Off Topic: The Godfather

Year: 1972

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Category: I first saw this movie about sixteen years ago. All I knew was that Marlon Brando was in it and that it was about organized crime. And I’m glad I didn’t know much about it, because the plot drew me in and continues to intrigue me. Dear reader, this post contains some spoilers, so beware!

My thoughts: The Godfather opens with the wedding of Connie Corleone, the only daughter of mob boss Don Vito Corleone (played, of course, by Marlon Brando). Sometime later, Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo arrives on the scene with a bunch of drugs, and needs protection and funding from mobsters. The Don says no, but Sonny, his impulsive eldest son, expresses interest in the drug game (before he’s shut down by his dad), which exposes a crack in the Corleone armor. The Don tells Sonny, “Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again.” This is, to me, where the plot turns—that meeting with Don Corleone, Sonny, and Sollozzo. It leads to a series of events that result in Michael Corleone, the youngest son, (who I mentioned when writing about The Custom of the Country) going from neutral party to ruthless don. And I mean RUTHLESS. I think The Godfather Part II documents more of how hardened and deadly cunning Michael had become. But here, in the original, you can see that he’ll be more coldly efficient than his father. I think Michael, even though he at first wanted no part of the family business, grew up in an environment where violence and revenge were de rigueur. So when he decides to get involved in it, it’s perfectly normal to him. It’s business (not personal).

I like this movie because it’s a very fascinating story. The characters are not saints, but they are very compelling to watch. In The Godfather, where things begin and where they end are very drastic. I think there’s something Shakespearean about The Godfather (it reminds me of both King Lear and some of the histories involving Henry IV and Henry V). But, unfortunately, it seems that filming The Godfather was not a fun process for the director and the actors. I once listened to the DVD commentary by Francis Ford Coppola. He stated that he was chosen to direct The Godfather because he was young and the studio thought they could push him around. I always think it’s interesting to hear about behind-the-scenes stories from great films—indeed, there’s a fascinating documentary called Hearts of Darkness about the making of another Coppola film, Apocalypse Now (which I’ve only seen in its entirety once—it’s pretty crazy).

Every time I watch The Godfather, I think about it for days afterward. I think about the twists and turns and the great lines. I like how, later in the film, Vito Corleone appears to be a little…senile, if you will. He rambles quite a bit when talking to Michael. But it’s at this point that Don Corleone tells Michael that the person who approaches him (Michael) with an offer of peace will be the traitor. And so it comes to pass.

Great lines:

Tom Hagen: When I meet with Tattaglia’s men, should I insist all their drug middlemen have clean records?

Don Corleone: Mention it, don’t insist. But Barzini will know that without being told.

Tom Hagen: You mean Tattaglia...

Don Corleone: Tattaglia is a pimp. He never could have outfought Santino. But I didn't know until this day that it was Barzini all along.