2007-04-26 16:58:29 · 30 answers · asked by dennyhas 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
Easily, the answer is Michael Corleone.
Anyone saying Scarface is dead wrong.
Another person asked what is a better film, The Godfather or Scarface. The question might as well be what is better -- The Mighty Ducks or Lord of the Rings.
There is not a single element in Scarface, if one breaks it down into elements, that is better than The Godfather.
Just go down the list.
Music score- Godfather.
Production Design - Godfather,
Cinematography - Godfather.
Screenplay - Godfather
Story - Godfather
Cast (main characters) - Godfather
Cast (supporting characters) - Godfather
Cast overall (Godfather)
Even things like costumes, sound, and so on are all in favor of The Godfather.
For these reason The Godfather is in the top ten of American cinema. Scarface won't rate the top 100.
Now, Scarface is popular as a cult film. Rappers like it. Young men like it, but just because Pacino is violent and has a thick accent doesn't mean he's interesting.
There's no emotional depth to Scarface. All you know is he was poor and he want's to be rich. And he does blow and goes crazy. That's it.
Does he convey volumes of emotional information just by a look, like Michael Corleone does. Does the production design and cinematography embellis the character.
Does anything compare in Scarface to the chiaroscuro cinematography, production design, and costuming as it reflects the characters inner thoughts.
Chiaroscuro is an art term. Basically, it means as if coming out of darkness. And it is used to an exception degree in Godfather. The opening scene has the fellow talking about how he believes in America as the camera draws back. He's in a tux in Brando's office, which is not lit, but drenched in blacks and greys and browns, so that all you concentrate is the character. And Brando is also wearing a tux and he also blends in. However, it is he that is clearly in charge and the darkness and apparent depth is a reflection of his authority (this is HIS world) and also of the world he works in, of crime--although the film treats it as just business.
And this is the world Michael Corleone doesn't want to be a a part of, nor does his father, initially. When he takes over, this world is not the one his father is the master of, who is relatively at ease in it and of it. No, this world is one that is eating away at Michael and the darkness is something he is stuck in. It is something eating at him. It is all he can do to keep the darkness from the light. At the end of Godfather II, he realizes that this is the world he must be in. He cuts off the light... coming from his wife and his family.
And in that one scene, where he argues with his wife, his inner conflict comes to the fore. His emotions are no longer suppressed to the extent they were before. But, none of it is a surprise because all of the emotion was evident, if not explicitly so.
In Michael's machinations, he's had to be smarter than everyone else. He had to know when to use violence and when not to. He's had to keep control over all the seemingly random elements within his control (the family) and without. It is a complicated world, between Fredo, and Hyram Roth, his wife, and his children, the world at large, the legitimate life he wants to lead, but cannot. The burdens he carries are immense.
None of this is in Scarface. Tony Montana is just a thug. An ignorant, largely stupid, ugly thug, who knows only one thing: violence. His sister is no surrogate for Fredo, the Family, his family with his wife, his sister, Las Vegas, the hearings, Roth...nothing compares.
Serpico is an interesting character, but it is nowhere as epic as Michael Corleone. Michael Corleone might as well be a myth like Hercules.
There is simply no greater character than Michael Corleone.
He is one of the great, tragic figures in American cinema.
Michael Corleone, hands down.
2007-04-26 17:57:02 · answer #1 · answered by nyc_1oo14 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the answer that you are fishing for is Tony
Montana and the reason is: for men betweent the ages of 18-35, Tony is a great character.
Tony gets to
1) Get the money
2) Do the drugs
3) Get the women
4) Kill people he doesn't like-including his boss! Who wouldn't like that!?
I don't think it was Pacino's best acting job, but it will be the role that a certain type of male always remembers.
2007-04-27 03:32:13 · answer #2 · answered by Dr.Cyclops 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Scarface defines Al Pacino.
2007-04-27 00:00:47 · answer #3 · answered by JADE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definately Scarface
2007-04-27 02:13:41 · answer #4 · answered by Christy K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some would argue Tony Montana(blatantly obvious) or Michael Corleone(popular choice). I think going away from those superb picks, either Carlito or the character from "Scent of a Woman", Hoohaa!
2007-04-27 00:06:37 · answer #5 · answered by Cone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It kills me to be cliche but probably Scarface. The way he played Tony Montana was perfect, he was made for that part. Then there's "Heat" and Any Given Sunday. Thats a tough question he has such a wide acting range he is definitely one of the best.
2007-04-27 00:02:52 · answer #6 · answered by dellptn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion it would have to be: Tony Montana from "Scarface".
Michael Corleone was excellent as well, but still for me, it's Tony Montana.
Have a lovely rest of the evening.
2007-04-27 00:01:57 · answer #7 · answered by Goblin g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scarface,one of my favorite Mob Movies
2007-04-27 00:01:59 · answer #8 · answered by rebelady28379 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Serpico
2007-04-27 00:01:37 · answer #9 · answered by kudo452 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's great in everything he does but I loved him in Scarface and Heat. Those are 2 of my favorite movies.
2007-04-27 00:01:19 · answer #10 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