If anyone snapped their fingers and requested, “What is the first gangster film that involves your thoughts?” I might reckon that a lot of you’ll in all probability choose one in every of Francis Ford Coppola’s finest films in The Godfather trilogy, or one in every of Martin Scorsese’s finest films, Goodfellas.
Nonetheless, should you have been a hip-hop head again within the ‘90s (like I used to be), your reply would possible be the Brian De Palma-directed, Al Pacino-starring-crime drama, Scarface, which is undoubtedly one in every of the best remakes of all time.
I just lately re-watched it because it’s at the moment on Netflix, and let me inform you. It is simply as badass now because it was again on the top of its recognition. Here is why.
It is A Totally different Sort Of Immigrant Story
One in every of my favourite lessons in faculty was movie research on the American western and gangster movies. I assumed this was an odd pairing at first, however the professor made it clear that each genres, at the least for most of the nice movies in every medium, have been primarily about change.
For the western, it was the march towards progress (which is why you typically see railroads being constructed in western movies) and the previous methods being left behind. And, for the gangster movie, it was the change individuals have been bringing to this nation, most notably due to America being the land of alternative (which is why some individuals–specifically immigrants–turned to a lifetime of crime once they realized that they weren’t wished right here).
I bought to look at a few of the most effective western films on this class, in addition to so many nice gangster flicks, however the one outstanding gangster film that wasn’t on the curriculum was the 1983 film Scarface. As a substitute, my professor included the Howard Hughes 1932 authentic. Once I requested him why he didn’t embrace the 1983 movie, he merely shrugged and stated, “As a result of everyone’s in all probability seen that one.”
And, to be honest, he’s not unsuitable. Nonetheless, I feel he missed an excellent alternative to speak about how the 1983’s Scarface has a reasonably distinctive immigrant story, which could be very completely different from the one we sometimes get about Italian immigrants. On this Scarface, we get a Cuban refugee in Tony Montana, performed by Al Pacino.
Within the movie, Montana is actually contemporary off the boat and arriving in Miami. He will get right into a refugee camp, however resulting from his former lifetime of crime, is obtainable a inexperienced card with the duty of murdering one in every of Fidel Casro’s henchmen. This finally results in his ascension within the crime world. It’s actually a distinct strategy to the immigrant story, and it makes for an fascinating companion piece to the 1932 authentic.
Tony Montana Relishes Being The Unhealthy Man
One other factor I like about Scarface – and why it possible linked with rappers within the ‘90s – is as a result of Tony Montana simply loves being a nasty man. Not like, say, Don Corleone, who believes that energy (and household) are every part, Tony Montana actually shoots his finest buddy out of rage after he finds him along with his sister.
He additionally doesn’t function in silence, which is humorous, since Al Pacino additionally performed Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, and in that world, he made connections and have become reliable in a manner that allowed him to function his enterprise quietly. However, that’s not Tony Montana.
Tony is the type of man who wears a white go well with and a pink shirt as if to say, “Come on now. Have a look at me. Don’t I look good?” He’s the type of man who even calls himself a nasty man. In truth, probably the greatest strains within the film issues that very subject:
…Me, I all the time inform the reality. Even after I lie. So say good evening to the unhealthy man! Come on. The final time you gonna see a nasty man like this once more, let me inform you. Come on. Make manner for the unhealthy man. There is a unhealthy man comin’ by means of! Higher get outta his manner!
Scarface
And, that just about sums Tony up proper there. Montana doesn’t conceal behind a desk. He goes out to fancy golf equipment and grabs his spouse by the hair in public. He’s completely unfiltered, and a real antagonist. Tony Soprano, eat your coronary heart out.
The Movie Is Simply Dripping In The ’80s, Which Is One Of The Coolest Many years
One of many coolest video video games of all time is Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis, and one of many causes for that’s as a result of it absolutely embraces its ‘80s aesthetic.
Nonetheless, whereas GTA: VC revels in that period (though it’s a 2002 recreation), Scarface lives in it. That’s why Scarface is undoubtedly probably the greatest films of the ‘80s, and finally probably the greatest films of all time. It virtually marinates in that decade.
From the music, to the can-do perspective, to the sunny outlook towards the longer term, Scarface is 1983 high to backside. And, that is essential, for the reason that time interval of a gangster film is sort of like a personality in itself.
Simply have a look at The Godfather Half II. The story truly takes place in two time intervals, and each of them are distinct from one-another. Michael’s story takes place in 1958. Whereas a younger Vito’s story takes place within the early 1900s.
This is essential thematically, since younger Vito involves the states at a really younger age (and it’s also the place he will get his Corleone surname). We see the trials and tribulations Italian immigrants needed to undergo simply to scrape by, so after we see his son, Michael, within the Nineteen Fifties, we additionally see simply how far he’s come, in addition to the setting shifting together with him.
And, that is similar to Scarface. The surplus of the ‘80s runneths throughout Tony Montana. So, when he’s sitting behind a mountain of cocaine on his desk, it feels very a lot of the time. What a decade to be alive!
Tony’s Rise And Fall Is One For The Ages
Tony Montana will not be a hero. I feel I’ve already established that. From the very onset, you may inform he’s a really unhealthy dude, and you understand that issues aren’t going to finish properly for him.
That stated, he has charisma for days, and you find yourself liking him, though he’s a horrible human being (I imply, at one level, he will get pissed off as a result of anyone needs to kill a journalist with their spouse and little one current, to which Tony adamantly replies, “No spouse, no children.”
So, clearly, this can be a man with a code. Issues are good for Tony on the midpoint of the film when he is constructing his empire. I imply, hell, even the blimp reads, “The World is Yours” (which can also be the title of the underappreciated Scarface online game).
Nonetheless, issues rapidly go south from there. Tony steps on a couple of too many toes, and he will get too massive for his britches, as my mother likes to say.
He additionally will get hopelessly hooked on cocaine, which clouds his judgment to the purpose that he struggles to understand what’s even occurring when his sister will get shot to dying. Oh, and talking of which…
The Remaining Shootout Is One Of The Most Memorable In Movie Historical past
I as soon as had a DVD again within the day from Costco of the most effective motion scenes, which got here from a few of the most effective motion films of all time.
Now, in fact you had your apparent picks, like Rumble within the Bronx, The Matrix, and Laborious Boiled, however it additionally had the ultimate shootout from Scarface, and I am sorry. Is Scarface an motion film impulsively?
Clearly, it is not, however the shootout on the finish is so legendary that it does not really feel misplaced on that listing.
All of it happens when a legion of killers swarm Montana’s mansion. His sister involves shoot her brother after he killed her husband (his former finest buddy), and after she will get shot herself, Tony masses up and will get prepared for warfare, and man, what a scene it’s.
I imply, Tony is killing just about everyone left and proper. And since he is so excessive on coke, he will get pelted with loads of bullets, just for him to simply stand on the high of the staircase, shouting his head off. Finally, he will get blown away from behind. Critically, this scene by no means will get previous.
And, that is why Scarface will all the time be the good gangster film of all time. For extra information on different gangster movies, be sure you swing by right here typically!