Review of Scarface (1983) by Yorkman — 20 Jan 2016

Scarface is a film that wasn't successful on release, but quickly gained a cult following on home video that has resulted in it seeping well into pop culture in a way similarly styled films haven't.

Brian De Palma's 162 minute long tale of the 'Cuban Problem' in the late 70's is a feast of visual excess, stunning location shooting, a fantastic soundtrack, brilliant performances, over the top violence and a fairly decent script.

Negatives, well the film is overlong, with too many extended scenes of people just mooching about (usually off their **** on cocaine), or unnecessary scenes which add nothing to the plot, characters or narrative.

What is good is that the film doesn't rely on exposition, there is a great flow (outside the slow, or unnecessary scenes) to the drama, action and emotive elements.

Overall it's well worth watching if you've never seen it. It's a film I first saw 20 years ago on an ex-rental 'Widescreen' VHS tape, a tape I subsequently bought from the shop for a couple of quid and watched with some of my friends almost religiously ever since.