Gangster psychology - SCARFACE - Tony Montana character analysis

[@collativelearning]

This vid is one of four that I did on Scarface. The others are listed on my site www.collativelearning.com/FILMS%20reviews%20BY%20ROB%20AGER.html (before responding to this pinned comment, if your comment is not a response to the pinned comment then post it separately, thanks)

[@brianbauer2595]

Your videos are so informative. I love watching them and learning about psychology. Thank you so much.

[@ShinobiShaman]

A very interesting analysis. That film is in my top 3 gangster movies of all time. I just watched it the other night actually. I don't know if you're aware of this, but that film is a remake of the 1932 Howard Hawk's Scarface. I'd like to see you do an analysis of that film. It's probably the most violent gangster movie of the 1930s. I appreciated the deleted scenes by the way. I've never seen those before. I'll definitely be checking out more of your content in the future. 👍

[@jamest1242r]

That laugh Michelle Phiefer did in the car wasn't supposed to happen. It was a real laugh. Many people said Al Pacino is funny as fuck. You wouldn't expect it but he have people on set crying laughing .

[@SavedSnake]

I tried to listen to your psychological break down, but honestly it just sounds like sensitive cuck criticism, and he says "FROM A FRIEND YOU FUCK".

[@bloodrunsclear]

You have your own comment bot that tries to scan people into thinking they've won a prize! You've really come up in the world :D

[@LetsPlayPC]

I've never really gotten the vibe that Tony is lusting after his sister. That's how Gina sees it in the end but when she confronts him in that scene he looks legitimately confused. I see it as more that he just wants to keep her "pure" and out of his world, but he also can't not spoil her with money, which he ultimately does. I see it as more of a surrogate father/daughter thing.

[@mentalmasochist935]

Hey man i agree. Apparently in the original one they hinted at that more

[@Cuspider]

It was definitely a plot point stressed in both movies. I think it speaks to the dangers of how some cultures place an unhealthy/obsessive duty on the males to protect the chastity of the females of their family.

[@sicSwine1994]

Me neither. He was just looking out for his sister, the only purity in his life.

[@moviearchaeologist9655]

@@mentalmasochist935 The original definitely hinted of that. 1930's Tony ripping a piece of his sister's dress off, exposing her bra.

[@jeffhobbs1729]

are you guys high?? its blantatly obvious in fact one of the few things i dont care for in the movie

[@MarkSashegyi]

So many people still criticize Pacino's accent in this film as being inauthentic, but it's actually explained in the opening scene when he's being questioned. He says his father used to take him to watch old American films "guys like Bogart, Cagney. They teach me to talk" so Pacino's mixing a Cuban accent with how criminals spoke in old 1930's-style gangster films, just like in 1932's Scarface.

[@SmartDave60]

Would a Cuban actor have been more authentic?

[@angel4everable]

Tony also says his father was American, "a Yankee, like you."

[@ms.ravenwood]

Delete this

[@lambda-m1676]

@@ms.ravenwood what

[@myboxingaccount6887]

Why do you still arguing with cubans or latinos lol. Even if that was the case in real life no cuban would talk like that

[@Se7enBeatleofDoom]

Scarface is the film that inspired a generation of gangster rappers that missed the point of the film's ending.

[@g5gfive434]

Your wrong Scarface was the underdog and a dope dealer and he managed to see and success that's why most gangsters and drug dealers idolize him they didn't miss the point they realized the point of another dog succeeding success

[@Thespeedrap]

What profits a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul.

[@gamleskalle1]

rappers are mindless idiots anyway

[@ron87SBP]

@@gamleskalle1 and you just broke dude on KZbin comments

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

@@g5gfive434 Where did all his fancy suits and coke use get him? A pine box before he reached his 40s. The true story is Tony managing to isolate and hurt those close to him, and being alone when he needed them the most.

[@Bulhakas]

The cut from the scene where Tony admires his sister trying on the dress at the shop to the scene where the portrait of him and his wife is unveiled shows us a deeper meaning meaning that that mentioned in the video. Notice how the dresses worn by the two women are identical in cut, but his sister's is white or off-white, a colour associated with purity and virginity, whereas his wife's is red, the colour of seduction and sex. The similar cut in dress establishes the link in desire between the two women from Tony's perspective, but their radically opposed symbolic colours tell us that he consumates that desire with his wife, but not with his sister, whom he sees as an immaculate virgin whom he violently tries to keep that way.

[@collativelearning]

Very interesting

[@QDesjardin04]

Because Tony's sister is one of the few vestiges of his innocence.

[@ivanperez295]

I agree with your interpretation, though it is undeniable there is a weird sexual element to his possessiveness over his sister. Perhaps it’s symbolic of his obsession over things he cannot have. Though she is always close to him, she is forever out of reach like everything else he desires.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

@@ivanperez295 Older brothers are naturally protective over their younger sisters, it has nothing to do with sex. This is why Tony looked at his sister confused when she offered herself to him right before she was shot near the end of the film.

[@rosemarytulip355]

Is that not an aspect from Hamlet?

[@xFlexz3D]

Al Pacino himself said he didn’t think Tony love his sister sexually. Oliver stone wanted to show how bad drugs really are and what scenario they could put you in, and how they can even make them even worse. If this theory is true then Oliver stone has some explaining to do.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

I don't think Tony was controlling her for sexual means, more so it went along with his constant obsession of being in control of EVERYTHING. They grew up without a father, so Tony clearly took on the male role and once he had _earned_ himself role of provider as well, he watched over his sister like an overbearing father... or like you can easily presume, husband.

[@charles_the_conqueror]

Oliver “Alabama “ stone

[@VeronicaV70]

@@pauliedibbs9028 nailed it. Father figure - but Collative tends to perceive every solution as a sick sexual fantasy... much like Freud. Not always the case. Tony's overprotective, overbearing, overreacting responses toward his sister had absolutely nothing to do with wanting to f**k her, none. You are correct.

[@NickOleksiakMusic]

Yeah, I took his protectiveness as patriarchal machismo.

[@skyjelly9790]

Yeah but some guy did a video essay on it so his interpretation of the movie is law now according to the internet.

