Worth A Shot For Pacino's Breathtaking Performance Alone.

Rating: Null/10 (13 March 2015)

Written by Oliver Stone, directed by Brian De Palma & starring Al Pacino in the most vicious role of his career, Scarface is widely considered as a defining classic of its genre & also works as one fascinating character study but what single-handedly elevates this crime drama to a certain level of greatness is Pacino's unforgettable rendition of his character, Tony Montana.
A remake of the 1932 film of the same name, Scarface tells the story of Tony Montana; a Cuban immigrant who arrives in 1980s America with nothing but then rapidly rises to become a powerful drug lord. Extremely protective of his younger sister, disowned by his mother & driven by his greed for more power, the plot covers his journey to the top & the fall that soon followed.
De Palma's direction takes a raw approach in bringing Stone's screenplay to life & makes excessive use of bright colours while painting an overt portrait of 1980s Miami but its very own unrefined presentation also ends up turning the whole experience a bit cumbersome for it isn't the story but Pacino's show-stealing performance that invites the viewers into its premise & glues the film together.
Camera-work is skilfully carried out & pretty much succeeds in creating an atmosphere that feels quite otherworldly. Its 170 minutes of runtime is felt on many occasions for there were moments it could've sped through or trimmed entirely but when everything clicks, it's hard to take your eyes off the screen. And then there is Giorgio Moroder's brilliant score that wonderfully integrates with its narrative.
As far as performances go, Scarface is Al Pacino's show all the way. Having made a career full of terrific performances, this is where he puts every single doubt about his acting ability to rest & just like Tony Montana, announces himself as the finest actor of his era. His work here is so intimidating that it overshadows every other aspect of the picture. And he's excellently supported by Michelle Pfeiffer & others who chip in with fine contributions.
On an overall scale, Scarface may not have lived up to its strong legacy purely from a storytelling perspective but its massive cult following is understandable. Covering themes of greed, addiction & power, bringing on screen its brutal take on American dream, and wrapping itself up on a high with what's easily one of cinema's most explosive finales, Scarface presents itself as what it is, without pretending or sugarcoating, and is worth a shot for Pacino's acting alone for it made Tony Montana truly immortal in the annals of cinema.