The lemon scene in Scarface.

[mai72]

I was watching Scarface (1983) movie last night, and the lemon scene had me confused. Tony eats the lemon, but it wasn't meant to be eaten, but the bowl was supposed tom be used for washing your fingers? Can someone please give some context on this scene?

Amazing movie btw.

[Falco]

Agreed, great movie, visually entertaining and amazing story-line.

In the culture (I forgot if it was like Italian, or just in richer fancy places) they give you a bowl of lemon slice(s) with water, after a meal. This is to wash your hands in it, you dip your fingertips in it, swirl it around, do as you please, and dry up with a nearby towel/handkerchief.

The reason why Tony eats the lemons is because he grew up poor, and doesn't come from a wealthy background, and learnt as a child to not waste things. This is in stark contrast with the others who did not grow up poor like Montana, hence why he is seen as taboo during that particular moment.

Hope this helped, and don't forget;

"The eyes, Chico, they never lie"

[craigsters]

Tony character in the scarface he seemed to be a street kid hoodlum from the streets of Havana and most likely had next to no education and was probably running the street's doing criminal activity sense age of 10 or younger

[brain stew]

In this enthralling scene, the lemon represents the world.

By Tony eating the lemon, it signifies his insatiable hunger that not even eating the entire world can satisfy.

[Frankie]

Can someone furnish me with a vid clip of this scene please?

I know this film like the back of my hand but can't seem to picture this scene?

Just a pointer to this scene would be enough.

[Red Shift]

Originally posted by Frankie:

Can someone furnish me with a vid clip of this scene please?

YouTube™ Video: What is Tony Montana doing? / Scarface, 1983, Al Pacino 

Views: 29,683

Al Pacino eating the lemon out of the finger bowl. Review our podcast on iTunes: http://miawg.uk/ReviewOurShow ********************************** In acting terms, 'business' are those things we get...

[Bassturd]

Back in the 'olden days', lemons were often given out in restaurants to clean your hands with as they are antiseptic and kill bacteria and germs. Yes, they could also be used to sweeten your water and such but it had a more direct purpose.

[craigsters]

YouTube™ Video: Scarface "All I have in this world is my balls and my word" 

Views: 555,652

Scarface (1983)

Scarface "All I have in this world is my balls and my word"

this part is shortly after the lemon scene when Omar Suárez (F. Murray Abraham) get's tossed out of a helicopter

[Frankie]

Originally posted by Red Shift:

Originally posted by Frankie:

Can someone furnish me with a vid clip of this scene please?

YouTube™ Video: What is Tony Montana doing? / Scarface, 1983, Al Pacino 

Views: 29,683

Al Pacino eating the lemon out of the finger bowl. Review our podcast on iTunes: http://miawg.uk/ReviewOurShow ********************************** In acting terms, 'business' are those things we get...

Thankyou I now remember the scene and had actually missed the fact it was supposed to be for refreshing the pallet. Tony wasn't supposed to be the most informed in regular etiquette I expect :-)

[Pierce Dalton]

Originally posted by qwertyuiop:

Agreed, great movie, visually entertaining and amazing story-line.

In the culture (I forgot if it was like Italian, or just in richer fancy places) they give you a bowl of lemon slice(s) with water, after a meal. This is to wash your hands in it, you dip your fingertips in it, swirl it around, do as you please, and dry up with a nearby towel/handkerchief.

The reason why Tony eats the lemons is because he grew up poor, and doesn't come from a wealthy background, and learnt as a child to not waste things. This is in stark contrast with the others who did not grow up poor like Montana, hence why he is seen as taboo during that particular moment.

Hope this helped, and don't forget;

"The eyes, Chico, they never lie"

Hmm this makes perfect sense, thanks for the explanation. Tony was such a badass, imagine spitting at someone holding a chainsaw while you're handcuffed... balls of steel.