For me, Scarface is the better film. Put me down as one of those people who don't 'get' GoodFellas, but for me people who praise it as being more introspective whilst Scarface as being more about the one-liners and 'novelty factor' are missing the big picture.
Tony Montana represents, for me, the iconic Tom Sawyer character for our modern generation -- that rebel inside all of us who wants everything at all costs.
What makes Scarface my favourite gangster movie all time is the performance of Pacino, portraying the eccentric Cuban refugee who manages to make such an evil man more human, unlike any other movie character at the time, from the first scene when he bluffs his way through the interrogation to when he finally loses his grip on reality.
And of course, Scarface is also about the dark side of capitalism -- ("You know what capitalism is? Getting fucked!").
And okay, it does also have its novelty factor and one-liners, but that's what DePalma was going for -- he wanted to make his movie
iconic.
One of my favourite dialogue scenes from Scarface:
Hector the Toad: So, you got the money?
Tony Montana: Yep. You got the stuff?
Hector the Toad: Sure I have the stuff. I don't have it with me here right now. I have it close by.
Tony Montana: Oh... well I don't have the money either. I have it close by too.
Hector the Toad: Where? Down in your car?
Tony Montana: [lying] Uh... no. Not in the car.
Hector the Toad: No?
Tony Montana: What about you? Where do you keep your stuff?
Hector the Toad: Not far.
Tony Montana: I ain't getting the money unless I see the stuff first.
Hector the Toad: No, no. First the money, then the stuff.
Tony Montana: [after a long tense pause] Okay. You want me to come in, and we start over again?
Hector the Toad: [changing the subject] Where are you from, Tony?
Tony Montana: [getting angry and supicious] What the fuck difference does that make on where I'm from?
Hector the Toad: Cona, Tony. I'm just asking just so I know who I'm doing business with.
Tony Montana: Well, you can know about me when you stop fucking around and start doing business with me, Hector!
To all the people who voted for GoodFellas: I hate you.
Poll
Topic: Scarface or Goodfellas?