[@SerMattzio]

I feel like Tony Montana is a lot like Tyler Durden. A lot of misaimed fandom thinking he's some sort of badass macho anti-hero when in reality the character is a lot more pathological and twisted.

[@collativelearning]

Yeah, I've known people who really looked up to TM, thinking he was a great rolemodel.

[@moviearchaeologist9655]

I personally find Tony's appeal quite similar to Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. Both of them are arseholes and I don't want to imitate them, but I really relate to both of these characters on some levels.

[@gamleskalle1]

TD much better role model winning coolest movie character ever in a film magazine some years ago.

[@PeacefulJoint]

I think you are misunderstanding. The pathological and twisted nature of these fictional characters is why we get drawn to them.

[@dash_r_media]

@@PeacefulJoint I think it's just the fact that they repeatedly get away with things in pursuit of their goals. In real life we are stymied much more often than not.

[@SlickOnTop]

Tony Montana's fall was just as quick as his rise.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

If you research most cocaine kingpins from the 80's, they quite nearly ALL followed the same fate...

[@sole__doubt]

In the real world the rise takes much longer than the fall for a criminal. It only takes one mistake to lose it all.

[@CarloisBuriedAlive]

My favorite moment in Scarface is when he says “that piece of shit, I never trusted him” and points up at the sky where he was just assassinated lol (imagine you were talking about someone you saw get hit by a car and when referring to him in conversation you point at the road lol)

[@cudaconv70]

Compared to politicians and the pharma lobby, Tony is a saint

[@lonewanderer4207]

Convid was an inside job. The jabs are poison.

[@54blewis]

And the Nestle company is a downright cartel…

[@illwitness]

Saint Montana. Patron Saint of Cocaine, lol!

[@rianmacdonald9454]

Under rated comment. classic. you deserve a few million likes for that gem.

[@VeronicaV70]

coming from a screenname/handle named "Demon."

[@themoviebuff6196]

I see Scarface as a character study of the obsession of pursuing the American Dream which to most people is wealth, power and status by any means necessary. Tony Montana is an example of someone who attains the American Dream the wrong way and ends up paying the price heavily. He loses his family, best friend, his wife, his empire and ultimately himself in one night. His rapid fall from grace symbolises how someone can lose it all in a quick second. If they make the wrong moves.

[@darrenjohnson7857]

Tony is the hero ,he was always the good guy "whoever he killed had it coming "/he befriends Sosa&when tony needs help.Sosa has a job for him ,tony kills Alberto the hitman because he refused to kill women and children ;what Sosa wants to display his dark powers by killing a family in front of the U.N&he knew Omar had something to do with the scam at Sun-Ray hotel & he just said "omar is okay " /it was a set up by omar and Omar was a snitch on early 70s NYC,when cocaine invaded NYC with help of colombian gangs,tony was dirt poor and afraid in hotel ,he spit in the face off his oppressors (HE HAD HONOR) *He could not give away money that was not his.

[@ehhtubrutus9444]

i think its more so there is no american dream and when you get to any height there is always more that cant be achieved and that through capitalism that cycle will demonstrably continue till you can longer climb and you fall apart from weight of it all while others below you suffer cause they didnt "try" as hard. so the system only "benefits" those climbing but everyone has their limits, we are human, not machines.

[@darrenjohnson7857]

@@ehhtubrutus9444 It spoke to elitism and american corruption from within .Sosa had a red phone to hook up calls from FEDS/CIA in America ,omar was a snitch and frank lopez snitched to bernstein about Rebenga hit&coke score at Sunray motel /once in the life you never talk about an "action " or "piece of work " after job is done,that was enough for tony to have frank killed . America created and nurtured Sosa.

[@themoviebuff6196]

@@ehhtubrutus9444 Interesting analysis! So basically the perceived pursuit of happiness is never ending.

[@mcmurphy809]

It’s inspired by the Cuban crime wave that happened in the early 80s. Like most people you are overthinking this overrated piece of trash movie

[@KajiCarson]

Personality will go a long way and this movie has tons of it! On a slightly different note, an actor and beauty queen used in the early beach part of the movie, Tammy Lynn Leppert, disappeared shortly after filming her scene, and was never found. She was 18. There are real psychopaths out there.

[@yaboydolphin]

holy shit...

[@WhiteChocolate74]

Yeah I've heard all about that case before. Crazy

[@gabork5055]

Knowing about the sorts of things going in in the Hollywood film industry are you even surprized about that?

[@jillvalentinefan77]

Anybody ever find out what happened to her ?

[@WhiteChocolate74]

@@jillvalentinefan77 still unsolved

[@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari]

I don’t agree that Tony sexually desired his sister at all. He’s definitely controlling and possessive with her, but I think that’s more maternal. I think it’s more that she’s the last remaining thing in his life that he sees as completely pure and innocent, so he wants to keep her as far away from anything relating to the dirtier, more immoral parts of his life as he can. And gets angry when he sees her with people that he doesn’t think are good enough for her. I think’s she’s just the one confusing his maternal feelings for sexual desire.

[@n.b.l.5709]

Exactly, she lost it when he killed manolo, probably not knowing that Tony didn't want manolo for her and told Manolo don't f with my sister, cuz manolo is a bad guy like him, she didn't understand why Tony got at guy at the club in the bathroom, cuz he was a bad guy too low level as well, and there she is about to f him in a toilet room smh 🤦 So to her fragmented lost it mind and trauma to shock of the act and seeing such violence she snapped and assumed oh Tony wants me for himself...even a high coked up Tony was like wtf r u talking about...

[@josephwhitfield3122]

@@n.b.l.5709 I think it was both. I believe there was a part of Tony that genuinely cared for his sister but there was also that other side. Especially if you look at the film in it’s entirety. It makes a point to point out his relationship with woman on multiple levels. He is inadequate but clearly longs for the affection of the opposite sex. Gina all grown and up and beautiful facilitates that deep longing for female attention and interaction on some level and it seems Tony couldn’t properly reconcile the two emotions/feelings. Which more thoroughly explains why in multiple scenes he has very explosive reactions when it pertains to Gina and other men. And it perfectly concluded along with other motifs with the killing of Manolo(good looking ladies man, Tony’s foil character).

