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Brian DePalma’s 1983 classic crime drama ‘SCARFACE’ is a bold tale of a Cuban immigrant and his rise to power within the Miami drug trade catalysed by the Cuban crime wave in the early 1980’s. DePalma is able to create an experience that helps soar the audience to the heights of ambition inhibited by the central character, while contrasting his fall due to the nature of his fatal hamartia.
Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is a young political refugee that has escaped the communist rule of his home in Cuba. To finally achieve his goals and become a success within the liberties presented to him by American Society, Tony climbs the ladders of the burgeoning drug trade in Miami accompanied by his best friend Manny. The film shows his rise and fall, as Tony chases his own twisted version of the ‘American Dream’, where in which he fully embraces his given opportunities to accomplish his goals.
DePalma subverts the gangster narrative by presenting it as a clever Shakespearean drama of a man that chase success at the cost of his sanity and soul. Akin to the tragic tale of Macbeth, Montana has a fatal hamartia that becomes detrimental to the success he has amassed by the end of the film. His pursuit of what he wanted most has drained him of those he has loved and ones that had supported in becoming the drug kingpin of Miami.
DePalma’s twisted perception of the American Dream is well explored within Scarface as Tony’s pursuit of materialism is what consumed his soul. Like Macbeth, Tony’s character flaw is his unchecked ambition and paranoia. This leads into his eventual downfall in a climatic third act that is an adrenaline fuelled blend of drama, action, and tragedy.
Al Pacino gives a versatile performance of a Cuban that must assimilate to his new environment. The supporting casts all give great performances.
Although polarised by critics upon release, Scarface is a timeless classic that shows the corruptive influence of Avarice. The film is an action centred tragedy of a man that wanted to achieve greatness, however brought upon his own downfall.
RATING: 5/5
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