The Untouchables (1987)

 The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma and released in 1987, is a crime drama that tells the story of the takedown of notorious Chicago mob boss Al Capone during the Prohibition era. The film stars Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness, the federal agent determined to bring Capone to justice, with a stellar supporting cast that includes Robert De Niro as Capone, Sean Connery as the seasoned cop Jim Malone, and Andy Garcia as sharpshooter George Stone.

Set against the backdrop of Chicago in the 1930s, the film showcases the struggle between law enforcement and organized crime, emphasizing the challenges of combating corruption in a city where Capone’s influence has seeped into every level of society. The movie is known for its stylish direction, period detail, and its intense action sequences.

At its heart, The Untouchables is a story of good versus evil, with Eliot Ness as the upright, almost naive, federal agent who believes in justice and the law, contrasting sharply with De Niro’s portrayal of Capone as a ruthless, charismatic criminal mastermind who controls the city through violence and bribery. Costner plays Ness with a stoic resolve, portraying his growth from an idealistic agent to a man hardened by the realities of crime fighting.

Sean Connery, in an Oscar-winning performance, steals the show as Jim Malone, a streetwise, world-weary Irish-American cop who becomes Ness’s mentor. Connery’s portrayal of Malone gives the film its emotional core, especially in the way he guides Ness through the moral gray areas of law enforcement. Malone’s iconic line, “What are you prepared to do?” epitomizes the central theme of the film: to fight men like Capone, one must be willing to go beyond the rules of engagement.

The film’s direction by Brian De Palma is infused with stylistic flourishes, paying homage to classic gangster films while also incorporating suspenseful set pieces. One of the most famous sequences is the train station shootout, inspired by Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin. In this scene, Ness and Stone intercept Capone’s bookkeeper, and the slow-motion sequence of a baby carriage rolling down the steps amidst gunfire is an iconic moment in cinematic history, blending tension, action, and visual storytelling.

Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Al Capone is larger than life, with De Niro capturing both the charm and menace of the real-life gangster. While his screen time is limited, every scene with Capone is filled with intensity, particularly the infamous baseball bat scene, where Capone brutally murders one of his subordinates at a lavish dinner.

The film is also notable for its strong sense of period detail, from the costumes to the set design, which immerses the audience in the Prohibition-era United States. De Palma’s use of Chicago’s architecture, with its towering buildings and shadowy alleys, adds to the film’s noir atmosphere. The cinematography by Stephen H. Burum enhances the tension, with its use of dramatic lighting and framing.

Musically, Ennio Morricone’s score elevates the film with its sweeping, heroic themes. Morricone’s music underscores the emotional highs and lows of the story, with its haunting melodies capturing both the intensity of the action and the moral struggles faced by the characters.

The ensemble cast also features strong performances from Andy Garcia as George Stone, a young and talented marksman who joins Ness’s team, and Charles Martin Smith as Oscar Wallace, a bookish accountant whose expertise in tax law becomes crucial in finally bringing Capone to justice.

One of the central themes of The Untouchables is the idea of sacrifice and what it takes to uphold justice in the face of overwhelming corruption. Throughout the film, Ness and his team are forced to make difficult choices, with some paying the ultimate price. Jim Malone’s death, in particular, is a turning point for Ness, driving him to push past his moral reservations in order to defeat Capone.

In conclusion, The Untouchables is a stylish, intense crime drama that combines strong performances, particularly from Sean Connery and Robert De Niro, with masterful direction from Brian De Palma. Its mix of action, suspense, and character-driven storytelling make it one of the definitive gangster films of the 1980s. The film’s exploration of justice, sacrifice, and the moral ambiguities of law enforcement continues to resonate with audiences, ensuring its place as a classic in the genre.

Scarface (1983)

 Directed by Brian De Palma, Scarface (1983) is a gritty, violent, and iconic crime drama that has left a lasting mark on pop culture. Featuring a powerhouse performance by Al Pacino as the ambitious and ruthless Cuban immigrant Tony Montana, the film chronicles his rise from a low-level criminal to a powerful and feared drug lord in Miami. Known for its unflinching depiction of violence, excess, and the moral decay of the American Dream, Scarface has become a quintessential tale of ambition and self-destruction.