[@n.b.l.5709]

@@josephwhitfield3122 ur reading way too into it, he was just very protective of his sister, he didn't want her incestually at all. So u wouldn't explode ur younger sister if u caught her going to the bathroom with a dude at a club u frequent to fuck or so in the bathroom, on or next to a toilet ? Than u dont know latino men or family values 2. Your best bud is the one that got u pinched thru his connection, when u call to see how he's handling being boss while ur gone, they tell u, he's been missing, out, than they tell u ur mom been saying the same of ur sister 3. U still don't add em up but later u find out, he ur best bud been bangin ur sister and everything even married her when u told em to stay from her and why and also told her not to get involved with people in that crime world n business, so utterly betrayed....yup manolo had it coming there

[@n.b.l.5709]

@@chocolatecosmos1424 exactly!!! And he even told Monolo, SHE NOT FOR YOU MANNY!!! She not fot you! Olvide eso....and between such a latino as tony, that is not to be broken...that can cost ut life, which it did, for monolo, also he was sloppy n sneaky with it, he left leader post while tony was away, thus plowing tonys sister behind his back while tony was taking a mission to erase the debacle monolo got him in in the first place...he should've told tony straight up, but nope, tony comes back and surprise, buster him, riled up already by the assassination mission, monolo missing his sister missing his mother, boss sosa chewing him out n elvida too smh...and than bamm oh u been the one bangin taking away my sister n not watching the fort either while i wws gone...f u snake

[@_RobBanks]

dont you mean paternal? tony has a penis.

[@nr655321]

Don't forget that the movie is structured like an opera.

[@yaboydolphin]

Elvira's dancing in the nightclub gets me every time

[@gamingflixx]

Cant believe you didn’t mention that Scarface (1983) is a remake of the Howard Hughes film of the same name (1932). That’s why the 1983 film end with a shootout because the 1932 one did, albeit not as bombastic.

[@w.jasonspangler2952]

I’ve never taken the Tony and Gina thing as “incest”. I know so people have said that over the years and I’ve honestly watched this movie watching out for this romantic idea between him and his sister. I saw it more as a fucked-up Father figure transformation. As in maybe their father was weird and abusive or something and Tony turns into a version of him when he’s around Gina.

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

Yes agreed, Elvira is just in it for the money. Tony kills Frank, and she immediately goes with him, no remorse. But back to their first meeting, she seems miserable, bored and boring, and definitely seems like an emotionless gold digger. If you have a regular job, in a regular house, with everything you need to survive and have a happy family, she wouldn't even lol twice at you.

[@romans52345-cy3tq]

Yeah ok...money is everything

[@MamoMark]

A lot of kids in my school that had a proclivity for gangs, really held Tony Montana/Scarface in high regards; It's a bit reminiscent of how Tony views Bogart/Sierra Madre.

[@WHIPLASHVideosTBT]

21:50 what do you mean? Of course there was a tactical advantage to referring to Angel as his brother. They would've been more inclined to honour Tony's wish to leave the door open thinking Angel was kin rather than just a random friend/associate. From the other guy's pov it's gonna look more obvious that they're up to something bogus with Tony if they won't let his 'brother' see what's going on with the deal.

[@pointysidedown]

It also makes angel appear more valuable to Tony, from the other guys pov. Torturing a brother is worse than torturing a friend

[@WHIPLASHVideosTBT]

@@pointysidedown good point

[@davidlean1060]

@@pointysidedown It also gives the impression that Angel is Tony's most trusted back up. The Colombian is fine with leaving the door open because he thinks Tony and this rather scared looking guy are all he has to deal with.

[@onecoolcat2478]

I love the poster. He is sad, angry, frustrated - all at once

[@flibber123]

I think the main appeal of this character to some people is that he came from nothing and clawed his way to the top. But I think a secondary appeal, that many people might not even realize they are responding to, is that he messes it all up. I think most people who are not born into wealth understand that if they were to somehow come into a lot of money, they'd squander it and wind up broke again. Who can't relate to that? How many of us know that if we won a million dollars in the lottery, we would wind up in exactly the same position we started in? Tony's story is a depiction of that. Sure, becoming rich is great but what happens to a guy like Tony AFTER he reaches the top? That's why this kind of story can't end with him transitioning to a legal life and living out his days in relative comfort. It wouldn't ring true to the audience. Regarding his sister, I think she represents a kind of woman Tony can't have- non criminal, not for sale. His wife is the opposite. She's something guys like Frank and Tony buy like they'd buy an expensive car. I think that's why he desires her and why he's obsessed with keeping her pure and innocent. There is no other woman like that in his life and most likely never would be, given his lifestyle. Tony kills his friend because from Tony's point of view, his friend ruined the ONE good thing in Tony's life.

[@rianmacdonald9454]

The biggest lesson that should be learnt from this film - DO NOT GET HIGH FROM YOUR OWN SUPPLY.

[@LetsPlayPC]

So much stuff to notice in this movie -- in the negotiation scene with Sosa, Tony is wearing the exact same outfit as Frank when Manny kills Frank. Red shirt, white suit, red pocket square. And Frank gets shot in the red pocket square . They might as well have splattered blood on Frank to start the scene.

[@donavonhoward114]

I don't think Tony was ever sexually attracted to his sister. I only think Gina say's that in the end because she cannot contemplate Tony's intentions, especially after killing his most trusted friend, his partner in crime, and Gina's brand new husband. It's the only logical conclusion she can fathom for Tony's actions, but Tony is not a logical person emotionally, or morally. Tony reacts to killing his most trusted friend as if he is almost dead inside, confused, and regretful of his actions, but he is incapable of controlling himself, and his rage. He would rather live in misery, and guilt than allow his sister to live her life as an adult. When Gina walks in on him, and starts insinuating that he is sexually obsessed with her, Tony is confused, and shocked. Tony is just so overprotective, and controlling to the people he loves most, that he eventually smothers them, and causes them more pain and misery. He's a walking time bomb, and an uncontrollable force of nature wrecking everything in it's path. In Tony's mind, Gina was always his kid sister. In life it is necessary to let people live, learn, and make mistakes on their own, even if we disagree with their choices. That's how we grow into adulthood as human beings, but Tony can't even contemplate his little sister growing into a mature woman with a life, and will of her own. He must protect her, even if he has to lock her up.

