Scarface (1983) An In-Depth Discussion & Analysis

[@KayxzTarot]

So, I adore this movie and as a woman, i probably am attracted to this movie from a tad bit different perspective. I think it’s interesting how no one mentions the perpetual dissatisfaction from his mother & how that spirals into everything in his life. His ego, his need for greatness, his unquenchable thirst for woman’s approval from perpetually dissatisfied woman. Its a story of a man whose not in tune with his own feminine energy. He’s so disconnected & detached he kills the thing most precious to him, his sister, ultimately by his ungodly need to safe guard it. His ultimate mistake was behind trying to protect a woman and 2 girls. We could see it as “oh, he has a heart” but no, “he has a thing for unobtainable women”. He had a moment to cross over to the “Big Leagues” and join the politicians and the reeeaallll king pins….but, no, he chose women. Anyways, i could go on and on, but the woman always get overlooked in this film, starting with his mothers disapproval- LOVE. THIS. FILM. SO. MUCH.

[@themoviebuff6196]

I see Scarface as a character study of the obsession of pursuing the American Dream, which to most people is wealth, power and status by any means necessary. Tony Montana is an example of someone who attains the American Dream the wrong way and ends up paying the price heavily. He loses his family, best friend, his wife, his empire and ultimately himself in one night. His rapid fall from grace symbolises how someone can lose it all in a quick second. If they make the wrong moves.

[@haustyl12]

He also wanted to cut corners his whole life because he’s a very impatient man. Instead of working a job and rising up. He went to crime and demanded the big jobs which gave the big bucks. His mother despises him because of how he chose to be a criminal instead of an honest man. He refused to do 3-5 years for money laundering and would rather assassinate someone than do time and keep his money which caused his downfall

[@60wwediva]

​@haustyl12 true but you have to remember his reaction to Manny suggesting that doing time in America is a breeze and it's like a hotel compared to Cuba. Please go back and watch the movie carefully. Observe his body language, vocal tonality and his fidgeting. He has some mild PTSD and extreme anxiety from the jail system in Cuba and he'd rather risk it all than go back as he said he didn't want be caged up there again. It's easy to judge him not wanting to do the common sense thing without closely observing and asking WHY he didn't want to. Tony isn't educated nor a relaxed person so to him he believes all jail systems are the same regardless. Also he secretly didn't want to go because he knew after 5 years, he would lose the empire and have to start allover again. 5 years is small to you but in the drug cartel business and king pin business? It's a lifetime and evryrhting rapidly changes in 5 years. 5 years ago chat gpt and ai wasn't that talked about but now it's a major thing. By the time he woudlve gotten out he woudlve had to learn the street again and Manny would've surpassed him by working on his own or for someone else. Gina would be married or having a baby or be like Elvira with the money from Manny. Tony had many reasons to avoid doing the time. It would've saved his life yes but he would've been a goner for real. He wasn't smart enough to stay away from the drugs and stash some of his money ins secret places to get after he is released from prison. Who knows if he would remember where he hid it anyway or if someone would find it in 5 years. Anything can happen in that amount of time.

[@jesusnoesalinascervantes5272]

so true

[@rbrb3625]

- A truly wonderful analysis from Britain ! ! ! The main character has integrity and truth in his own way ! My favourite scene is “What about Ernie ? “

[@Cyruseh]

at 22 just watched the movie for the first time and i loved it

[@virgogaming6488]

I love the soundtrack in Scarface. The video game sequel was great too.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Great deep dive review man. I'm a fan of this movie, it still holds up well enough for me. I agree about the character of Tony just being jarring and permanently out of control. He's all ego, he's VERY controlling, it's basically his world and everyone has to fall in line...yet he has some fleeting moments of humanity.

[@Schizo66651]

Timeless movie

[@FlymanMS]

This movie along with Miami Vice defined 80s Miami aesthetics. It’s one of those great “remakes” that works as its own thing (The Thing by John Carpenter comes to mind too, made around the same time). I love how over the top and grounded in reality this movies is, how silly and brutal it is, how funny and tragic it is and what a great influence it bears.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

completely agree buddy, such a lightning in a bottle film!

[@Martynas007]

Ultra underrated channel. Subbed

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Thanks so much for the kind words! 🙂

[@MMgoodies]

I have to say... great job analyzing this film! I watched this movie for the first time the other day--I'm embarrassed to say--and I was dying to find a good analysis video on it because I feel like there is just SO much to be said about it. I'm surprised none of my old film classes made us watch this honestly. One of the greatest movies of all time, IMO. I agree with you that every scene in this movie has its place. I think Tony Montana's character, as well as Pacino's depiction of him, is so interesting and iconic. I'm sort of in love with his character because he's so real in a lot of ways yet so beyond human, too. I'd love to explore more of the mise en scene of the movie, such as the significance behind certain color choices made (i.e., black mansion walls, Elvira's green dress, etc...). Anyway, much appreciated!

[@damianstarks3338]

Awesome analysis of this masterpiece of a gangster movie.

