the power of artistic passion and freedom

Rating: 10/10 (28 April 2006)

If you look for flaws in this movie, you will certainly find them, like in any movie. The thing is, you just don't care with this kind of artistic expression. It's like Jimi Hendrix - he more than often missed a note or two or played with a off-tuned guitar, but when something so powerful and original hits you, you're just dazzled and left speechless in amazement.
In Scarface, you get a triple treat: Al Pacino in 101% form, Brian de Palma with some incredible directing and the utter original, real and razor-sharp screenplay of Oliver Stone. Method acting by Pacino works here like a firecracker - it broke any kind of consciousness in me that I was after-all watching an illusion, it took me from my seat and inserted me mentally in the action. That end scene is something else..."You f**** with me, you're f****** with da best".
In a top ten of memorable quotes packed movies, this one will definitely be in the first 5. "I kill communists for fun". How much complexity in a simple line - it is drama,humor,mindless lack of morality, and the list can go on. Also, the characters are almost iconic: the corrupt cop, the Columbian drug-lord, the junkie wife, the lost sister...all characters are developed with great insight and realism.
The casting is also incredible, even Mary E. M., which I usually find annoying. F.Murray A. has a small role, but effective and Steven Bauer does exactly what his character is supposed to be doing. It is pointless to say that the movie would have been less without Pacino, who shines like the sun in this one. His performance could be placed alongside any major work of art and belong there 100%.
"In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you make the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women". The American Dream. Explains it better than any history book.
"The world is yours." Careful what you wish for.