Review of Scarface (1932) by Damjan R — 07 May 2013
This is how a Rags-to-Riches-to-Death story is done. Scarface lights up the screen with its look, with it's sound and most importantly its style. Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who seeks to make a name for himself in the perceived promise land that is the USA.
How does he see it? As he has learned at the movies, and he has modeled his behavior as the screen legends of earlier Hollywood gangster films. De Palma provides stylish direction with many sweeping shots and utilizing a very dramatic color palette that evokes only extreme emotions.
Passion, anger, blood and indulgence rule the day as the black and red interlock with the white of the cocaine in the latter part of the film to give the film a very distinct look. The acting is remarkably understated, but any would look so in the shadow of the otherworldly performance Pacino gives as Tony Montana.
Michelle Pfeiffer emerges from this while playing the quintessential gangster trophy wife, apathetic and disinterested while maintaining an inherent appeal that makes Tony want her the minute he sees her.
The soundtrack is 80s synth decadence at its best but I for one would like to see it scored with the gangster and cocaine rap music it has and continues to inspire, that would be a sight to see (and hear).
Recommended for anyone who likes their gangsters larger than life, because the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
This review of Scarface (1932) was written by Damjan R on 07 May 2013.
Scarface has generally received very positive reviews.
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