[@pandakicker1]

@jpssteveshanahan9572Ahhh shit I can relate to that a little too much…

[@pandakicker1]

I totally agree. He saw her as his baby sister and princess like he was standing in for their father that they never really had. Overprotective fathers also do things like that (usually to much less extremes), but that doesn’t mean they want to do their daughters. It means they want their babies to be innocent and pure forever until they find the one who truly loves them.

[@nbarealtalker]

I’ve always been interested in making the case for why Scarface was actually a good movie. I love films that are over the top and absurd but simultaneously channel true human conflict. Tony is a great character study in how we can learn to love a bad guy if he shows us he won’t cross certain lines.

[@katskillz]

love the bad guy? I doubt that was the point at all. Tony was an archetype of sordid corrupt undercurrents in American society. Namely the gangster "gimme" mentality that taking advantage of amazing opportunities = pursuing excess to the point of destroying other lives and eventually yourself. What qualities of this character makes him loveable exactly? Admirable? Because he won't kill kids? Ok but that's a helluva low bar to sympathize with a thug.

[@NoLimitMonty]

⁠​⁠@@katskillzyou can easily admire his will to get to the top from coming from nothing. You can take different pieces of the movie and admire his or love his character. I don’t necessarily disagree with you but I think your just looking at the big pictur

[@fwwaller]

I always assumed the reason Tony was so overprotective of Gina was because their dad sexually abused her or something and that left him traumatized, which is why he didn’t want to see her with any man, like maybe he was the only one who stood up to their father

[@badgirlhollywood9741]

Nah you don’t have to be traumatized to be protective of someone younger than you.

[@fwwaller]

@ i mean to be that protective though?

[@badgirlhollywood9741]

@@fwwaller Think. Manny was a womanizer. Would you want your kid sister dating your right hand criminal man? I think not. If I was a gang banger and my criminal partner (let’s say he’s a man) had it for my little sister I would have done worse. That’s a lot of disrespect. Tony wanted to protect Gina he said “my kid sister working in a beauty parlor” as in he found that denigrating. He felt Manny wasn’t good enough. Also the bathroom incident goes without saying some men would have killed that man for that.

[@fwwaller]

@ Tony doesn’t want to see her with any man, thats the thing, when he’s at the club he sees her getting comfy with a guy who’s not really doing anything bad and just goes ballistic

[@badgirlhollywood9741]

@@fwwaller no he was about to bang his kid sister in a bathroom. I would’ve beat the guys ass too. Watch the movie again. I don’t think that he had any incestuous tendencies. I think that people are looking for it where it is not change the gender if he were a woman and could fight the character would have beat The Man up in the restroom as well. That is gross.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

A film I've always 'liked' but never thought of as meaningful or having much depth. Thanks Rob for showing me the layers and nuances throughout Scarface, I will rewatch it with more appreciation this time. Hope to see more content soon.

[@nr655321]

The sheer length (3h!) of the movie should have been enough to make you suspect that the movie wasn't just some cheap mob flick though.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

@@nr655321 All of the gangster wannabes and rap culture wisdom had me thinking it was little more than a mix of cautionary tale and drug dealer manifesto, albeit a very stylish and entertaining one. That and the usual round of witless reviews by mainstream critics formed my then-dismissive view.

[@mcmurphy809]

It’s just a terrible overrated movie, bad editing, bad directing, bad cinematography, bad writing, bad movie. It’s Brian de Palma, all his movies are trash. Pacino and his character carried that movie, if you took Pacino out of the equation you would have a smoking pile of shit. Some idiot KZbinr overthinking and reaching doesn’t magically make Scarface good, it’s trash.

[@mcmurphy809]

@@nr655321 what a pee brain comment

[@Jpro2000]

@@mcmurphy809 you sound mad bc of how good it is lol. Irish once again jealous of Italians. The cinematography in the end scene is masterful and Brian de Palma is a legend.

[@gambuf]

New Rob Ager video always a good and thoughtful gift

[@samrunsads]

You may think that this was just another analysis video, but this changed my life. I don't think you believe in a God, but I do, and I really believe that he used this to speak to me. I've spent so many years pursuing "success" as a means of feeling good enough to be wanted by a woman, and have had no fun and lost my passion while doing it. I've done really well, but realized that the last time I watched Scarface (a few weeks ago) I was cheering for Tony and actually thought I was learning something about the need for grit, balls, and getting what you want out of life by demanding it. I failed to see the much bigger picture or the levels and nuances of his character flaws and what's really going on in this movie, and that he actually always wanted to be like Manny. Watching this video and digesting those truths helped me re-evaluate my life and my goals. I can still have ambitions and things I want to do, but I choose to no longer do them to validate myself. I know I'm good enough already, I love people and that's what matters most, and if I do something it's no longer going to be for the same reasons it was before. I've watched your videos for at least a year now, and this one on this day just hit so much different. Thank you. I love your work. You are amazing.

[@Einnor084]

I like ur comment. I slightly disagree wit our KZbinr, here. I posted a long comment, BUTT u never know if ur commentz can survive SINsorship, on current social media, plat4mz. N my comment, I basically told our KZbinr, dat Tony wuz a VERY pre Federal Reserve, banking cartel shitstem, typa guy. N da 1800z, it wuz VERY mportant 2 men, 2 acquire wealth, b4 thinking of supporting a wife & children! 2day, da banksta gangsta FUNded elitez, have ntroduced Feminism n2 da American social strata. There4 WOmen, can make unwise dcisionz, about their sexlife & they often do! Old world, 1800 men, asked parentz, 4 their daughterz hand n marriage. They didn't just c da young WOman ( Called a teenager, since da 1950z. ) & strive 2 have sex wit her! Sure sum men, still strive 2 b economically viable, b4 marriage & if dat wuz whut u were doing, I applaud u! WOmen do not have 2 b azz thoughtful/responsible, azz men. Itz 1 of da perkz of Feminism. U git 2 call ur shotz, azz a WOman, & nobody really blamez u 4 da horrible outcomez u have brought upon urself. If a man triez 2 sire children, wit, or without proper economic foundation, he iz dmonized by da American Family Court shitstem. U CAN'T WIN!!! Ur hypothosis - dat u should try 2 njoy ur life, rich or poor....... I have nuthin against dat mentality! I just wanta assure u, dat ur previous lifestyle choicez, were not TOTALLY without merit! I WISH U, THE BEST!

