tells you about how Montana came to be in the United States in 1981. One of the most interesting things is the way that this character stays in the memory, taking on the dimensions of a real, tortured individual. Most thrillers will use characters that are interchangeable. Moreover, action tends to be the aim of the game for most gangster movies, rather than personality. However, this is where Scarface is different. It is one of those films that is willing to take an evil and flawed man and turn him into a human.
Scarface still has a cult following today
There is no denying that there have been some criticisms of this movie. Some people have called it over-the-top and very tacky. However, 22 years on, and Scarface still has a huge cult following. This fact alone is testament to just how impactful this movie has been. There are a number of different reasons why this is the case. Of course, we have already discussed the brilliant performance that Al Pacino puts in as Tony Montana. However, one thing that is great about Scarface when compared with a lot of the other gangster movies out there today is the sheer crude approach it has. The gangsters in this film are menacing and they mean business. They do not have the polished look that we have seen with a lot of gangsters that have been featured in over movies.
The legacy of Scarface
This is a film that has certainly had a massive impact on the film industry, as well as other areas of entertainment. Before the film was released, Pacino was already deemed a successful and well-known actor. However, Scarface helped to launch the careers of both Mastrantonio and Pfeiffer. It also had a massive impact on the world of hip hop music, as the release of the film coincided with the rise of this genre of music. Rapper Jay-Z has compared himself to Manolo while Nas compared himself to Tony Montana.
So there you have it: a review of one of the most famous cult films of all time. If you are yet to see Scarface, you definitely need to add this film to your must-watch list. There have even been rumours about a remake, which is supposedly being directed by Fuqua. So, you will definitely need to make sure you see the original first!