Scarface (1983) Film Review

Rated R For Sequences Of Strong Bloody Graphic Violence And Drug Use Throughout, Pervasive Strong Language And Sexual Content/Nudity.

2hrs 50min/170min.

226 uses of the F-word.

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS.

This review is dedicated to renowned film critic Roger Ebert. Roger Ebert is my favorite film critic of all time. Ebert had a passion for movies that I feel has transferred down to me. When he loved a movie, he would tell you with his passionate love for movies in mind. He shared this with some films like Scarface, Pulp Fiction and Argo. When he hated a movie, he show the same passion for when he loved a movie. He showed this with films like Armageddon, Jason X and most famously North. Ebert was so passionate that he cut a dinner short with Madonna to get up early the next day to go to a film festival. When I found out that he died, I was heartbroken. Roger Ebert will always be remembered. Now I know he is reviewing films with Gene Siskel up in heaven.

R.I.P. Roger Ebert 1942-2013





Scarface is #10 on my Top 10 Favorite Films Of All Time. I know it sounds cliche to say that Scarface is one of your favorite films but when you watch the film, you are engaged by the core of the story, development of the main central characters and the intensity of the violence, langauge and drug use. Nobody knows this but this was the first film in cinematic history to contain 200 or more uses of the F-word. Also when this film came out, critics hated it. The only film critics that praised it were Roger Ebert and Vincent Canby. Now 30 Years later, it is hailed as a cinematic classic and as of writing this, it is #127 on IMDb's top 250 best movies ever made. There are many things that make Scarface a film taht should be shown in film classes all around America.

Tony Montana(Al Pacino) is a cuban imigrant coming to america to the country of Miami, Florida. Tony and his Friends go on a drug deal but the deal goes horribly awry as one his friends gets killed by a chainsaw. Tony gets enraged and kills the colombians. This is brought to the attention of Frank Lopez(Robert Loggia) who hires Tony because of this. Tony then sees Elvira Hancock(Michelle Pfeiffer) who is Frank's girlfirend whom Tony is immediatley attracted to. Tony sees his mother and Sister Gina but his mother is extremely disgusted of Tony's new life of crime. Frank sends Tony and his other man Omar(F. Murray Abarham) to meet with a colombian drug king-pin. Tony makes a deal with the man without Frank's approval. Omar then gets taken away and is killed by the kingpins. The relationship Between Frank and Tony dissolve because of this deal.

 

 

Tony meets a man named Mel who promises him protection. Tony angers Frank even more when he openly pursues Elvira in the club. After Tony makes another unapproved deal and Frank becomes enraged. Tony is then attacked at a club by Franks Henchmen and in return holds Mel and Frank Hostage. Frank begs Tony not to kill him but has his best friend Manny Ray(Steven Bauer) Shoot and kill Frank. Due to Frank being dead Tony Marries Elvira and climbs to the top of the crime later,  but they both use a hefty amount of cocaine and due to this Elvira cannot have children due to a polluted womb. Elvira and Tony split and Tony has fallen back down to the bottom of the crime ladder. Tony finds Manny and Gina But kills Manny afetr he finds out he Married Gina without his approval. Tony and Gina travel back to the mansion where Sosa's Men are waiting for him. Gina dies and Tony is shot in the back falling into a pool, Dead, under a statue that reads "The World Is Yours".

 

 



The character of Tony Montana is what brings this film together. The way he acts, the way he talks and the way he rises and falls form his gangster empire. He's The anti-hero, thecharacter who does bad things but you root for him anyway. When he speaks, it's usually with a lot of profanities. The point of his rise is when he kills Frank and the point of his fall is when he yells at Elvira in the middle of a busy resteraunt. Tony is a ruthless criminal and that is what makes him so interesting. When he sees Gina talking to a guy in a night club, He gets infuriated and slaps her. His life of crime is so out of control that not even his own mother wants anything to do with him. This is one of the most interesting characters in cinema and is the glue that holds the movie together.

 

 

A lot of people complain the most about the language in the film and question whether or not, if it's nessecary. In my opinion it is. They also complain of the violence. That too, needs to be in this type of film. You cannot tell this type of story if it was rated PG and was targeted to families. Violence and language is a nessecity to Portray Tony Montana as this vulgar Monster who will kill anyone who gets in his way. The other actors in this film do a great job with Michelle Pfieffer and her mixture of "Bad-Girl" and "I Don't Give A Damn" Attitude. Robert Loggia is great as the sloppy yet Develish Frank and Steven Bauer is great at portaying Manny Ray.

 

 

The Story of a man who comes to America, rises to the top of the crime ladder and eventually his fall back down is compelling, original and breath-taking. Films like GoodFellas do this same kind of thing very well, but I think Scarface Pulls it off the best. This is a very long movie but it is worth every single second. Every frame is captivating, every Character is indulging and every line calls to your attention. If you have not seen Scarface and are reading this review, than go out and buy it. It is essential to watch and my 10th favorite film of all time. Check it out.