Plot Overview

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s Miami drug trade, the film opens with Tony Montana arriving in the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift, where thousands of Cubans fled to America. Montana, along with his best friend Manny (played by Steven Bauer), begins his journey at the bottom of the criminal underworld, working as a dishwasher in a seedy Cuban restaurant. However, Tony is driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth and power, and he quickly rises through the ranks of Miami’s drug cartel.

Tony’s rise begins when he impresses powerful drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) by executing a bold and dangerous drug deal. This success catapults Tony into the world of high-stakes crime, and he soon begins to covet everything Frank has, including his girlfriend, Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer).

As Tony accumulates power, his actions become more reckless, fueled by greed, paranoia, and his addiction to cocaine. His empire grows, but it also starts to crumble from within, as his increasing instability alienates those closest to him. The film’s dramatic conclusion, which takes place in Tony’s lavish mansion, is one of the most famous and violent climaxes in cinema history, as Tony faces the brutal consequences of his rise to power.

Tony Montana: A Complex Antihero

Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana is unforgettable. Tony is a character of extremes—he’s brutal, cunning, and driven by ambition, yet he is also loyal and bound by a personal code. His rise is fueled by a distorted version of the American Dream, where success is measured by wealth, power, and material excess, regardless of the means used to achieve them. Tony’s motto, “The world is yours,” symbolizes his belief that he can take whatever he desires, no matter the cost.

However, Tony’s downfall is inevitable. His refusal to listen to others, combined with his volatile temper and paranoia, isolates him from his friends and allies. As his empire collapses, the film portrays the price of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power and wealth. Despite his ruthlessness, Tony remains a tragic figure, consumed by the very desires that led to his rise.

Themes of Excess and the American Dream

At its core, Scarface is a critique of the American Dream. Tony Montana embodies the darker side of the immigrant experience, where the pursuit of success leads not to freedom and happiness, but to moral corruption, violence, and alienation. His journey from rags to riches is a twisted version of the classic American success story, showing how unchecked ambition and the pursuit of material wealth can destroy a person from the inside out.

The film is also a commentary on excess, with its depiction of drug addiction, greed, and the hedonistic lifestyle of the rich and powerful. Tony’s empire is built on cocaine, and his own addiction becomes a symbol of his growing instability. As his wealth increases, so does his detachment from reality, and the film portrays his lavish lifestyle as both seductive and destructive.

Visual Style and Violence

Brian De Palma’s direction is stylized, combining gritty realism with over-the-top violence. The film’s depiction of the Miami drug scene is both glamorous and brutal, with De Palma using striking visuals to emphasize the contrasts in Tony’s world. The opulence of Tony’s mansion, filled with gold, marble, and extravagant decor, stands in stark contrast to the violent and dangerous world outside.

The violence in Scarface is shocking and graphic, with the infamous chainsaw scene and the climactic shootout being two of the most memorable moments. The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutality of the drug trade, and its unflinching portrayal of violence adds to the sense of inevitability in Tony’s downfall.

Cultural Impact

Scarface has had a profound influence on pop culture, particularly in the world of hip-hop, where Tony Montana’s rise and fall are seen as emblematic of the dangers and rewards of success. The film’s themes of power, ambition, and excess have resonated with audiences for decades, and its influence can be seen in music, fashion, and even video games.

Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana became a cultural icon, with his lines like “Say hello to my little friend!” and “The world is yours” becoming instantly recognizable. The film’s impact extends beyond its initial release, with its popularity growing over the years, solidifying its place as a cult classic.

Conclusion

Scarface is more than just a crime drama; it is a reflection on the dark side of the American Dream and the destructive power of greed and ambition. With Al Pacino’s unforgettable performance and Brian De Palma’s bold direction, the film explores the extremes of violence, excess, and moral corruption in a way that remains powerful and relevant today. Tony Montana’s rise and fall serve as a cautionary tale, showing that the pursuit of power, without a moral foundation, can only lead to self-destruction.