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Eng 225 final film paper on the movie Scarface
Scarface and the american dream
Eng 225 final film paper on the movie Scarface
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The Greatest Movie Ever Made
Perhaps the best movie to ever bless the eyes of any American is the 1983 Brian DePalma gangster movie classic, Scarface. Scarface is the tale of Tony Montana and his journey through his new life in America in the early 80’s Cuban immigrant movement. The movie depicts the American dream, to be successful, perfectly. Scarface and its main star, Al Pacino, also shows movie watchers in detail, the process of going from “rags-to-riches” since that is what he did in the feature. Lastly, Scarface is perhaps the best movie to ever be made because it basically contains all the characteristics that are that of a great movie.
First of all, Scarface is one of the greatest feature films ever because it illustrates the American dream perfectly, which is to be successful. This story goes in to detail on what some people are willing to do in chase of the American dream. Tony Montana or Scarface was a man who knew what he wanted, but did not have the patience to get it honorably. This description fits many of today's Americans. The fact that so many people can relate to this obsession with obtaining the American dream, is the reason this movie is considered a classic. Though the way he achieved this dream was not honorable and honest, Montana, through illegal means, became very successful at what he did. This movie, perhaps better than Wallstreet (1987), New Jack City (19...
The movie “Scarface” is the story of one these immigrants who came to the United States seeking money and power but ended up with much more than he ever excepted. Al Pacino plays the main
The film follows Henry's mafia life, from when he was 15 and just making drinks for the gangsters until he is a true gangster himself with a wife and family, having kids make drinks for him. The film's tag line is 'Three Decades of life in the Mafia', without even watching the film you can tell by this that the genre of the film will be gangster. The enigma behind this slogan also gives you an insight to the narrative as you, the audience, think, who has spent three decades in the mafia? The final film I decided to study was 'The Krays'; Peter Madak directed this film. This film is autobiographical and is focused around the lives of the infamous Kray twins.
Chinatown is regarded by many as one of the best films ever created. In 2007, The American Film Institute named “Chinatown” as #21 on their list of 100 greatest films! Chinatown is a great film because it is able to show how far people are willing to go to obtain riches and how a detective is willing to go to great lengths to solve the mysteries in front of him. The movie has been talked about in abundance and has even been influenced by real life events from the water company in Los Angeles. It is closely related to corruption and the 1% which people still talk about till this day. In the movie “Chinatown” directed by Roman Polanski, a private detective hired to expose an adulterer finds that he is caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder. Somewhat relating to this is the article “Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%” written by Joseph E. Stiglitz. In the article Stiglitz writes about how democracy in America is a mirage and that the rich
In the two version of Scarface, the main character in each film is an immigrant in America in search of the American Dream. DePalma’s Tony Camonte was from Italy, and in Hawks’s film, Tony Montana was from Cuba. Their immigrant status becomes important as the film emphasizes the idea that both characters came to America with the mindset of achieving the American Dream, which was to become rich and powerful. The amount of lust they had towards power was not only displayed by them climbing their way up to the top of the world through crimes they committed, but was also epitomized by the characters obsession of “The World is Yours” phrase. In the 1931 version, Scarface’s apartment has the view of a billboard with the phrase, which is focused on the end of the film when the lights go out. This symbolizes Scarface’s death and loss of power. In the 1983 version, the film illustrates his power even more by having the phrase inscribed on a giant gold statue, as they hold up the world in their hands. To demonstrate Scarface’s death and loss of power, he falls dead into the pool in front of the statue to reflect the same message from the original version.
They wear fancy suits, drive luxurious cars, and parade around with different women each day. Although being a gangster has some advantages, everything comes with a price. Tom and Matt were such successful gangsters that they attracted enemies from other gangs. The audience watches as Tom and Matt walk down the street, and suddenly gunshots are heard, Matt has been shot and killed. The audience may have assumed all the violence and tragedy would end there but the death of Tom only sparked a bloody mob war. This film was one of the first films of its time to show a mob war which were very common during the 1920s. Competition was one of the biggest parts of being a gangster. Al Pacino who played a famous gangster in the movie The Godfather says in the film, “Everybody loves you until you become competition.” Gangsters were perceived as powerful men who were above the law and who could handle anything, but that is not always the case, especially for Tom. In the end of the film, Tom reign as a gangster comes to an end. He wanted to get revenge for his friend Matt, but it only resulted in his death as well. Some people aren’t as tough as they think they
The classic gangster film focusing on a host of norms defined by some of the first gangster films. This genre originated as an escapism from the negative depression era. People would flock to see the gangsters go from rags to riches with their glitzy lifestyle and beautiful women. As Shadoian puts it, “The gangster’s fizzy spirits, classy lifestyle, and amoral daring were something like Alka-Seltzer for the headaches of the depression” (Shadoin 29). Not all this came easily for the gangsters though, bloodshed is defined as a part of business with guns a constant motif. Despite these negative outcomes, it’s easy to see how this genre was such a great elusion from the everyday where the American Dream seemed like it might not even exist anymore.
