Review – Scarface

Though perhaps not quite the profound commentary on the dark side of the American dream that the film-makers had in mind, this is a darn fine action movie. Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, “political refugee from Cuba,” who comes to the United States in the Marielitos immigration wave to seek his slice of the pie. Through hard work, perseverance and guts he manages to claw his way to the top of his profession, a regular Horatio Alger story except that Tony’s profession happens to be cocaine importing and distribution. Director Brian DePalma and screenwriter Oliver Stone do a masterful job of combining massive amounts of violence, anti-greed moralization and just enough of a sense of humor to keep the whole show from getting tiresome. Though many critics panned it when it first came out, it remains one of my all-time favorite action flicks. Buy the tape (or buy the disc if you prefer; in addition to the usual features, the DVD includes some behind-the-scenes stuff and out-takes)