[@worried1234]

i love this movie with my life, my favorite scene of this movie is after franks death when scarface takes over and has the time of his life while push it to the limit is playing. the scene with the blimp saying “the world is yours” heavily impacts me i don’t know why

[@Joeyjojoshabbadoo]

It's a total masterpiece. Everything about it. Something very over the top, or in your face or something like that, and very deliberately so in all respects. If it was 'bad', as some stodgy critics or movie buffs like to think, and it wasn't beautiful or stylish or innovative e enough, and was like a working-class film or something aesthetically, that was all by design. And it's just note perfect. Everything flows effortlessly. Like a random 70s film, even though in the 70s, he was making more arty type films. Brian De Palma is a genius.

[@matthewmedley8532]

Great review of a brilliant film. Definitely one of depalmas best. Al Pacino an unmissable performance.

[@johneastwood3039]

This is one of my favourite films.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

me too mate. Have you seen Carlito's Way?

[@johneastwood3039]

@@JimTheMovieGeek No I taped it on my box but haven't yet got round to watching it.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

@@johneastwood3039 let me know what you think, i will probably review it soon :)

[@Ryu-hy8mc]

Movies that romanticize the "bad guy" will always be close to home for most of us because our low-key fantasy to be that guy...or is it just me? 😅

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

In some ways yes, I think it's like playing with fire lol, you know it's gonna end bad and you know it's wrong lol

[@holyX]

Tony is Chaotic neutral, but not evil. He was candid and had a moral backbone and wouldn't harm women and kids. These values ultimately trumped all his other desires.

[@OrdnanceLab]

Just discovered the channel. Great video and insight on one of my favorite movies.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Thanks so much

[@vcgomeez]

Great analysis!!!! Such a great movie and love your view on it… totally agree!!👍🏻

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Thanks so much!

[@vcgomeez]

@@JimTheMovieGeek just watched it for the 100th time in Miami too! Hits different!😜 keep up the movie reviews:)

[@brylboy22]

excellent breakdown! just re-watched the film, strong start to 2023 💪🏻

[@r4h4al]

I recommend Body Double as well which is by DePalma it's one of my favourite films.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

cool will have to watch. Have you seen dressed to kill?

[@r4h4al]

@@JimTheMovieGeek No. But I will watch it.

[@tec_savage601]

Never forget anything from this film at all best film ever made

[@KiramidHead]

It's a great movie.

[@ernestmerementsi9013]

This movie is gold 👌💯

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Definitely!

[@MaxsLEGOStopMotion]

Yep yep I am addicted to this film, I’m 15 and I don’t know no one of my age who like this. Today’s Culture is horrible, anyways I’m working my way up to eventually became a filmmaker in the future and make films my self. I’ve analyzed this film a lot as well, and it’s just a incredibly executed film by Brian And Oliver. This analysis is exactly how the film should be perceived 👏 Oh an Al Pacino didn’t play Tony, he became him. Brilliant!

[@jameslangley2196]

You will grow out of this movie fairly soon

[@MaxsLEGOStopMotion]

@@jameslangley2196 i still like it

[@theundisputed3671]

@@MaxsLEGOStopMotion This movie is the greatest ever, numero uno.

[@The_Com-Mentor]

I'm surprised you didn't bring up Tony's mother. She deserved an Oscar for that monologue, an that close up shot of Tony as she's talking, explains Tony's motivation for what he does and the way he is. This is the 1st movie I've seen where the star is the antagonist.

[@karltodd]

A few omitting of connecting tentacles which have been unfortunately missed out. All the same, highly commendable analysis of SCARFACE!!

[@graemewilson7975]

It's ages since I caught up with scarface and after rewatching it struck me how off the reviews of its release were so wrong. It's claimed it a monumental vicious and violent movie-but after rewatching it clearly not as the murders however bad are muted until the barnstorming finale and all guns (literally) blazing. Even the controversial chainsaw scene is largely off screen. And sound effects do the rest. The cast are great. Although no-one hogs the show. Even Pacino allows the other actors to shine Only Sosa (the great late Paul shenar) offers any warmth and he only has transactional relationships. I always liked Alberto whose silence and watchful eyes give anything away. De Palmas skill has always been mocked as a pseudo Hitchcock. Which is unfair to his craftsmanship and skills and that of his crew. The montage effectively at the centre of the most movie shows tonys rise but also his fall is built into it with Bauer's and mastriantonio relationship taking place under his nose, his money problems -washing the money legally and eventually illegally. As you pointed out Montana is a bit of a scumbag and studios will never now give go ahead to such nilistic characters (Stone has an affinity with them as his own director career testified). Great review of superb 80s classic

[@jeffantalik201]

Great analysis; tremendous insight

[@FlowMustGoOn]

my favorite movie all the time , nothing is wasted in this movie like you said , when i watch this first time , every moment in movie was something important more or less but still perfect masterpiece and tony i dont remeber any gangster in movies who can be bad and good at the same time Unique :)

[@adriancimpoi8765]

It s a crime you only have 1.6K views and 65 likes after one *Tony Montana*-ing year!

