“Scarface” is a crime drama about a Cuban refugee who arrives penniless in Miami in the Mariel Boatlift of 1980 and becomes a powerful drug lord. Director Brian De Palma (“Blow Out” 1981) and screenwriter Oliver Stone created an exciting and fast-moving film that runs nearly three hours. However, the excessive violence and language (226 F-Bombs) earned the film an X rating from the MPAA. De Palma appealed and won, receiving an R rating.
Al Pacino delivered an energetic performance as Tony Montana, but after a while his routine as a wealthy drug lord with an overly thick Cuban accent and an overbearing manner began to wear thin. (Some call it over-acting.) At any rate, this was too much for a film with a 170 minute running time. Pacino’s Montana lacked the subtlety of Michael Corleone of “The Godfather” of eleven years prior. Co-stars include Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, F. Murray Abraham, Harris Yulin, Paul Shenar, Mark Margolis, Al Israel, and Miriam Colon as Mama Montana.
“Scarface” was modestly successful at the box office for Martin Bregman Productions and Universal Studios. The film’s success was hampered by the gratuitous sex, violence, drug use, and foul language. Many at the time condsiderded it nothing more than an overblown “B” movie. Brian De Palma was nominated for Worst Director at the 4th Golden Raspberry Awards. It was based on the 1932 film of the same name starring Paul Muni, directed by Howard Hawks, and produced by Howard Hughes. This movie was in turn based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Armitage Trail.
Scarface (1983)
cinema
My Review
“Scarface” is a crime drama about a Cuban refugee who arrives penniless in Miami in the Mariel Boatlift of 1980 and becomes a powerful drug lord. Director Brian De Palma (“Blow Out” 1981) and screenwriter Oliver Stone created an exciting and fast-moving film that runs nearly three hours. However, the excessive violence and language (226 F-Bombs) earned the film an X rating from the MPAA. De Palma appealed and won, receiving an R rating.
Al Pacino delivered an energetic performance as Tony Montana, but after a while his routine as a wealthy drug lord with an overly thick Cuban accent and an overbearing manner began to wear thin. (Some call it over-acting.) At any rate, this was too much for a film with a 170 minute running time. Pacino’s Montana lacked the subtlety of Michael Corleone of “The Godfather” of eleven years prior. Co-stars include Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, F. Murray Abraham, Harris Yulin, Paul Shenar, Mark Margolis, Al Israel, and Miriam Colon as Mama Montana.
“Scarface” was modestly successful at the box office for Martin Bregman Productions and Universal Studios. The film’s success was hampered by the gratuitous sex, violence, drug use, and foul language. Many at the time condsiderded it nothing more than an overblown “B” movie. Brian De Palma was nominated for Worst Director at the 4th Golden Raspberry Awards. It was based on the 1932 film of the same name starring Paul Muni, directed by Howard Hawks, and produced by Howard Hughes. This movie was in turn based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Armitage Trail.