Essay on Dream and Failure: the Legendary Film Classics
Despite the common stereotypes found in films, such as all sorts of happy ends, saving the world from invasions and disasters or miraculously surviving those, the superheroes and special agents demonstrating super powers and tricks, there are other interpretations of dreams and goals or missions the characters set for themselves. The bigger and smaller goals, steps,mistakes and failures together with the ways the characters handle those make the story behindthe film, in the opinion of some viewers. The others simply enjoy the special effects, the incredible stunts or horrors, and quickly forget what they were watching yesterday or sometime ago along with eating popcorn, texting or talking. Thus, some films come and go to be discarded as fast as the paper buckets that contain the popcorn. The others are remembered, cited and re-watched decades after they first appear at the movie theaters. They go through many reincarnations as sequels or inspire other film directors in their work.
The Bruised Face
Some even have interestingstories about their creation, like Rocky (1976),directed byJohn G. Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Burt Young, Joe Spinell. The life of Rocky Balboa, a Philadelphia boxer, is miserable anddisappointing, as even his trainer finally gives up on him and reproaches him for being nothingworthy but just working as a collector for a local criminal element Gazzo. When theHeavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed, comes to Philadelphia but his opponent fails to show up for the fight, it seems to be the only, one-in-a-million chance for Rocky to prove that he is still worth something by accepting the challenge. Likewise, Sylvester Stallone, whohad written the script for this film, went through misery, poverty and lots of rejections beforefinally finding a unique chance to see his script come alive with himself in the starring role. Hedidn’t get much money for it, but he made his dream come true and proved that he was a goodactor. In a similar way, Rocky Balboa didn’t win the fight, but he wasn’t defeated, either. In theeyes of the public and his beloved one, Adrian, he was the real champion.
The Scarface
Scarface (1983),directed by Brian DePalmaand starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, is often considered Al Pacino’s bestperformance. Tony Montana, a gangster and a drug dealer, also starts with nothing aiming atturning it into a significant something. The criminal way is certainly faster and effective thanhard work, but as much as some viewers may hate films involving drugs,murder,and violence,whowould not like to become rich quickly? “Scarface is one of those special movies, like “The Godfather,” that is willing to take a flawed, evil man and allow him to be human” (Ebert). Still, Tony Montana is a man who wants the world and knows no limits, so his end is sad, but besideslosing it all, he does not even ever seem to enjoy what he has, while he probably could. He dies because he uses cocaine. “Only a fool gets hooked on his own goods” (Ebert).
The Classics
Although Rocky and Scarface rarely make it to the top of the lists of greatest films to see,they both belong to the category of the cult classics that is not considered a separate genre, but if we assume that it can be viewed as such, we can establish certain criteria for it. First, there is amemorable story that moves the audience emotionally and is not overhauled with too manyspecial effects. Second, the story is realistic. Obviously, the good guys do not always win, andnot only the bad guys are killed or hurt because they deserve it. Not all criminals are some kind of Robin Hoods or superheroes striving for justice. Third, the background re-creates the spirit ofa certain era, a period of time or of a specific neighborhood, giving the viewer an authentic feeling of being present there. Finally, such films make the viewer think and change his perceptions of things. Both Rocky and Scarface meet these criteria.
Conclusion
Some cannot understand how people can possibly like such films and such characters as Tony Montana, since there is nothing good about him and he cannot be admired. However, it is not the outcomes and results achieved that impress the viewer, but the courage and determination of the main character to pursue his goals and ambitions. This is what makes Rocky and Tony Montana characters similar while seeming so different.Rocky and Scarface both belong to the category of the cult classics that is not considered a separate genre, but certain criteria among them can be easily established. They are provoking; make the reader want to want the film till the end and very engaging. Plus, they make the viewer think and change his perceptions of things.
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