Classic: We look back at one of the most defining films of the 1980s, Scarface. With Miami as its backdrop, the film is a cinematic classic. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES
A&E

A Look Back At The Gritty And Iconic Cinematic Masterpiece—Scarface

Diego Cortes , 

Scarface is a motion picture classic that explores the life of Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, after his migration from Cuba to the United States. 

Fueled by the idea that the American Dream can be achieved through hard work, Montana, an ex-military member and former convict, chooses to build his wealth through drug trafficking after joining a crime organization doing business in the streets of 1980s Miami.

The film explores the mentality and behavior of a man filled with ambition yet blinded by his own arrogance. Director Brian De Palma and screenwriter Oliver Stone expand Al Pacino’s character by including elements of his Latin American culture in the storyline.

Scarface succeeds in its portrayal of the main character. When you have a story about a character like Tony Montana, the director can’t simply show a person going from civilian to drug lord based on opportunity alone. De Palma slowly peels off the various layers of Tony’s personality, including his predisposition to crime and his lack of trust in anyone who isn’t himself, as he builds his criminal empire. 

When you watch the movie, you notice two narratives: when Tony is new to the world of trafficking and is earning the respect of his bosses and competitors, and when his paranoia erodes at his success, driving everything he ever loved to a breaking point. 

Another aspect that enhances the movie is when the director challenges the viewer by asking questions, such as, “Do we need people like Tony Montana to play the bad guy in the real world for us to feel comfortable with our lives?”

 A scene that raises that question occurs when Tony is dining with his wife, Elvira. The dinner slowly becomes aggressive as the couple starts expressing their deep-seated resentment toward each other. After Elvira storms out of the restaurant, leaving an inebriated Tony to be judged by the other customers, he rips off a classic monologue (Say goodnight to the bad Guy).  

Stepping away from the story and characters, the setting of 1980s Miami becomes a big part of  the story, especially for locals who can still walk the same streets as Tony. 

They can visit the same motel where Tony’s first drug deal took place and where one of his sidekicks is gutted with a chainsaw. Although the movie is fictional, the setting serves the story so well it makes you believe Tony Montana was an actual part of American history. 

In addition to Pacino, Scarface is full of great performances. Michelle Pfeiffer, who plays Elvira Hancock, Tony’s wife, and Steven Bauer, who plays Manolo “Manny” Ribera, Tony’s best friend, add substance. They provided insight into Tony’s personality, showing how his narcissism and “male chauvinism” as it collides with the rest of the world.

Scarface is excellently filmed, flawlessly written, and every aspect enhances the viewing experience. It’s the definition of a masterpiece and deserves a place in the movie hall of fame.