[@Holytrinitybelievers]

I agree with you brother I also believe in God and I had the same feeling watching this, stumbling across your comment confirms it even more so. Tony reminds me of a “friend”who I no longer deem as one havent really for a long time was never true a friend but do due to recent circumstances it’s made me open my eyes fully God bless and take care bro

[@CappuccinoTX]

@@Einnor084 haha why do you type like that though?

[@Einnor084]

@@CappuccinoTX From da country Rondaristinioplistaca. Engrish, my 22nd language & scurred of SINsorship, azz well.

[@CappuccinoTX]

@@Einnor084 that makes sense,

[@bloodrunsclear]

It's interesting how they remade the 1932 original Scarface but kept the themes intact. The conclusion with 'The World Is Yours' is a direct reference to the irony of big shots believing they can have it all...but getting it all taken from them in death. It's a lot like Barry Lyndon in many ways.

[@Jack-qv8qc]

I'd say the "Brother" line could be seen as the excuse for wanting the door left open as almost everyone can understand siblings be very protective of one another.

[@_scabs6669]

yeah. Then it backfires on him. They decide to kill the friend as a means of getting to him, because, as you say, supposed siblings and their love for each other. Lost a partner because of his own lies.

[@gustavoalmanza2673]

@@_scabs6669 nah they were gonna kill either one of them with a chainsaw regardless. Cuz come on, why else would they have it?

[@brentcampbell6788]

I heard a cool theory that Tony used the word brother so that the Colombians would think they had leverage for a hostage situation, so that at least he himself would survive

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

So you have to admit that after viewing this film and taking a closer look, it's definitely a definite classic, and had great acting, and was as raw and real as it gets. Especially the location, Miami.

[@NewGrow-kb1bg]

The world is yours sums it up. Most people assume the literal meaning: like the world belongs to you. But it’s a double entendre. It really means “you make the world you live in.” And the interesting part: is most people don’t see this, which is the exact thing that gets tony killed. Furthermore: it’s a statement on power itself: where tony(and the fans that admire him) see power as a means of controlling the world, meaning they are constantly at war with outside forces and with reality itself while understanding that you make the world you live in is to first accept your current reality and what is and what is not yours to control. that is truly empowering, and true power. It is almost as if tony is a slave to the very concept of power itself, and all it entails. which is the ultimate irony. You hit it on the head with surrealism. The 2nd half is tony literally at war with reality itself. He can’t accept the world he lives in. He can’t accept his sister and gino, can’t accept his reality in the drug trade resulting in him trying to make some insane moral equivalency, can’t accept his status as an immigrant resulting in pursuance of material goods(which includes his wife), can’t accept a woman who would be good for him. He can’t accept he killed his sister and acts like she is still alive. In the end scene , he can’t even accept his own death. Him standing after being shot so many times is meant to be surreal, it is tony denying death itself, the ultimate denial of reality. His entire existence in the second half especially is denying the world he lives in is his. There’s many scenes, like the scene of tony in the bathtub or at dinner where he freaks out, where he quite literally says “this world is not mine”. When he’s saying “I’m not the bad guy, you guys are” he is denying responsibility. He’s saying “this is not my world, it’s everyone else’s don’t blame me, I didn’t make the rules I’m just along for the ride”. It’s at this point , Tony’s fate is sealed. Whatever power he came to usa with is now gone. And we can see it all breakdown resulting in the climactic scene showing the result of the world he made Through this lense, it becomes a very powerful film with implications for anything involving power; not just drugs, but business and government as well. The film itself is such a strong experience it takes a few viewings to look past the glitz drugs and violence and see it for what it really is: a statement on the irony of 80s values usa as a whole.

[@_scabs6669]

you make a very keen point which I'll have to think about more. If you're constantly trying to gain power, to own the world, you will ultimately fail, and on the way up, people will look at you as a conceited a**hole. But if you realize that the world you perceive, your perception of reality, already belongs to you, then you have an immense power over everybody else already. Then on the way up, they're not looking down on you, they're a little terrified of you. And then whether you make it "to the top" or not, you've already won.

[@Schizo66651]

Amazing comment.

[@rafaelfiallo4123]

It's subtle, but if you look at the scene where Tony is showing off the tiger, the only 2 guests missing are Manny and Gina, it's assumed they are having sex somewhere in Tony's mansion while everyone else is at the party.

[@gdirty7380]

as a kid watching this, i was confused about the tony and gina situation.. as an adult, i came to understand what it was. their father wasnt around clearly. and as the man of the family, if you will, tony took on the paternal ( not maternal as someone else said and noone corrected it lol) role of being an overprotective self appointed guardian of her. tony knew what his type of life would bring his sister if she messed around with guys like him. i mean shit just the fact that she was his sister, ultimately associating with guys like him ( him specifically) brought about her demise. he didnt think it would be because of him, but his obsession with protecting her is what caused it. he didnt kill manny for " stealing his sister from him", he killed manny because manny betrayed his trust. and the coke didnt help. and the last scene with gina being alive.. i dont know how many of you have done drugs.. and for the ones that have, i dont know how many have gone on binges.. but that shit causes paranoia and all kinds of shit. that would explain gina confusing tonys protection of her with him wanting to fuck her. i associate it with a child saying some fucked up shit to a parent theyre pissed off at, except this is a brother/sister combo that are coked out of their minds with imminent death ahead of them. im pretty sure tony even said that she was the only thing that was pure in his life. i feel like in his mind, as soon as she turned to the darkside, he had nothing left of legitimacy in his life. she started there with the coke dude in the bathroom, and kinda of finished it off with marrying an equal scumbag of his right hand man, behind his back. and then... " fuck me tony!" she was done by that point

[@sharkinator7819]

You could argue that the moral of the story is to not take the easy way out. Tony could have easily found honest work and with more patience and a willingness to not turn to crime, he could have had a significantly happier ending

[@clairestark9024]

7:11 this isn't strictly speaking true. Tony's behavoir prior to this scene implies a deep sense of self loathing and disgust over the murder of a good man to save his skin even if he's reluctantly going along with it. Its actually an interesting indication that were approaching the limit of what Tony is willing to do

[@KidFresh71]

How can you bag on the ending of Scarface? "Say 'Hello' to my lil' friend!!" is a top-10 iconic movie line of all time.

