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How was Pacino's performance seen in 1983?

posted 3 years ago by whynotwriteme (7183)
8 replies | jump to latest

Yeah, this is a classic and all, and has inspired untold thousands of gang-bangers and imitation gang-bangers to live lives of excess, but how was Pacino's perfomance seen in 1983?

I don't give a crap about cultural appropriation or ethnic stereotypes, but his "Fock chew, Mang!" accent and weird, at times gay-looking make-up job was downright shambolic if you ask me. Seeing his parodic interpretation of Scarface done so deadly serious makes me wonder how Al was ever considered a great actor.

[–] WilloughbyStain (194) 3 years ago

The performance and movie both divided opinion among critics in much the same way; some found it an engrossing triumph, others thought it was excessive, empty, tacky and risible.

[–] whynotwriteme (7183) 3 years ago

Thanks! I kind of thought it was seen in that divided way. I was a teen when this came out, but I was barely aware of it, being more into SF and F movies back then.

[–] kwestmo (4166) 3 years ago

I thought Pacino started overacting in the 90's but you have convinced me it was earlier.

[–] whynotwriteme (7183) 3 years ago

Oh yeah. I was amazed at the difference between Pacino in subtle roles in 70s films like "Scarecrow" and "Serpico" and the walking joke he played in 83's "Scarface". I actually suspect this shift in style began when he was traumatized in 1980's "Cruising".

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7449) 2 years ago

You remind me of how he got an Oscar nomination for Dick Tracy and rightfully lost to Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. Also to the TC, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Scarface but was snubbed by the Oscars who supposedley thought the movie was too violent to nominate it for anything.

[–] triplea (3577) 2 years ago

Overrated, same as today.

[–] immattj (4042) 2 years ago

When I saw it in '83 I thought it was super intense and at the time that impression was enhanced by my perception of Pacino's acting. My perceptions have changed over the years.

[–] redban (5289) 5 months ago

He was nominated for a razzy award