Why Al Pacino’s favourite director hated his most iconic role: “He was so mad”
Some films leave filmmakers jumping through flaming hoops to try and justify, with audiences being nothing but baffled at projects like The Idol, Joker: Folie à Deux and Emilia Perez. While some stories have aged like warm milk, many only grow in popularity as they grow older, with audiences gaining a newfound understanding and appreciation of the film as time goes by. Many actors over the years have struggled with this dilemma, starring in daring projects that might not be immediately loved but approaching it with an all guns blazing attitude, something that Al Pacino did in spite of the criticism he received from a former director on one of his most renowned films.
Pacino is one of the true greats of the New Hollywood movement and beyond, starring in high-octane thrillers such as Heat, Dog Day Afternoon and The Godfather, becoming a reigning hero of ‘70’s cinema for his portrayal of hyper-masculine anti-heroes. Over the years, he accumulated a collection of credits that boast the names of some of the most influential directors of all time, whether it be Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, Michael Mann, Sidney Lumet and Jerry Schatzberg.
However, while he was met with unequivocal praise for many of these roles, there was one that grabbed the attention of Pacino’s former colleague for all the wrong reasons, with a legendary director being unconvinced by his decision to star in Scarface.
Directed in 1983 by Brian De Palma, Scarface follows the life and career of Tony Montana, a Miami drug lord who ruthlessly crawls his way to the top before suffering a colossal downfall. The film is one of the most recognisable in Pacino’s filmography, giving birth to lines such as “Say hello to my little friend” and the iconic entrance from Michelle Pfeiffer, which became one of the defining moments of her career.
While the film is held in high regard by film bros and action lovers all over the world, Pacino found himself having to defend the project to Sidney Lumet, with whom he had worked on Dog Day Afternoon in 1975. Lumet is known for groundbreaking films such as 12 Angry Men, Network and The Verdict, becoming one of the pioneers of the courtroom drama and frequently collaborating with Pacino.
However, Lumet did not care for the qualities that came to define Scarface, with the director describing it as an offensive project and being baffled by Pacino’s love for the story. But Pacino still thought fondly of the filmmaker, saying, “My favourite, Lumet. Sidney Lumet said ‘Al, how do you go in there and do that crap?’ He was so mad. I kept thinking, ‘I don’t feel that way. I love their passion.’”
Sometimes all that’s needed is blind passion and conviction to make a film, with Pacino making up for all the doubt expressed in the project through his sheer determination and love for the story of Tony Montana, despite the lack of approval from one of the people he looked up to the most.
