Directed by:
Brian De PalmaCinematography:
John A. AlonzoComposer:
Giorgio MoroderCast:
Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, Miriam Colon, F. Murray Abraham, Paul Shenar, Harris Yulin (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
After years of diplomatic silence between the United States and Cuba, Castro opens the port of Mariel Harbor, Cuba, to thousands emigrating to the United States in search of the American dream. Shrewdly, Castro also unlocks the overpacked prisons, allowing hordes of criminals to join the refugees. Tony Montana, a small time hood, is one of them. In Florida, Montana connects with gangster Frank Lopez, and guns his way through the sun washed streets of Miami where he finds power, wealth and passion. He kills Lopez and marries his mistress, Elvira. Montana, better known as "Scarface," soon becomes the leader of a bloody cocaine-smuggling empire but at a terrible cost to his sister, Gina and his loyal friend, Manny. However, like that of others before him, Montana's reign is brief and a violent end is guaranteed as rival gangsters compete to become the next drug lord. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (15)
De Palma's films are best seen in their original form and on the big screen because otherwise, they lose much of their power. This new Scarface should be seen mainly as the ultimate homage to Howard Hawks, James Cagney, and all the tough guys from the original world of classic Hollywood gangster films. And if we get the added opportunity to feast on Michelle Pfeiffer's bony junkie character, who built her entire career on this film and closed the door on Grease 2, I have nothing to complain about.
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A very, very good film, I like it very much... But I'm still not giving it 5 stars. It simply not on the level of Carlito's Way, and that's because Tony Montana is a bastard who you can't really root for. However, all those responsible for Scarface did a very good job.__P.S. Anyone who doesn't hold their breath even once during the chainsaw scene has something wrong with them.
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This film has many deaf spots where the editor’s scissors should have been involved to ruthlessly shorten it. Brian De Palma knows how to create an atmosphere, but he can't maintain the pace. A big credit goes to the actors. Al Pacino is unforgettable and practically carries the whole film on his shoulders. With his Spanish accent and sneering face, he captures attention for the entire 170 minutes.
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Probably the biggest movie debt I've had and I'm very glad I took the time to watch it after a long time, because Scarface hasn't aged a day in 40 years. This is an excellent gangster movie that keeps you entertained, shocked, it’s suspenseful and fascinating for the entire two and a half hours. Al Pacino is excellent, but at times he got on my nerves with his behaviour, his sister is hot and so is Elvira. The action scenes have balls even today and blood is not spared. Perhaps the best part is the rise of Al Pacino from nothing to the absolute top. A great cinematic experience and actually a gem among gangster films. 95%
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Oliver Stone and director Brian De Palma turned Howard Hawks' original, straightforward gangster film into a grand masterpiece and populated it with well-developed characters. Unfortunately, they also heavily paid the price of the time, dictated by President Jimmy Carter's anti-communist policies. Tony Montana, a refugee from Cuba under the rule of Fidel Castro, became a symbol of anti-communist resistance, impressing the people who worship the red and white stripes with white stars on a blue background. But anyone who can overlook this dated aspect from the creators will enjoy this impressively crafted "journey to the top." Stone manages to avoid the "godfather" portrayal of the characters, where we can already partially guess the transformation of the "good guys" into the "bad guys." Here, no one can ever be certain whether someone will change and, more importantly, why. The most extensive and problematic development is that of Tony Montana himself, played by Al Pacino, on whom Stone reflects the influence of the most primitive contemporary factors, such as drugs or money. Brian De Palma approached it as a stylized journey, in which even the most brutal violence is necessary (as evidenced by the chainsaw scene and the ending). So as a whole, the film feels like a grand and comprehensive fresco, yet it is capable of delving into the most intricate details. While Scarface cannot be classified as one of the possible definitions of the gangster genre, it can certainly be considered one of its pillars, which is certainly no small feat.
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