Tony was a scammer
Leon’s money went right into Old Tony’s pockets.
shareI rewatched this recently and was thinking the very same thing. And he sent Mathilda away at the end with what, a couple hundred bucks of what was supposed to be her money?
He was also a turncoat who obviously had given Leon up to the crooked DEA agent.
I’ve seen it a few times and never caught on until recently. Granted, I can be a little clueless at times, but I think it’s mainly a testament to the quality of the film and Aiello’s performance.
I've got to admit, it didn't really register for me as well, until this most recent rewatch. I don't know why; it's almost kind of embarrassing. I'm usually more perceptive. I can only conclude I was likewise distracted by the story and the performances of the key players.
shareWhat clinched it for me was the scene where Leon asks Tony to give his money to Mathilda if he dies. Tony says “Ok” but cannot look him in the eyes when he does it.
shareI thought that on day one!
"Yeah , sure Leon , Ive put all your money away under a special mobster mattress , dontchoo worry about it ..."
I was a kid when I first saw this and even then I felt it was pretty obvious that Tony was ripping Leon off, even though he kind of liked Leon, giving him just barely enough to get by and stashing the rest for himself, telling the naive & trusting Leon that he would be better for him if Tony held onto his money for him "like a bank".
The movie ends with him "respecting Leon's wishes" for Tony to give Mathilda all of his money should anything happen to him by essentially running the same scam on Mathilda.
Yeah. It's quite obvious, but he also genuinely cares about Leon so if you're not reading between the lines of his reactions (and the ultimate betrayal), you'll miss that side bit. Well written and well acted side character for sure. Greedy, selfish character who also genuinely cared about the hitman he carried under his wing.
shareYou may want to re watch that part again.
He gives only a hundred correct.
But does offer her the money he then mentioned about her being young he should hold onto it and she can come every few weeks to get some its her choice.
What he is offering is the same system he had with Leon which ins't bad but this does allow him to keep it if something would happen plus a level of control.
Remember she is a 12 year old
Once you learn how to adequately construct a cohesive argument, then come talk to me. In other words, don't try to lecture me about fine details when you obviously don't proofread your posts and make no attempt to correct errors in both grammar and logic.
shareyou already lost when a people needs to resort to what you are basing your argument of which has nothing to do with the original subject but a person typing in a message board means no have no come back.
It is a typical tactic used by lower class people.
You stated you had watched in multi times it should of been very clear what was said by the characters if this was the case sometime people may of watche dit many years ago this is why I said re watch it.
He's playing her as he did with Leon those are only excuses to not give the money he maybe will give her a few bucks the next weeks but then "forget about money child there's no money" You can see he's playing Leon, acting offended when Leon ask for his money, he shouldn't act like that is a big red flag, even if Leon tell him look I'm leaving give me my money he sure would create an excuse "I don't have it with me" "wait a week "I can't move the money now is not safe give me another week, let me give you a few hundred while you wait" is a manipulation tactic.
I never knew what to feel about this character I think he really cares about Leon but is like the scorpion fable he just can't go against his nature, at the end of the day he's a scorpion no matter what.