[@avace917]

That's actually a blimp with "The World Is Yours" written on it. Big difference as minute as it may seem

[@graemewilson7975]

Cracking review. Tony Montana is (I think) a bad seed,and looking at just the UK in 2023 Britain -Scarface called out capitalism right, as we now mired in a country no better than a fourth world tinpot African regime (people of certain age wi understand this) . As to the movie, I love de palms work generally his gangster movies are all unequalled, with exception of Coppola, Leone, Scorsese. Ferrari and Hodges. Beautifully lit, designed and shot (no pun intended) and a so far it's over the top and back down again. De Palma uses his cast excellently especially F Murray Abraham as Omar Suarez (I never trust that fxxking guy) , Suarez has some cracking one liners. Wonderful Michelle Pfeiffer is great as don't get high on your own supply, and a all round great effort. Be surprising if someone makes a three hour epic about wholly unlikable lead. I was too young for original cinema release but caught on a re-release (30th anniversary I think) and was surrounded by all these would be drug dealers in audience, who completely misunderstood message of the movie. As you stated in your review, that central montage is crucial to the movie and Tony's rise. Pacino nails the role (so much so., Rod stieger used his accent in The Specialist (94) but playing Montana two dimensions (rather than carlito or Micheal Corleone whom are very three dimensional characters) keeps Scarface believable. Great review

[@himboronin2573]

Nice vid

[@johnsaikaly]

Scarface is an amazing movie, but even more Pacino is great in most of his films that I’ve seen him in I think my favorite movie that I’ve seen him in is the devils advocate

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

That's a great one, serpico and heat are another two of his best

[@christopherscott7266]

brillant

[@heidi7151]

If you're Cuban or Spanish speaking, there are a lot of problems with it. Just imagine guys with Russian accents doing horrible cockney rhymes and passing off as English. It's really, really bad.

[@jesusnoesalinascervantes5272]

exactly they resent you Normal folks that can be happy easily

[@Eschatologygroup]

Rhe devil advocate when he gets shot was a nod to scarface

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Scarface wasn't a brilliant film but it had it's moments. 5/10. Great fight scene at the end. Paul played a brilliant baddie. Sosa was too clever and powerful to go to prison too well connected. Mr Pacino played a brilliant part as the Cuban.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

What about Ernie. You want a drink of beverage Ernie, sure Tony.

[@killeronduty762]

He’s a renegade he can’t living under rules

[@shreddhead23]

😊🙏💯

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Subscribe for analysis and retrospectives for passionate movie geeks 👇www.youtube.com/@JimTheMovieGeek?sub_confirmation=1

[@nenabunena]

You don't mention The Godfather trilogy or Michael Corleone in your gangster viewing, I highly encourage you watch it. Imo those films especially the first 2 are perfect films, the greatest gangster films of all time and Michael Corleone showcases why Al Pacino is the greatest actor of all time.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

Im planing to review the godfather trilogy very soon they're just such big projects to cover I wanna take my time

[@nenabunena]

@JimTheMovieGeek thanks for the reply, gangster genre is my favorite genre so I look forward to when you get to tgf. I understand how massive an undertaking it is, so take your time. I watch it every year, sometimes even 2x a year lol and still find something new in it

[@nenabunena]

​@JimTheMovieGeek oh you may also be interested in the 1932 scarface with Paul muni and George raft

[@arricammarques1955]

Pacino cuban accent was laughably bad!

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Did they do sausage rolls at the wedding. Don't let the tiger loose it will eat you. Say Allo to my little M16 with m203 grenade launcher and extended mags 30 bullet s instead of 20.

[@andrewcookjr7442]

They could have made a Scarface 2 Elvira was the only one that didn’t die in the movie she could have been pregnant with Tony’s son

[@adrianaguilar7787]

Bro wtfff I’m glad they didn’t😂

[@andrewcookjr7442]

@@adrianaguilar7787 why?? It was in the movie you remember the restaurant scene????

[@jameslangley2196]

One of the most overrated movies in history.

[@JimTheMovieGeek]

respect your opinion dude, why do you think that?

[@jameslangley2196]

@@JimTheMovieGeek , it’s a lousy garish movie that got pretty bad reviews upon release but due to its excesses gained a cult following in the years after that. The first impression was the right one, it’s an immature movie with a ridiculously over the top lead performance alongside a bunch of unlikeable characters.

[@jameslangley2196]

@@JimTheMovieGeek , as I have mentioned on another of your vids, Carlitos Way is excellent. Brain De Palma and Pacino quietly struck gold there.

[@TryNSave]

Couldn’t disagree more. It’s a nearly flawless film, and it’s very likely that some of the initial reviewers were amended as time has passed.

[@Xxandrew01]

Overrated? Yeah sure...if you don't pay attention to the themes, and only want to watch a generic gangster movie that glorifies that life style. What next? You gonna say The Godfather is overrated as well? Get real.