From refugee to ruthless kingpin, Tony Montana’s rise and fall is a cautionary tale. Al Pacino’s performance love it or hate it made a lasting impact on the film industry. I’ll explore the film’s themes of greed, capitalist corruption, and the intoxicating allure of power. Prepare for the over-the-top 80s aesthetics, the quotable dialogue, and why this film, despite its flaws, has cemented its place as a cult classic. Buckle up for a wild ride through the excess and the consequences of chasing the American Dream.
And remember the eyes Chico they never lie!
References used to create this episode. As always all opinions are my own.
“Making of Scarface.” YouTube, October 2, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILNo-YS9u24.
Pacino, Al. Sonny Boy: A memoir. New York: Penguin Press, 2024
Roff, Don. “Scarface (1983) Beat Sheet Analysis.” Save the Cat!®, December 8, 2023. https://savethecat.com/beat-sheets/scarface-1983-beat-sheet-analysis.
“Scarface (1983 Film).” Wikipedia, April 12, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarface_(1983_film).
Scarface. United States: Universal, 1983.
