Scarface

The money montage in the cult-classic, "Scarface" is not only iconic, it says a lot about the movie and it's characters and serves as a distinctive turning point in the film. Through the money montage we can see that tony has not only embraced capitalism, he basically represents it now. After the turning point of Tony killing Mel and Frank, Tony reaches the height of his riches and happiness, but also reaches the point of no return. This is further emphasized by the song playing in the background, “Scarface” (push it to the limit). In the montage, the song talks about limits and pushing the boundaries between what one currently has and possibility. The song also talks about winning and fighting to keep what has already been amassed. This represents tony’s situation for the rest of the film perfectly as he works, negotiates, and even kills, while he desperately tries to cling to the life he has built for himself; consequently though, the tighter he holds onto this power and fortune, the more it seems to crumble. Tony himself begins to strangle the “happiness” he has built for himself in a world that he believes he has earned the right in. Throughout the montage we also see a few wardrobe changes. Previously we have seen Tony’s preference for red; this could symbolize many things—from how he got his start and how he’s climbed the social ladder, to his death. Red is a color associated with lust, blood, and prestige—all things Tony, especially in his wealth seems to exemplify. If tony isn’t actively wearing red, it seems to appear somewhere in the shot. In the first few scenes of the montage—from the bank, to gina’s salon, to his own management/traveling business, tony wears red. One of the only shots in this montage where Tony isn’t wearing red, is when he is at his wedding, or accompanying Gina for what looks like dress shopping. In his wedding scene however, though Tony is not wearing red, the priest that is wedding them holds a red bible and in the background we can seen various splashes of red among the white of the wedding; fruit, flowers, and flags. In the same vein of Tony’s capitalistic tendencies we can also tie in how he and those around him consume. They are surrounded by a lavish and opulent surroundings there is still an undercurrent of need or desire. They all want anything and everything. Gina and Manny want to each other—theyre eventual marriage is hinted at in the dress shopping scene with Tony and Gina—even though they likely suspect Tony’s reaction. Tony wants more grandeur. And Elvira, who left her previous gangster husband and replaces him with another, still seems unhappy and uses drugs—either because of her addiction or because to still feels a void (which she fills with drugs.) Elvira, though surrounded by lavish things, has her focus on cocaine, and this can be seen in the final shot of the montage: the final word of the song being “limit” as it fades into the background, the shot zooms in on Elvira and her pile of cocaine and she looks just as empty and unsatisfied as always.