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

I knew that line before I even knew anything about the movie. 😂

[@billywiththebulgingbaloonb5105]

I always interpreted Tonys restaurant outburst as him lashing out at the hypocrisy of the one percent. They buy his products which makes him as rich as them, but they will never accept him as one of them because of his hispanic ethnicity and the stigma of his criminality.

[@stevehill934]

Great take. I agree

[@rx.78]

I agree for the most part though I will admit him being Hispanic likely has little to do with it. Its very likely entirely down to him being a criminal. The people at the restaurant don't really pay him any mind until he starts yelling at Elvira and starting a scene. Not for nothing but there are basically 2 drug addicts loudly fighting in a fancy restaurant and Tony is clearly not thinking straight that entire scene given how he can barely stand up without support. He's very likely both drunk and high. Tbh while I think it's possible Tony was angry at the fact he'd never be included in "high society" frankly Tony was lashing out at anyone and everyone in the vicinity including manny. Tony was a mess by that point.

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

The brother saying was not a mistake. He was in Tony's crew, which at the time was Manny, ChiChi, Angel and Tony. They all had each other's backs, shared each other's dreams, and all helped on the hit that got them IDs and green cards into the USA. They were brotherhood. Just like in gangs, you're in a family, you're a brother.

[@allknowerofwwetna1]

You're one of the best channels on KZbin. Look forward to every release. Thank you.

[@fucksampleclearance2106]

Anytime Rob Ager uploads, I stop and watch!

[@CrisisHotline]

This goes hard Rob, love it

[@chrisallen9743]

When he walks out onto his balcony and it shows the tiger (representative of his wife) the entire lawn is clad in darkness, and in the distance, is a little lit area where the tiger is visible. Symbolism of how far away and seperated he is from his wife. A nice touch IMO. Thanks for uploading this.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

Don't forget the Tigers on his (red) Hawaiin shirt during the Colombian coke scene.... They are hard to see, but if you look closely at a hi-res image/footage from the scene they are there. There definitely seems to be many references to animals throughout the film, now that I notice... Monkeys, tigers, pelicans, pigs, lizards, etc etc

[@gangk.4050]

I think what made Tony so badass was that he was really ambitious and never took shit from anyone. And anything he wanted he wouldn’t ask for it he would just take it. Which are masculine attributes that I think every man can admire and has in him or wishes too.

[@CharleneOrtizTraining]

To this day Michelle Phifer is still stunning.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

If you're a sap like me, you might enjoy Al and Michelle in "Frankie & Johnny" ....

[@12ealDealOfficial]

Al is so good in this film that I don't even see the actor in the role. Loved your analysis.

[@bingflosby]

I don’t like most gangster movies because they spend to much time glamorizing the lifestyle but movies like this actually show how horrific the lifestyle actually is in reality

[@ronofthesea5953]

Angel is only his brother as far as the Colombians are concerned, in the 'We Cuban, you not' kind of way. The Colombian running his end of the deal would understand that particular usage of "brother". I disagree that Tony has any sexual feelings for his sister. I always thought she represented the only innocence left about him therefore the guys from his gang/business/lifestyle aren't fit to date her. Those guys were chased off and/or killed because they would sully that innocence. His family was included in the film to show the one humane trait about him. When she taunts Tony with "why don't YOU f#

[@davelister1]

This movie is a classic! Just difficult to swallow, accept no imitations. Just because it's been meemed to death does not mean it is not good. The scar is a scar on his character not on his face but on the system that makes people think and behave this way

[@billvegas8146]

Critics watch movies in screening rooms with other critics. I think it can cloud their judgement. I saw the movie on opening night in a downtown Boston theater with a predominately Black audience. That audience absolutely loved Scarface. Every bit of it. I agreed with them. A stone cold gangster classic that many critics got wrong.

[@Kyle_Riel]

But your judgment is infallible in an also highly suggestive screening?

[@noemiszekely7369]

This pisses me off, he never showed that he wanted anything immoral with his sister!!! He's protective

[@pandakicker1]

I totally agree!

[@naomisoze2862]

Real Talk…

[@Supremmo]

I didn't get all that with Tony and Gina. I just saw him as an overprotective big brother who wanted to shield his sister from the very elements of the underworld he does business with.

[@victordomingoakabigfuentes9646]

Ive never held this movie in high regard until now…THIS was awesome…

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

Dressed to Kill isn't forgotten. I think it's one of De Palma's best films. I like watching it as a double feature with Blow Out, which I think is De Palma's masterpiece.

[@DocSportello838]

I prefer Antonioni's version of blow out

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

@@DocSportello838 You're thinking of Blow Up.

[@johnrockwell5834]

Tony Montana wasn't as ruthless and immoral as Sosa wanted him to be. Leading to his downfall.

[@oblivious108]

Thanks for the video, Rob. Just saw this movie the other day and was pleasantly surprised you uploaded this video. Great food for thought.

[@BrysontheeTV]

I like how you mentioned when he snorts a line of coke and he drops his guard and shows his desperation. I'm sure many men can think of a Time where they drop their guard due to some inhibition. This moment really made me rethink the times that I may have been a bit too thirsty for a woman.

[@gerry2217]

If you haven’t you should break down Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in training day. Great video

[@calicops951]

did you notice that her glasses are Cat-Eye style? I believe that was the actual name of those frame.

[@collativelearning]

Missed that somehow, but now that you mention it ... and she went on to play catwoman

[@calicops951]

@@collativelearning Very good Sir. I am a GREAT admirer of your work, and I have made a few purchases of your videos. I am so grateful you have chosen this endeavor. Cheers!

[@Just_lift_anyone]

7:37 as a fellow Scouser you forgot your Scouse accent there, "abaa it'" 🤣 seriously though love your take on these films, one of my favourite channels on KZbin!

[@ccfliege]

damn I never even thought of the tiger at the wedding thing while its perfectly obvious. Really good Rob, as always

[@farside8625]

Something I've noticed, the line is "First you get the money then you get the power then you get the woman." But on all the posters and elsewhere it's quoted as "Money, power, respect."

