- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
-
4 out of 5
This scorching update of Howard Hawks's 1932 classic by director Brian De Palma relocates events to Miami and follows the rapid rise and violent fall of a Cuban refugee turned cocaine-smuggling kingpin. Al Pacino produces one of his finest scenery-chewing performances as the ruthless criminal pursuing the American Dream, and he gets top support from Michelle Pfeiffer as his wife, Steven Bauer as his partner in crime and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as his sister. The sharp, if expletive-ridden, dialogue in Oliver Stone's script and the vivid cinematography of John A Alonzo help make De Palma's urban shocker a modern-day classic and one of the best movies ever made about the subject. However, some may find its excess in all areas - especially the final massacre that outdoes The Wild Bunch - more off-putting than entertaining.
Plot Summary
Gangster drama starring Al Pacino. Having lied his way into the US from Cuba, two-bit criminal Tony Montana murders a political agitator in order to get a green card. From then on he pursues the American Dream with violent, ruthless efficiency - no matter what the cost.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Tony Montana
- Al Pacino
- Manny Ray
- Steven Bauer
- Elvira
- Michelle Pfeiffer
- Gina
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
- Frank Lopez
- Robert Loggia
- Mama Montana
- Miriam Colon
- Omar
- F Murray Abraham
- Alejandro Sosa
- Paul Shenar
- Bernstein
- Harris Yulin
- Chi Chi
- Angel Salazar
- Ernie
- Arnaldo Santana
- Angel
- Pepe Serna
- Nick the Pig
- Michael P Moran
- Hector the Toad
- Al Israel
- Banker
- Dennis Holahan
- Shadow
- Mark Margolis
- Sheffield
- Michael Alldredge
- Seidelbaum
- Ted Beniades
- Luis
- Paul Espel
- Dr Munoz
- Loren Almaguer
- Miriam
- Dawnell Bowers
- Saleslady
- Tina Leigh Cameron
- Ronnie Echevierra
- Victor Campos
- Marielito
- Robert Hammer Cannerday
Crew
- Director
- Brian De Palma
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