Anyone feel sorry for Frank?

I didn't really feel sorry for Frank. I don't think Tony was trying to push Frank out immediately. He was initially put off by Frank's man, Omar Suarez, but felt that he could bypass him and deal with Frank directly. True, he was infatuated with Elvira, and from all appearances, she wasn't happy being with Frank. Tony wanted to marry her, not just keep her as a girlfriend/coke whore.

I think the meeting with Sosa is what may have turned Tony against Frank. He learned that Omar was an informer, and Sosa placed doubt in Tony's mind as to the quality of Frank's leadership. Maybe it was Sosa's way of warning Tony that he was part of organization which was a sinking ship. If Tony believed that Sosa thought poorly of Frank, then to be too loyal or too closely associated with Frank may not have been in Tony's best interest. He could see that Sosa was far more powerful, better organized, and more ambitious than Frank. He was offering Tony a choice - and an opportunity which could lead to untold riches.

Frank made his own bed, and Tony knew he wasn't going to last. I suppose Frank could have survived if he just faded away or disappeared - which he offered to do just before he was killed, but it was too late by then. Frank was kind of arrogant, thinking Tony was just some upstart - a "peasant." He looked down on Tony and underestimated him.

It's true that Tony made deals using Frank's money, but he was certain that Frank would get an enormous return on his investment. If Frank vetoed the deal, then Tony and Frank could have severed their business relationship and Tony could have operated independently and still keep his deal with Sosa. Which is what ended up happening anyway. He didn't really have to kill Frank for that reason, though. Frank was the one who forced the matter and struck the first blow (by the attempt at the nightclub). If not for that, then Tony may not have killed Frank.

As for Tony stealing his girl, you may be right, but it's not as if Elvira and Frank were married. Elvira seemed unhappy, and Frank just seemed to use her as an "ornament," while Tony wanted to marry her and start a family. He wanted to make her happy. But that became his own undoing. A sad tale of unrequited love.

Yes...and no. I mean, Frank seemed like such a friendly and cool guy. Originally, I think he had good intentions, and honestly trusted Tony. He's the one who helped Tony become so powerful. But then again, Frank was a snake. He went against Tony and tried to have him killed. Think about it. How would you feel if someone plotted to have you killed? Would you forgive them? Frank made the ultimate mistake. Not also did he betray Tony, but he tried to take his life. That's not something that any gangster can forgive or disregard. Frank shouldn't have messed with Tony. Though, Tony was a control freak. He was just bound to get killed by Tony at some point. Frank opposed Tony's agenda. And really, it was fair game. Frank was involved with a sketchy, criminally operated business. The chance of getting killed is just part of the territory.

I have a different take than the others. I believe Frank had achieved just the right balance in their line of work. He made a VERY good living using the dealership as a front to launder the illegal funds from his operation. He wasn't a MAJOR player which also meant he wasn't enough of a threat for the others to waste their time with a costly war to draw attention to themselves. It was basically cruise control and given his age.. he had been at the game for a long time.

His introduction to Montana was minimal. He only knew this was an eager guy who had killed before and wanted revenge for his brother lost to Castro's men years before. He pulls some strings and apparently it seems he plans to use him for more basic tasks at the start. After an aggressive move from Omar (a man he trusts), he shows he is loyal, fierce, and ambitious. In the club, Frank is calm and relaxed...this changes when Montana dances with his woman. Talking business with Omar, he weighs the risk/reward as although Montana is ambitious and potentially a threat to their stability, he would also be a powerful ally in difficult circumstances who would work tirelessly.

Frank's reservations grow after the trip to Sosa leaves him short an advisor he trusted and a deal he cannot immediately cover. He doesn't trust Sosa and he trusted Omar. Even if his judgment wasn't 100%, this is still making waves to his carefully laid operations he likely maintained for decades. On top of the added risk from Sosa... he has reservations about Montana ...and NOW.... the competition might take another hard look at him moving so much more product. Add to that, Montana makes more abrasive moves towards his woman brazenly. No outright betrayal, but a total disregard for his authority and his safety, Frank has to make the choice to eliminate Montana. Frank had to make the choice to avoid becoming a major target; something Montana would have done increasingly until his end.

He simply made a major miscalculation and should have offed Montana quietly in private with three armed men lying in wait after a night of drinking and putting him at ease. After that, Manny didn't have the brains and would accept most explanations and would still be a loyal enforcer making solid money and a semblance of normalcy wold have returned. But alas, this was not to be the case.








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I have always felt bad for Frank because he brought Tony in and it ended up becoming his own demise. But if it wasn't Tony it would've been somebody else. My question would be how did Frank get that high in the drug world have been so stupid, and weak. After the trip to Bolivia Frank was basically a parody of a Cuban drug lord.

I did. And Frank was proven to be right about staying low key and how guys who want it all don't last and that's what happened to Tony.

Not really. I understand why he wanted Tony dead, but he should never have handed off the job to those two morons. In that world, there is no room for mistakes like that.

a horrible criminal

Frank had everything going perfectly, until Tony entered his world. Frank never went for too much, and was flying steady with what he was doing. Things were going well with Tony, until Tony wanted to go for more. But the advances Tony was making on Elvira was what changed everything. Frank was rightfully upset about this. Tony was in the wrong big-time here. And then at the club insulted Frank even further. Frank had no other choice but to take him out. Poor execution, though. 2 hitmen far away from Tony in a busy nightclub. Still think Frank and co. could have made 1 last move when they were intruded on. Would have been a shootout, but better chance for survival for them.