Overrated and Overstated - SCARFACE

SCARFACE

1983 - 170 Minutes - Crime/Drama

Director: Brian De Palma

Country: United States

IMDB: 8.3

Metacritic: 65

RT: 89%

EpicEnthusiast's Rating: 6/10

Watch this movie if you enjoy: 

• violence/gore

• crime/drugs/mob

• Michelle Pfeiffer

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• violence/gore

• a weak screenplay

• poor characterization/acting

• montages

(minor spoilers and language below)

"Scarface is one of special movies, like "The Godfather," that is willing to take a flawed, evill man and allow him to be human," - Roger Ebert - Chicago Sun-Times

"A beautiful, at times poetic exercise in excess from Brian De Palma." - TV Guide

"Performances are excellent, and despite its moralistic conclusion, the film has since become de rideur for crack baron, who know a good shoot-em-ep when they see one." 

- Andy Gill - Empire

Well... not exactly. 

Brian De Palma's Scarface celebrated it's 30th anniversary this year, and is renowned as a crime saga classic. Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who decides he wants to take Miami by storm, and become a drug lord. In the process, he fights back agaisnt extreme violence, kills off his bosses in the hope of taking their positions, and is seemingly unfazed by any and all obstacles. He woos a beautiful woman (Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira Hancock), buys a massive mansion and takes control of the south Florida drug landscape. The story had promise, but Brian De Palma and company failed to execute. Scarface is a poorly done, extravagant film that is basely placed among the crime classics. 

Headlining the negative features is lean man Al Pacino. He was surely the ideal actor for the role in 1983, coming off huge performances in the 70's like "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part ll," "Serpico," and "Dog Day Afternoon." He was smack in the middle of his prime, and familiar with a crime-oriented role. Hell, he even sort of looked Cuban. He's a favorite actor of mine, but his acting in Scarface was all too fake. While he may resemble a Cuban, his attempt at a Cuban accent was bothersome. It felt forced and unnatural, and sparked flashbacks from his Italian role in "The Godfather" as Michael Corleone. Italy is where his actual decent lies, and he was much more believable as an Italian. Worse than the accent though, was his overall body language. Everything he did, from walking and talking to smoking and shooting was exaggerated and over the top. He spoke loudly, almost yelling in unneeded settings. His presence as a powerful and ambitious figure was clear, but almost too clear. Some claim that he acted this way because he was constantly abusing cocaine. (the prominent drug in the film) I don't buy it, but even if I did, I wouldn't dismiss the overblown mannerisms. Pacino had a role in "Heat" where his character (a homicide detective) was a little wacky sometimes, but it was given to us in small doses. This was non-stop, and it was just too much. His dialogue was also poor, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and point the finger at screenwriter Oliver Stone for that one. 

Al Pacino as Tony Montana

Speaking of Stone's script, it was cliched and immature. It featured a lot of dialogue that seemed abnormal and unfitting. At times, it was even comical:

"I'm Tony Montana! You fuck with me, you fuckin' with the best!" - Tony Montana

"You know what? Fuck you! How about that?" - Tony Montana 

"The only thing in this world that gives orders... is balls." - Tony Montana 

Again, I blame Stone more so than Pacino here, but it just couldn't be taken seriously. In his quote above, the late Roger Ebert claimed that Tony Montana was humanized, but I disagree. I don't think any of the characters in Scarface resembled real people, and it really weakened the plot. And let's not forget about the most famous of them all: "Say Hello to My Little Friend!' This phrase has literally become a brand name over the years, and it's quite puzzling. The line is random, out of place, and prefaced by a snort of cocaine. It's the most overrated line in film history. 

Seriously?

"Uh, hello little friend..."

Perhaps what I disliked most about Scarface (because I focus so much on them) was the relationship between Tony Montana and Elvira Hancock. The basis has been done a million times: "My boss has a hot wife, I think I'll find a way to capture her." But to make matters worse, it was done in a horrible manner. To be expected, Hancock despises Montana to begin with. He's a disgusting immigrant that calls her "baby." Okay, fine by me. Then as he climbs up the crime ladder, she allows him to sit poolside and ask her to have babies with him. Excuse me? And by the final third of the film, they're getting married in a laughable montage. There was no expression of real feelings, no substance, and no timeframe for any of it. Hancock came off as a pretty housewife that couldn't think for herself, and that wanted nothing more than money. It's possible that that is precisely what she was supposed to be, bit either way it didn't work. 

Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface

The last thing I'd like to add regarding Scarface is it's recognition. While many see it as one of the great films of all time, it was never nominated for an Oscar. In fact, Brian De Palma was even nominated for WORST director by Razzies, who gives out awards for worst film aspects in the Academy's categories. Not all great films get heavy attention at the Oscars, but many do. It was almost as if Al Pacino and the cast were attempting to make fun of these Oscar-winning mob movies. Jay Carr of the Boston Globe concurs: 

"It plays like a crude "Godfather" parody, the sort that might amuse a 10-minute sketch on "Saturday Night live," but curdles and collapses as a 143-minute film." [09 Dec 1983]

The film is actually well overlong at 170 minutes, but was edited for the theaters upon release in 1983. Clearly, Carr didn't think chopping 27 minutes helped any. 

Overall, Scarface fails in all the major categories of a successful crime drama: A strong script, believable and necessary violence, and convincing relationships. It's poorly acted (even from the great Al Pacino), and lacks a serious tone. Decent cinematography and some cool visual effects keep it from being a total bomb, but it remains one of the most overrated films ever made.

- EE


If you're a fan of well-done mob movies, I recommend the following titles:

• Goodfellas
• The Godfather 
• The Godfather Part ll
• Casino
• The Departed 
• Donnie Brasco
• American Gangster
• Eastern Promises