Al Capone, America’s most prominent Mafia figure in the 1920’s, also known as “Scarface” for a scar running down his left cheek. Capone didn’t hide in the shadows like most figures in such a shady occupation. He didn’t shy away from the camera, more like he welcomed it, and aimed to be seen by the public as a respectable businessman and a pillar of the community. Surprisingly, Capone wasn’t from a distinctly poor community, his father earned a living as a barber. Capone was introduced to the gang life by a friend and from there it all went downhill and into the life of a gangster.
The gangster genre within films in America has accomplished numerous positive criticisms and constant willing audiences due to containing outstanding spectacles and mind-blowing action. The Godfather, being second on the IMDb Top 250 Movies, has set a new popular concept to life within the Mafia from their point of view. Doing so, creating a positive association. Yet within Italy, the same topic contains a complete different view. Movies such as I Cento Passi demonstrate unenthusiastic view by those whom are outside yet negatively affected by those members. Unlike American films, the gangsters are not as often viewed at the protagonist and are the main causes for the problematic events. But how different is Italian Mafia and American Mafia in cinema?
Another common theme of this wildly intoxicated era was that of the gangsters. In the twenty-first century when the word gangster is uttered, often times images of minorities in baggy clothes comes to mind. However, when discussing the Prohibition Era the lives of gangsters are seen as much more glamorous, and none were more glamorous than that of the ultimate American gangster, Al “Scarface” Capone. Capone’s name brings to mind images of pinstripe suits, underground bars, bootleggers, flappers, and gun fights. His image embodies that of the Prohibition Era and his influence throughout society carries through it. Alphonse Capone is the ultimate American gangster.
The Godfather is most notably one of the most prolific films of its time. This "gangster" film displayed many transformations of permeating color to give the viewer observable cues in its mise en scene that drew one right into the movie. The dramatic acting set the tone of the film with a score that lifted the viewer right out of their seat in many scenes. The directing and cinematography made The Godfather ahead of its time. The nostalgic feel of family importance and the danger of revenge lets us into the life of the Mafia. Even though no other techniques would have given the viewer a feeling of inside the mob like the mise en scene of the power the godfather held, the characters are reinforced literally and figuratively because the story views the Mafia from the inside out, and the cinematography of the film gives it a dangerous and nostalgic feel.
In conclusion, from my perspective, the movie is presented in the middle 70’s, showing a portrayal of a City of New York overcrowded. The violence presented is the primary ingredient, drugs, betrayals and murderers are also included in this film that shows the city from a perspective of the streets and the world of the mafia, probably something that happened in those days and remains part of an unseen
For example the release of The Godfather, while considered by many to be one of the best movies of all time, also created a host of prejudice and negative stereotypes. Italian Americans gained a reputation for organized crime and were often associated by the public as mobsters. This paradox was greatly supported by the movie, The Godfather (Fordham). The success of this movie innately resulted in other films and shows that encouraged the negative stereotypes of Italian Americans in regards to the mafia and organized crime. Italian American fought these stereotypes back with media releases that romanticize Italian culture. For example, movies that involve large family dynamics that create, “deep-seated nostalgia for the ‘old neighborhood’” and enhance the appreciation for Italian culture and combat negative stereotypes
Clint Eastwood’s 2011 film, J. Edgar staring Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover, depicts the personal accounts and reflections of Hoover’s life and professional journey (J. Edgar Hoover). Responsible for the advancements of modern day crime investigation, and the initial establishment of the Federal Beau Of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover successfully directed the FBI for 50 years. Narrated in retrospect, the film portrays significant events throughout his career. In the film J. Edgar Hoover was accurately portrayed as rabidly anti-communist and his manipulation tactics were true to life as well. However, Hoovers flashback in the movie of arresting high profile criminals and solving key cases is dramatized emphasizing he did it all. In the end of the film Hoover’s partner Tolson accurately reveals Hoovers historic false claim to fame of arresting high profile criminals.
Money, murder, power, and loyalty, the epitome and basic essentials of any Mafia movie. Initially, when watching two of the most popular titles in this genre, Goodfellas and The Godfather, they may have similar themes, but in all truth, they are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. While Goodfellas welcomes you to the family with a friendly smile and a voice-over, The Godfather makes you stand astray and watch in silence as an outsider.
“Scarface”, an original gangster film created by Brian De Palma, has captured audience’s attention by remarkable editing shots and the superb use of mise-en-scene. “Scarface”, originally released December 9 of1983, is a drama revolved around the life of Tony Montana who is played by Al Pacino. Tony gets his name by the scar on his face going over his right eye. He was born in Cuba who immigrated to the United State who then starts his life in Florida from the bottom of the drug cartel to soon making his way up to becoming one of the most powerful cocaine cartel leaders in Miami. What made this film so realistic was because at the time, Miami was becoming a huge crime scene to cocaine smuggling and drug wars. According to Answers.com, this time was brutal and the people associated with this lifestyle were known as “Cocaine Cowboys” (par.3). It was a time where it wasn’t unusual to see and hear about drug related deaths. Brian De Palma captured all of this by his utilization of editing style and application of precise mise-en-scene.