Scarface (1932)

Directed by: Howard Hawks
Starring: Paul Muni

****1/2

My Howard Hawks mini-marathon was unintentional but has paid dividends now that I've watched Scarface. Say what you want about the origin of the gangster genre and what movies influenced it. Bonnie and Clyde may have shown the violence, but Scarface invented it. Scorsese may have added humor, but not before Hawks did and The Godfather may have been realistic but didn't hit home like Scarface. I'm not suggesting that Scarface is better or worse than anyone of those films. I'm simply relaying what an appreciation I had for it. Scarface is by far one of the most progressive films I've ever seen and it was way, way ahead of its time.

Paul Muni plays Tony Camonte who rises through the gangster ranks by killing, stealing and defying all the rules. He's arrogant but he's determined... a dangerous combination. I've been an advocate for Paul Muni since seeing Scarface for the first time many years ago, as well as seeing him in The Story of Louis Pasteur and in The Good Earth. He, in my opinion is easily the best actor of his generation and he plays Camonte with no less intensity than we've seen from the likes of Pacino, DeNiro or Pesci.

While one can find art in the blood splattered scenes that Tarantino gives us, Hawks works his way around the 1932 standards with such an artistic quality. Whether it is the beautifully shot opening scene in which there are no cuts or members of a North Side Chicago gang lining up to be killed seen only by silhoette, we are watching perfectly crafted scenes.

When it comes to realism, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Scarface is not a period piece. The movie is challenging the present 1932 during which it was made. The opening title cards were chilling even for someone who barely had grandparents alive then. The movie, while entertaining, has a sole purpose of making a statement to the nation. It tells them that they are responsible for the violence that threatens their lives and their children and that the government is their government and "What are YOU going to do about it.." When the police tell the newspaper editor he needs to stop printing violent stories on the front page, the editor goes off on a rant during which he practically speaks directly into the camera. He's telling the audience how it is, even if its not what they want to hear. Well, this isn't exactly a lesson in filmmaking, but I could only imagine how this movie chilled audiences at the time when it chilled me.

On the immediate surface, there's not much about Scarface that will blow you away, especially if you've seen Brian DePalma's remake which is much more in your face. But as a student of cinema, Scarface is revolutionary. Its a film that defined a genre and has influenced movies since. Its great.