A movie that shook America in 1983, Scarface, is the most recent movie I’ve chosen to watch. The plot follows a Cuban ex-convict Tony Montana from poverty and the harsh reality of a corrupt system to the streets of Miami as a cocaine kingpin.
The image above is a screengrab from near the end of the film, showing a low-angle shot of Tony strategically placed a step higher than the camera to create a more dominant vibe. In the center of the frame, it shows him with a grenade launcher about to blow the knots off a door in-front of him, turning pursuing bad guys into baked beans! He looks Imposing, menacing but also, at the end of line on his sanity. Tony has spent the whole film making every sacrifice necessary to reach the top including his mental health. Surrounding him is his lush, decorative apartment that he earned from the drug trade. You can say Tony is not into being “low-key”. The room also dimly lit in the frame creates an uneasy vibe for the viewers as it gives off a gloomy feel with darker colours but yet an ominous red carpet lining the center that could symbolize the blood that will be spilled on that carpet at the cost of this drug lord lifestyle.
In the lead up to this scene Tony’s mistress is walking towards him without the usual vibe of him being in control. Instead, the camera has her filling up most of the frame and walking towards the camera, a gun pointed and ready at the unkillable Tony Montana. Out of everyone encountered in the film, are the viewers about to see the great drug lord get executed by the one he has most control over? She Insanely fires shots all around him and one strikes him cold. All with a smile on her face with a close shot and frantic camera angle movement with unsettling music to set the scene of something is very wrong. Can this be the end to an invincible run? One of the most famous most prominent feelings for movie goers previous to this scene are well summed up by Madison Noelle Root, “Despite the typically avoidant and negative attitudes of the people around them, the gangster proudly and publicly flaunts their assimilation into American society from their position as former outsiders. When challenged, the protagonists are quick to protect their status, clearly evidencing that they have earned their place at the top and are just as affluent, cultured, and American as anyone else.”. This excited the whole world up for a new “American dream”, but the film also treads carefully with the showing of this scene depicting that there is indeed an end of the line to this fast life and that it is not all just love, sex and rock and roll. One big addiction to the film was a scene where he is holding the freshly shot mistress from the ordeal and he blocks her ears to not allow her to hear the assailants gun shots as they rush the estate. This shows old signs of Tony still wanting to care but also knowing he is so far gone whatever coming may be deserved.
After a few camera shifts, POV shots, close ups and shaky camera work. Montana blows the doors off with his grenade launcher. The speed of the shots doesn’t give you time to relax as it flash frames a group of men getting blown into smithereens. His military background is clearly showcased here with his ability to kill. Tony is feared by most at this point making the viewer almost have a god like vision of his ability to take over any situation. The camera work does a good job of immersing you into the scene, helping you feel the emotions of the main character including the pure insanity at such an event. Beautifully summarized by Tricia Welsh “Impossibly, the man continues to fight back”. This technique has viewers questioning “does this guy actually have a chance?”. Tony steps out the blown up door frame and seems in control as he fires at multiple enemies and not receiving a single bullet back. It takes on a James Bond approach as the main character is perfect at EVERYTHING while the enemies seem like weak soy boys about to soil their diapers. This slowly takes a downward shift as Tony keeps getting rushed and using up his ammo he decides to make one last hurrah in typical fashion. He stands up and throws his arms out letting the enemy finish his already bullet riddled body one last time but the thing is….he even takes this. Tony flails around saying “is that all you got?!”, later needing a hitman with a 12 gauge to sneak up behind him with a well used dolly shot showing who is now in control.
This film ends with Tony in a pool of his own flood with his statue looming over him “the word is mine”, lettering placed on the statue. But at what cost? The movie Scarface had a successful box office grossing $66,443,303, worldwide. With widely acclaimed idolization for this new character I think a majority of people understand the effect this movie had on this world. Who hasn’t heard a friend’s “Tony Montana impression”. Or even heard the above term mocked from the scene “say hello to my little friend”. In summary Scarface had a major impact, good or bad.
Bibliography:
“The World is Yours”: Challenging the American Dream in Howard Hawks’ (1932) and
Brian De Palma’s (1983) Scarface Films, Madison Noelle Root, May 2022
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/41687q48n
“At work in the genre Laboratory”, Tricia Welsh, Spring 1997, Vol.49, Page 39
https://www.jstor.org/stable/20688132
Prasoon Baghel
Hi Martin,
I would like to start with the appreciation for the movie and the scene selection for this analysis. It is a masterpiece in the world of cinema.
Your work delivers an engaging and detailed critique of Scarface, highlighting the film’s themes, visual storytelling, and cultural impact. The analysis effectively captures the tension and symbolism of the climactic grenade-launcher scene, especially through its discussion of mise-en-scene, such as the low-angle shot emphasizing Tony’s dominance and unraveling sanity. The description of the dim lighting and red carpet adds depth, underscoring Tony’s descent into chaos and the inevitable bloodshed of his lifestyle. Your work also broadens its discussion by incorporating scholarly insights, like Madison Noelle Root’s take on the gangster genre’s connection to the American Dream and Tricia Welsh’s emphasis on Tony’s relentless fight, enriching the argument.
The analysis succeeds in tying personal observations to academic context, creating a balance between film critique and broader societal reflections. Its acknowledgment of Scarface’s cultural resonance—through quotes like “say hello to my little friend”—further illustrates the film’s lasting legacy. While the informal tone might not appeal to all readers, it complements the discussion’s accessibility and relatability. The only critique would be the need for slightly more structure to streamline the narrative. Overall, this is a strong and evocative analysis that both celebrates and critiques Scarface’s legacy in American cinema and culture.