Have You Seen .........? by David Thomson Part 7 - Scarface, Vanishing Point and Blow Up

 

A movie from 1983 that I had never seen before. In Scarface, a young Al Pacino is playing a Cuban refugee who turns into public enemy number one. As soon as I realised it was a Brian De Palma film from those dark days of 1983, I guessed what we were in for. Written by Oliver Stone with music by Giorgio Moroder, it was typical of it's time. The exterior shots of Miami are incredible, huge numbers of extras with cinematographer John A Alonzo pioneering hand held cameras. Add in an almost unrecognisable and far too thin Michelle Pfeifer. The rise and fall of Tony Montana becomes somewhat predictable with an ending that just would not be allowed today. David Thomson called it "a masterpiece". Maybe of it's time, but not now.

I was surprised that the iconic film Vanishing Point from 1971 does not appear in David Thomson's book. Now I understand why. A car delivery that turns into a chase. Chaos ensues. End of.

London in 1966, a top photographer, gorgeous models, lots of drugs. Living there I missed it all. A fabulous cast with David Hemmings, Sarah Miles and Vanessa Redgrave. Yes, they were young and beautiful in those days. The exterior shots of London are really great, the DVD quality is fantastic, it almost looked in 3D. The interior sets were beautifully lit. Although some of the language and misogamy would not be acceptable today But we do get a performance by The Yardbirds including Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. And it was Maryon Park in Charlton where crucial action takes place. But it's south of the river, so I wouldn't know. I thought there was hardly any plot, more style over substance. Obviously David Thomson was impressed by director Antonioni as he says the film is "a deadpan delight ..... a film of huge charm". That's about all it was.