King of the White Line Highway

SCARFACE - Blu-Ray Trailer 2011 [HQ] by Eklecty-City
by Conor Larkin

In Scarface, the epic drug cartel movie staring Al Pacino as the all mighty Tony Montana, he was king of the “White Line Highway” during the 80’s. A fictional tale based roughly on real events, Scarface took place in southern Florida, a large market for cocaine at that time. What was it about the man who owned Miami Beach, that was so appealing to the male viewers? Tony Montana made it to the top in the cocaine world the only way he knew how: by playing dirty, by committing to selfish goals, and showing the world and all the women on it, that he was fierce.

In Scarface, it was common for Montona to lie, cheat, steal, bribe, and even kill to get ahead in life. Being a rat, also known as snitching, was considered breaking the “law”, as well as poaching on another gang’s turf. The funny thing, however, was that Pacino’s character, was a man of fearless desperation. Being one of few immigrants to make it to the United States from Cuba, Montana’s life was the sinner’s tale of rags to riches. Willing to do anything necessary to make it to the top, Tony would kill anyone who opposed him. He even shot a man in the head, in the middle of the street with tons of witnesses, just to make a statement. He was the all-time bad guy. Men are drawn to these types of male characters who break rules, get rich, and are feared.

Montana had the features of a most powerful man. He was a rugged individualist; he had no concern with anyone but himself; he was committed to always doing what’s best for him. Completely detached from feminine emotions like empathy, guilt, and love, his senseless and reckless behavior is accepted as masculine. His alpha-dog savagery is what every other man envied. With no remorse for his actions, Tony was never hesitant to take control of everything and do things himself; he didn’t even think twice when killing his best friend for loving his sister.

Montana states, “To get the women, you need power. To get the power, you money.” It is the man’s job to pursue power to impress women. Montana forced his power onto others with tough talk and the “balls” to back it up. He used his “balls” as a term for how strong and able he was. Any man who contested Tony, was taught a lesson, and Montana was the teacher. An example would be Frank, the man who brought Tony into the big time business. Tony desired Gina, but she belonged to Frank, so Tony gobbled Frank and his operation like Pac-Man on a power-pellet. When Gina saw the Tony “took care” of Frank she realized his potential, and was immediately attracted to his power.

I am sure many men walked out of the theatre desiring to be Tony Montana. He had the money, the power, and the “balls” to be number one, the man. Living life in a most epic fashion, he had everything he wanted and more. The world was against him, but he refused to lose. Montana is a “real man”. He dominated. He was king.