Interesting take on Scarface. i can definetly go with the communism vs capitalism undertone. The script was written by Oliver Stone. So i can see a connection there. I grew up in the 1980's in the Miami area. So a large Cuban migration happened. Drugs were just ridiculously all over the place.
The crack epidemic all of that was happening. I myself many times growing up was mistaken for cuban. I had cuban classmates and neighbors everywhere. So whereas i can appreciate a political message was intially meant for this. Once the director took over and Al Pacino i think they unintentionally pushed this story in another direction.
Something else many people don't realize about Scarface. Scarface wasn't considered a masterpiece at all. In fact it was at the time probably considered Al Pacino's worse movie and performance. Critics butchered it. Thought it was total crap.
It wasn't until about the end of the 80's going into the 90's that Scarface began to receive any type of critical acclaim. The greater part of that was due to the hip hop generation embracing it. The large move of the urban and minority cultures. This caused critics to take another look. Somehow due to this cult like following of Tony Montana he eventually becomes one of the most influential movie characters ever, lol. So critics are forced to examine what's going on.
Whereas i understand the dichotemy of communism and capitalism being present. I'm not sure the film does a good job of exploring that even if perhaps Oliver Stone meant it that way. I think the movie shows capitalism worked but at the expense of moral agency. Communism didn't work as the result of the cuban refugee crisis.
Tony Montana rises up through the ranks and through class just on willpower. Something that can't be done in every political climate. The problem is Tony Montana in the final act makes a moral decision that transcends capitalism in the viewpoint it represents greed and selfish motivation. As he makes a sacrifice that not only endangers himself his family and his entire organization.
So i don't think he was motivated by greed. His character for me seems motivated by certain values and if you will certain inalienable rights beyond government control or anyones control. That's why in cuba he talks about hating being told what to do or the idea of his freedom being infringed upon. He encounters the same situation in capitalism if you will. He's rising through his organization. Now he's told to do things he doesn't find any moral value in. When he was killing low life thugs and drug dealers like himself it was fine. Morally acceptable to him. However this crosses the line of his moral agency.
To do just a quick parallel on hip hop and urban cultures that embrace this film. I find it so comparable and interesting that it would seem they as well are motivated by greed. The drug dealers the gang bangers. The murderers and the killers. However i find it quite interesting that no matter how wealthy many of them become. They still fight to be respected as a human being and for respect. Even to the point they believe they need to return to their old neighborhoods be shot down and killed. Although they have already achieved a life of wealth and comfort.
So my thoughts in conclusion are for scarface and people like him. Capitalistic societies are the means not the end. To what they seek. So i don't find them to be greedy characters as much as tragic characters. In a political view. I'd say if Oliver Stone meant the film to come out this way. He may be suggesting that none of these political systems work. That at some point we have to transcend them and do what's right. He could also be tying this to the corrupt governments being behind drug cartels etc., So much was happening during the time. I could see him going anyway with that. Good news is Scarface has just in recent history received overall credit for its contributions lol. So F Murray Abraham,, Al Pacino and great actors in the film kinda now have some vindication.
Interesting take on Scarface. i can definetly go with the communism vs capitalism undertone. The script was written by Oliver Stone. So i can see a connection there. I grew up in the 1980's in the Miami area. So a large Cuban migration happened. Drugs were just ridiculously all over the place.
The crack epidemic all of that was happening. I myself many times growing up was mistaken for cuban. I had cuban classmates and neighbors everywhere. So whereas i can appreciate a political message was intially meant for this. Once the director took over and Al Pacino i think they unintentionally pushed this story in another direction.
Something else many people don't realize about Scarface. Scarface wasn't considered a masterpiece at all. In fact it was at the time probably considered Al Pacino's worse movie and performance. Critics butchered it. Thought it was total crap.
It wasn't until about the end of the 80's going into the 90's that Scarface began to receive any type of critical acclaim. The greater part of that was due to the hip hop generation embracing it. The large move of the urban and minority cultures. This caused critics to take another look. Somehow due to this cult like following of Tony Montana he eventually becomes one of the most influential movie characters ever, lol. So critics are forced to examine what's going on.
Whereas i understand the dichotemy of communism and capitalism being present. I'm not sure the film does a good job of exploring that even if perhaps Oliver Stone meant it that way. I think the movie shows capitalism worked but at the expense of moral agency. Communism didn't work as the result of the cuban refugee crisis.
Tony Montana rises up through the ranks and through class just on willpower. Something that can't be done in every political climate. The problem is Tony Montana in the final act makes a moral decision that transcends capitalism in the viewpoint it represents greed and selfish motivation. As he makes a sacrifice that not only endangers himself his family and his entire organization.
So i don't think he was motivated by greed. His character for me seems motivated by certain values and if you will certain inalienable rights beyond government control or anyones control. That's why in cuba he talks about hating being told what to do or the idea of his freedom being infringed upon. He encounters the same situation in capitalism if you will. He's rising through his organization. Now he's told to do things he doesn't find any moral value in. When he was killing low life thugs and drug dealers like himself it was fine. Morally acceptable to him. However this crosses the line of his moral agency.
To do just a quick parallel on hip hop and urban cultures that embrace this film. I find it so comparable and interesting that it would seem they as well are motivated by greed. The drug dealers the gang bangers. The murderers and the killers. However i find it quite interesting that no matter how wealthy many of them become. They still fight to be respected as a human being and for respect. Even to the point they believe they need to return to their old neighborhoods be shot down and killed. Although they have already achieved a life of wealth and comfort.
So my thoughts in conclusion are for scarface and people like him. Capitalistic societies are the means not the end. To what they seek. So i don't find them to be greedy characters as much as tragic characters. In a political view. I'd say if Oliver Stone meant the film to come out this way. He may be suggesting that none of these political systems work. That at some point we have to transcend them and do what's right. He could also be tying this to the corrupt governments being behind drug cartels etc., So much was happening during the time. I could see him going anyway with that. Good news is Scarface has just in recent history received overall credit for its contributions lol. So F Murray Abraham,, Al Pacino and great actors in the film kinda now have some vindication.
T
I kill a communist for fun, but for a green card, I gonna carve him up real nice.