[@pussthepupanddonkeythedog5135]

And yet he lost all the love and respect from everyone around him.

[@RizztrainingOrder]

Infinitely interesting, great introspection on a fantastic movie!

[@aaaatttt101]

I'm sure i saw/read an interview with De Palma and he said the closing scene was viewed from Tony's ego rather a realistic one

[@collativelearning]

Sounds about right.

[@aaaatttt101]

@@collativelearning It certainly seems to make sense when you consider the bullets from all the henchmen can't kill him, but it takes the sneaky "cockroach" shooting him in the back and the huge sign at the end displaying a principal that he could never achieve (everything or nothing) and would have to die by as he collapses into it's waterfall.

[@brendancronin3796]

Yeah that makes sense ...it makes you question the view of the film .Whose eyes are we seeing the film through

[@coinraker6497]

Must have been about the assassin's ego as well. The way he calmly walks up behind Tony while a dozen guys fire automatic weapons up at him, not worried in the least about being hit by stray bullets. All while wearing sunglasses at night. 🤣

[@laflame5806]

@@coinraker6497 😎

[@JesusGanga]

"when you gonna have another tony to take your place" "I'm working on it" "there's a lot of Albertos you know, we do it next month" have such depth in these lines.

[@pyrascheme]

I think the last scene of Scarface is more of a representation of the overall chaos within Tony's mind. It could almost be equal so a fever dream, everything in the last scene plays out like a weird manifestation of Tony's spiraling mind. Almost wouldn't be surprised if all the people Tony killed were merely illusions of his conscious and he was just shooting at 2 or 3 people while Terminator slowly approaches to kill Tony.

[@robertbusek30]

Maybe all of them were mere figments of his imagination except the guy who killed him…

[@aeris2001]

exactly

[@KwangTheMongrel]

I feel like one interpretation about them at the beach is that they’re not in Florida for the beach. If it was about natural paradises they’d still be in Cuba.

[@collativelearning]

Good point

[@ToeKnife166]

Tony expressed his wish to have children but he also chose a woman who wouldn’t be a good mother and eventually couldn’t give him children. I think he knew him having children would be a disaster.

[@Maggerama]

Ahaha, calling Tony a "small-time punk" oughtta rough some feathers! Absolutely loved your take.

[@robertbusek30]

Tony is “small time.” His meteoric rise to power and wealth means that he never had to have the discipline of a truly successful criminal like Vito Corleone. Tony is like Henry Hill at the end of Goodfellas talking about how he would steal money and then blow it all at once, then steal some more.

[@randobgaming]

I've heard everyone say the dynamic between Tony and Gina was weird, but you're the first person I've ever heard make this point. Definitely nailed it👏👏

[@pandakicker1]

If you’ve never tasted that forbidden fruit, you would be easily fooled by overprotectiveness. There’s a difference.

[@christophermirkovich7290]

You are a GOOD EGG Mr AGER

[@kevins8071]

Great content as always Rob. I don’t know if your familiar with the Scarface video game from back in the PS2/Xbox era. The game starts out with the shootout from the end of the movie, but in the game you manage to escape and have to rebuild your empire. Very GTA like open world game, which I find ironic because so much wink and nod to the Scarface movie is littered throughout the GTA games.

[@tgd02]

vice city is a masterpiece and clearly influenced by this movie

[@principe_de_plata489]

This is one of the few movies I watch every year. Even when I saw it the first time I always wondered due to Tony being who he is if he was unable to "perform" for the ladies in the bedroom which adds to his anger/rage. Id imagine all the smoking,drinking, and drug abuse wouldn't help on top of that during the dinner scene he is leaned at an angle where he looks fatter and even says he's got tits and needs a bra. Not to mention the famous say hello to my little friend scene and the way he holds his "gun" before blowing up the door. That's just something I always wondered about the character.

[@rianmacdonald9454]

Nah - no issue's there at all.

[@CappuccinoTX]

@@rianmacdonald9454 how would you know

[@rocfella]

only... the world needs people who speak from the heart, like character Tony.

[@callumfitzpatrick1989]

These breakdowns of movie scenes are the only thing interesting enough on KZbin for me not to need weed whilst watching it.

[@moviearchaeologist9655]

Never mind cocaine 🙂

[@callumfitzpatrick1989]

@@moviearchaeologist9655 haha and a beer or two lol

[@iyona14granturismogt6gtspo7]

Wow!! I never knew Tony wore the same suit as Frank!!! I'm 50 years old,amazing insight, thank you.

[@RockySamson]

The thing about Tony’s affection towards his sister and why the connection comes off as vaguely incestual is because, while it is true that Tony has a familial love for his sister and sees her as pure, he also idealized her which may have stirred feelings within him he would never acknowledge. Elvira was the trophy wife, a status symbol for Tony, but Gina represented the perfect woman in Tony’s eyes, and one that symbolized an idealistic domestic life that Tony could never have with the lifestyle he chose, but longed for regardless. After Elvira leaves and Tony kills Manny, he doesn’t return Gina home, much to her surprise and dismay. He takes her to his place and keeps her there, symbolically replacing Elvira. When Gina comes at Tony and confronts him, Tony’s surprise isn’t just from her actions, but it’s also from being faced with the reality of what he was doing all along. People who think Tony didn’t lust after his sister share this same reaction when confronted with the reality that he probably did on a subconscious level, because even when faced with who he is and what he’s done, Tony could never admit the truth of his actions to himself even if it killed him, which in the end, it did. Edit: One additional detail that may be potentially relevant is the tiger metaphor. The tiger cry heard when Tony is on the balcony could represent Elvira being on his mind, but it may also represent Gina’s cries given that, in that moment, she’s Tony’s currently new caged animal.

[@thelastnotary]

when he goes from going crazy on the phone to snorting coke, I was just listening and thought you inserted a laugh track. But hearing that laugh after Tony throws that Tantrum tells me so much about myself

[@holdingpattern245]

I have a pet theory that Tony is partially inspired by Martin Scorsese, who the director knows personally. Scorsese came from a poor immigrant background, is very emotionally driven and ambitious and by some accounts slightly impetuous and ruthless, and early in his life and career he had a few short-lived and troubled marriages and a near-fatal cocaine habit. I think there is an early scene where Tony mentions being influenced by movies he saw as a very young child, which is very true of Scorsese as well, possibly a little hint there.

