Review of Scarface (1983) by Kenneth B — 25 Apr 2015

De Palma's remake of the Howard Hawks film from 1932 does exactly what a remake should. It remains true to enough elements of the original to be considered a bona fide remake yet it takes the story into completely different territory and it does realise a more epic vision. Much like the original it is violent, however it is also morally ambiguous and intriguingly contradictory. Tony Montana is a lot more complex than he seems to be credited for and Pacino lends an contemplative element to the bravura, which allows a way into the character for the audience. Pacino's performance contains enough subtlety for this to simmer under the surface for the most part, but it really comes to the fore towards the end of the film. His performance as Tony Montana is one of the most memorable of any crime movie since The Godfather.

Scarface is decidedly grimier and more primitive than The Godfather, it isn't the kind same sweeping gangster epic but it is a visceral indictment of 1980s excess. Scarface isn't just a shoot 'em up interspersed by soundbites. It is a mob classic, a rough diamond and very much of its time, but nonetheless it is one that will remain a classic.