A sentence that I am fond of saying during 2022 is that I have watched Scarface for the first time. Not reflective of my opening, but this will not be a long-winded analysis of the widely acclaimed 1983 classic. This essay is to address a key section of crime dramas that hits with a formulaic precision regardless of the film, the third act. Relating to the eventual downfall of the characters/organization and twists that cement the finale is the movie’s strongest portion. Whether the gangster movie are classics like New Jack City or Goodfellas, the third act is where it counts. This is the period of the movie that cements its legacy because it illustrates how one can burn too bright.
Acts I and II’s Violent Path
The separation of the hybrid genre of crime drama and regular drama is the level of violence. This is not to demean other types of violence such as abuse or psychological harassment, but to set an indicator. On a civilian level, the concept of revenge is either a petty deed of annoying another person or a non-issue. Movie gangsters (and regular gangsters if we are being honest) use violence as a response rather than a last resort. The general rule is that any level of disrespect must be addressed to show the group’s/person’s level of strength. Decisions intended to work in favor of the gang’s rapid uprising.
“A gang is a group or society of associates, friends or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over territory in a community and engages, either individually or collectively, in illegal, and possibly violent, behavior.”
Wikipedia
To the viewer, excitement and gripping tension lie in how far the characters are willing to push the ante for their ambitions. These are criminals willing to use any method for their endgame by any means necessary. Will it be a raid on the opposition in a fiery gun battle? Or a show of psychological intimidation like a severed horse head or hanging a man from a helicopter? Shocking moments in crime drama movies are like explosions in action movies. Furthermore, depending on the main character and their supporters, the application of the violence can be shamefully captivating.
The Criminal Favorites
Unlike a former bullied protagonist, the protagonist for crime drama movies is naturally dynamic. They are characters that can possess hero-type qualities but are often overshadowed by their opportunistic and charismatic demeanor. The type of characters that focus on rising to the top with or without their posse at all costs. Criminals are depicted as evil, irredeemable entities on a hero’s journey being a force that needs to be stopped. Yet when you cast the main character as the unlawful protagonist, a strange empathy forms for their circumstances where you support that identical force. Understanding they are motives through the movie strangely has the audience rooting for the alleged filth of the story. It also does not help that they have the best quotes to shout verbatim out of context.
This flair also stems over to the supporting cast that enable the protagonist or be the voice of reason. Side characters are facets of the hero that flourish in most stories. The individuals that go through hardships and success with the protagonist need to be strongly written to survive the brunt of the plot. This ride-or-die element is an investment for viewers to see how far the supporting cast will go for their main actor. While the protagonist is charismatic in droves, they cannot accomplish their goal alone. In crime films the investment in the characters hinges on the outcome whether it be dead or alive.
Welcome to Act III
The final act is a period of tying up loose ends and a decisive battle/confrontation to end the hero’s arc. In crime dramas it turns into a relentless game of survival. The main character’s harrowing lifestyle is hastily gaining on them and can spell the downfall in a multitude fashion. An end thanks to a blood pumping shoot-out, or any horrific outcome that spells out doom for their hard-earned organization. Outside of the final act’s test of the protagonist’s endurance include the pieces of their established relationships.
The supporting cast that was built up during the movie are susceptible to the same game. They are either systematically killed for their association with the protagonist, betrayed, or committing betrayal. Their departure from the story effects the main character through increasing their paranoia through stressful mental and physical ways. In terms of betrayal, a side character selling out is common but still heart-wrenching for the hero. Otherwise, it can prove that the protagonist was correct all along but too late to prevent the result. Gangs may be a hardened group of outlaws, but family is still family.
The most compelling and rarest of endings for this hybrid genre is the character’s successful escape. Depending on the developments throughout the movie, you may want to see the protagonist get their just desserts. Especially if they killed or got their side character for trivial reasons, baseless suspicion or by accident. However, the escape conclusion is gratifying or upsetting all the same. Gratifying because if the hero in question had a sympathetic need to escape, then cutting them a break is acceptable. Alternatively upsetting because how could anyone let a monster like that walk free? Regardless, either feeling is overshadowed with the impressiveness of the protagonist being able to leave behind their hellish finale.
Conclusion
Gangster movies will always have their place in movie past and present. They show the violent extents of organized crime while showing different avenues of a criminal protagonist. Widely loved for their vibrant personality, all good crime lords are not without their loyal gang members. The money and flashiness that follows their path is appealing until the finale approaches with high stakes and too little pay off. A grisly end that can cost their empire and status through death, betrayal or leaving the life behind. The extent of what someone can do to reach their goals and to witness their downfall is fascinating as it is saddening.
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