[@jessicapinkman-hd4bw]

that's concerning

[@kaiseralexander4968]

Cool channel, love your in depth commentary. Just subbed, I'll be checking the rest of your videos.

[@MustafaKulle]

Brilliant analysis, Rob. Thank you.

[@playboymaxim]

I have seen a lot of Tony Montana character analysis videos; your insight is the one I most agree with. Well done.

[@gorequillnachovidal]

one of the best movies ever made

[@igormorais4192]

I prefer for all stuff to be pointed out. Oftentimes you see stuff is never have seen otherwise and have never heard of elsewhere

[@darinlunderman8063]

You know, now that I think about it, Tony may have hung around with Manny because Manny represented parts of himself that Tony wished he had. Charisma, friendship, love, and happiness; the genuine, good emotions in life. While Tony did have a lot of success with money and building power in his drug empire, he lived under the false belief that that was what he needed in life to obtain the things that he lacked as though it could just be bought. Manny had those things and Tony kept him around as a reminder to what he could be but unfortunately, Tony took it all for granted and when he killed Manny, I think it finally dawned on Tony that he truly had nothing good despite being surrounded by more money and drugs than most men would ever have. It's actually a lot more tragic when you really put Tony's life into perspective.

[@thejoker-wu1sp]

I was sooo happy in Scarface on ps3 the very first person you kill is the Sosa's shotgun assassin. Been wanting to do that shit since the 1st time I saw the movie!

[@isaiahhumphreys1865]

Mr. Ager, would it be worth continuing the character analysis in the Scarface: The World is Yours game?

[@Victor-Vargas]

Would love to hear more from you on this film if there is anything else you've noticed more recently

[@collativelearning]

There's a pack of four vids about Scarface available on my website :)

[@amsalespush]

I think it was Brian de Palma who said "The Hollywood bosses will hate this movie because they will realize that it is about them."

[@moviearchaeologist9655]

I think Rob's original analysis did mention that. Might've been Scorsese who said that claim, come to think of it.

[@infinitesimotel]

How so?

[@amsalespush]

@@infinitesimotel Materialistic trophy-hunting, not caring about others, etc.

[@amsalespush]

@@moviearchaeologist9655 Quite likely.

[@infinitesimotel]

@@amsalespush Ah yes, those are some of their more redeeming qualities; not to mention propaganda, agenda and global national usurpation.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I have NEVER seen these deleted scenes before! the Humphrey Bogart scene was incredible😍💕

[@brendancronin3796]

The music in this film is exceptional..the film is flawed but so is reality .You get sucked into tonys mindset ...the violence and the capitalist metaphors...if you want something you just take it regardless of who you destroy . The way he treats his sister is very telling ...he has an idealistic view of her that's not based on reality . Tony has a born to die mentality ...it's like he's already dead . Look at the way his mother treats him ...his behaviour has overridden her maternal love for him

[@ramirezmanuel117]

Hell yeah, as soon as I saw this thumbnail I knew I was in for an instant hood classic.

[@chrisvelazquez6933]

I always look at this movie as an over the top comedy. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief because I’m Cuban American my dad’s friends and family never acted like any of these people lol

[@skyjelly9790]

"HEY GUESS WHAT, WHAT YOU'VE BEEN GETTING FROM THIS MOVIE FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS IS TOTALLY WRONG AND HERE'S A VIDEO ESSAY DECONSTRUCTING IT WHILE GETTING BASIC SHIT WRONG"

[@jekw23]

I first watched this and was very unimpressed, however it’s a movie I can’t seem to stop watching. I still find the montage mid film is really jarring and I wish the film fleshed out Tony at the height of his power. The film as is goes straight from him reaching the top to self destruction. It’s a long film but I always wanted to see how he held on to power rather than just the upward/downward trajectory

[@haustyl12]

Lot of gangsters in films are kind and playful to children is because children are innocent to the world of adults and the hardships of life. Though I feel if Tony did have children, he would only show unconditional love and support when they’re children, but once they become teens. I feel Tony would see them as property and have extremely high expectations of them and would be against any goal that didn’t follow the goals he already had for them

[@Parasiteve]

i want the house his first boss lives in. forget his name but its like the first guy he works for, i think his name is frank or fred....but that house is so 80s omfg and that glass elevator ugh. UGH! i always felt the scene where tony talks to the kids at the pool was ad-libbed. i mean that scene didn't feel like tony talking to kids but like al pachino was talking to kids lol.i feel like tony wanting kids is him trying to be a good person, the good person he thinks he is. maybe its because im a woman but if i was a crime lord everyone would be open for murder. kids,women,men,elderly, all of em wouldn't get in the way of what i'd want. michelle phifer is one of my fav actresses. catwoman is maybe my fav role of hers. i was like 3 or 4 when the movie came out and i was obsessed with catwoman after that, mostly because of her. i had the halloween costume, i watched the movie constantly. i wanted to be her when i grew up lol i think the only other ending that would suffice would be like how we start the movie: tony in a room with cops around him talking. except this time its because hes caught and they're telling him all his crimes and as the crimes are being said out loud we zoom in on tonys haggard straight face and then it goes to black and credits. oh you know the part where elivra is in white and in front of the mirror with the drink? i have those glasses. my mom got them from my great grandma ages ago and they're in the family china cabinet. im an only child so they're all mine when the time comes lol. tony doesn't participate in fun at the beach because hes hunting...for women. like a hunter would hunt a tiger. i wanna note in the lawyers office where the naked woman statue is, on the bottom left, on the lawyers desk, is a picture of his young daughter. maybe a connection of some sort? another bad guy with a child and yet theres a woman in his midst being objectified in statue form that could one day be his daughter to another crime boss. or maybe im looking too deeply into it.

[@heyslade64]

great breakdown of the relationship between Elvira and Tony

[@paschallhouston]

Also notice after the club shootout when he leaves in his expensive Porsche he has a left tail light out. End shootout the grenade launcher falls off m-16 rifle when he is shot trying to reload and he falls down. And if Chi Chi still had a pulse laying in front of that door forget about it. He was grenade launched and hit with a burst of 556 along with the other hitman by Tony.