Scarface Film Analysis

1983 brought with it another brilliant gangster film, also staring gangster actor Al Pacino. Scarface is perhaps one of the most, if not the most, serious film about the underworld workings of America. Full of bitterness, greed, and raw emotion audiences find that things they may have once thought about the workings of the mafia differ greatly. Scarface is a much rougher more gruesome gangster film then audiences had yet experienced. With his all consuming desire to rise up and take control of every ongoing around him, Tony Montana, played by afore mentioned Al Pacino, does not give us even one feature to redeem himself from the greed that surpasses all others. Tony Montana gives us the gangster version of the Horatio Alger Myth. His quick rise to greatness surpasses all those who came before him. However, that quick rise up the corporate gangster ladder soon gives out and sends Tony Montana down a steep drop to his destruction. This film gives audiences the ever present reminder that what goes up, must come down. If Tony Montana had not risen up to quickly he may not have been overwhelmed by his newfound fortune.

A later review of Scarface, leads to a more open interpretation of the workings of the movie. There is no doubt that subtlety to the violence that transpired was not in mind when director Brian de Palma gave us his movie. Tony Montana thirsts for sex, blood, money, and political status. Filled to the brim with action and suspense, from Tony’s first fumbled up drug deal, the cinematography is definitely something to make a note of. As the drug deal goes bust, the camera franticly switches between the bloodbath in the hotel room and the getaway car waiting down below. The movement of the camera forces the audience mem...

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...Tony to change his destiny.

In both movies, Al Pacino did an amazing job portraying two individuals in a life of crime, both characters have something in their sights that they care greatly for, Michael Corleone cares for his family, Tony Montana cares for his success. Both of these characters will stop at nothing to achieve what they feel is the best for their goal. Were it not for the great versatility of Al Pacino being able to play two remarkably contrasting characters, the roles would never be the same. In the same way, if anyone else were to play either character the movie would be completely different. In conclusion, it is a mixture of the storyline, the plot, the character, the actors, and the action that continually draw people in. It is because of such greatness that gangster films have been a fan favorite for so long, and as such will continue to be so.