Watch Al Pacino In All His Glory!

Rating: 8/10 (1 April 2020)

"Say hello to my little friend!"
You know, when I saw Brian De Palma's gangster epic Scarface for the first time, I hated it. I thought it was a loud, ugly film that is over-the-top in the most gruesome way. As a gangster film, I was also comparing it to The Godfather films which also starred Al Pacino. I guess I did not like that the films are basically the polar opposites within the same genre. Flash forward many years later, I took away my original negative review away because I actually quite liked this film. It became a cult classic and I understand why. The film remains loud and over-the-top, but it's a gritty, dark, violent, and a more realistic take on the Latino gangster world of the 1980's.
The film was written by renowned filmmaker/screenwriter, Oliver Stone. Stone allegedly was fighting cocaine abuse at the time which actually made him the perfect writer for the film considering everything he was going through at the time. Those familiar with film history may know of the 1932's Howard Hawks film of the same title, which coincidentally enough was the most violent film ever made at that time. Stone disliked that movie. He wanted to update that film and set it in a more modern time with drugs as the main culprit, not alcohol. Stone's script is a bit excessive in terms of the "f" word and violence, but Stone was able to give the film plenty of meat for the audience to gnaw on.
The film was originally going to be directed by Sidney Lumet. Lumet wanted to blame the current presidential administration for the influx of cocaine in Miami. Producer Martin Bregman disagreed with his statement and booted him of the project. Brian De Palma, coming off 1980's interesting Dressed to Kill, was hired to take Lumet's place. Palma was able to inject his own vision into the story. Along with Stone's script, Palma made the film ultra-violent. When it was time for the MPAA to give the film a rating, it was rated X 3 times before Universal got involved and made enough tweaks to give the film a hard R. I found that interesting because X ratings were usually reserved for pornographic films and little marketing would have been done for the film. In any case, De Palma did a great job directing the film.
The film follows the story of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), a Cuban gangster who immigrated to Miami during the Mariel boatlift of 1980. Montana felt that the humble work of an immigrant and making little cash is no use for him. Thanks to his friend Manny (Steven Bauer), he took a contract killing which allowed him to gather his green card. Shortly thereafter, he is working for drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) and he brings all sorts of violence into Miami. He is very protective of his younger sister, Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and becomes associated with Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer), a big drug user herself. Now Tony wants it all and he will do what it takes to get it all. But is he ready to pay the hefty price?
Al Pacino gives a delightfully overboard performance. He absolutely owns the character of Tony Montana. His portrayal as the gangster isn't the kind of portrayal where we sympathize with him, but we do get inside his head and understand the motives of his actions. He wants to go to the top, and isn't that really the dream for all of us? He definitely knows how to curse up a storm and how to kill a person in a shocking, violent way. The supporting turns are also excellent. Steven Bauer kills it here as Tony's partner. Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio are very watchable and their careers were launched after this film. Pfeiffer is one of the best actresses of her generation, so I was surprised to see that both De Palma and Pacino were ready to pass on her, but Martin Bregman saved her career.
There are so many incredible scenes here. The film has a basis in history, so I actually was able to learn quite a few things about the Cuban immigration to America and how Fidel Castro used this opportunity to send his prisoners, like Montana, over to the states as a price of revenge. Keep in mind that violence and blood are here throughout. There is a shocking scene involving a chainsaw. The final shootdown, where the film's well-known line of dialogue is said, is also crazy fun to watch. There are also some moments of levity. I like when Tony Montana is trying to bluff his way through customs in Florida.
Scarface is one of the more realistic gangster portrayals you'll find. I mean its raw, gritty, and violent-just like it was in the real world. Maybe the technical aspects cannot reach the levels of the Godfather films, but maybe it doesn't have to. Some folks believe the film also has a cheesy 80's feel, but maybe you could blame Giorgio Moroder's awesome synth score. While the film was initially disliked upon original release, it regained popularity over time and people generally call it a classic. That is the same way it went for me; dislike upon first viewing but grew to like it eventually. This movie also shows why Al Pacino is one of my favorite actors. He is the MAN! It's near three hours long, so be prepared for it.
My Grade: B+