A Study of The Godfather Essay Example

each role.

"He's ambivalent, almost unsure of himself and his place. He's caught between his old world family and the post war American dream," says Al Pacino about Michael Corleone's character. At the start of the movie, Michael, who is the Don's youngest son, is not fully assimilated into his family's 'business'.

Right from Connie's wedding scene, it's evident to the audience that Michael is distinct from others, as if he's merely a good friend. He explains to Kaye that his family and not he is in the business, and he's brought up with the intention of pursuing the American dream. At the wedding ceremony, he dons his highly decorated army uniform instead of the typical gangster's long coat and hat, offering rock solid proof that he's part of a "Good" America. As the plot progresses, Michael becomes more integrated into his family, and the crisis they encounter draws him in due to his feelings for them. In a subsequent scene following Don's assassination, there's a family meeting where they consider their choices.

The seating arrangement at the meeting suggests that Michael has no designated spot, causing him to claim the Don's seat. Despite his attempts to take control, Santino assumes leadership and prevents Michael from joining. Everyone is already aware of his upbringing and position within the family. When Michael enters the dimly lit house, the camera follows him until he reaches

the meeting room where other people are present. This highlights Michael's insignificance at this stage. Even when he wants to leave, Santino denies him, emphasizing his dominance.

During a meeting, Clemenza reassures everyone that Sollozzo is aware of being a civilian. As the discussion continues, Michael takes a seat behind Don's desk and pulls out a cigar while observing the potential outcomes. Despite not being fully integrated into the mafia, he still portrays himself with his long coat and hat. The meeting comes to a close and Santino decides to proceed aggressively. Later on, Michael offers to take care of Sollozzo and Chief Police McClusky, seizing the opportunity to prove himself. His determination surprises the others and shows his desire to be part of his father's life.

As the film progresses, Michael's hidden emotions continue to brew beneath the surface. His concern for his father's health leads him to visit the hospital. The dark, empty surroundings create a sense of entrapment and danger. Upon entering his father's room, Michael discovers the bodyguards have abandoned their post and his father is left unprotected. Despite no visible threat, Michael's heightened awareness indicates that danger is creeping in the shadows. Through the camera's perspective, the audience is made aware that Michael is being watched, adding an extra layer of tension as they eagerly anticipate what will happen next.

Michael's surroundings create a foreboding atmosphere, accentuating his solitude. However, he proves his worthiness to assume the role of Don by analyzing his circumstances and taking necessary precautions to ensure his father's safety. With his resourcefulness and composure, he rescues Vito from danger, unbeknownst to anyone except himself. He instructs Enzo to wait

outside while he moves his father, then rapidly joins him at the entrance. Here, Coppola portrays Michael's shrewdness by depicting him and Enzo as typical mafia enforcers, adopting an iconic stance and feigning possession of firearms.

The group of men arrived to kill Michael's father, however, they were surprised to find two unfamiliar individuals present. Rather than risk a confrontation with Michael and his acquaintance, the intruders promptly departed. Enzo, feeling anxious and trembling, reached for a cigarette immediately. Michael, cool and composed, assisted Enzo with a calming gesture. This scenario exemplifies Michael's unflappable nature in contrast to how most men would react in such a situation. Enzo likely stayed and aided Michael because he was afraid of potential repercussions if he abstained.

Michael has gained firsthand experience of the gangster world, acquiring knowledge on the necessary tasks and methods to achieve them. His elimination of Sollozzo and McClusky serves as a trial, a step towards becoming a Mafia Don. Seeking refuge in Sicily, he embarks on a pilgrimage and visits his grandfather's home, expanding his understanding of the Mafia's religion.

Michael's transformation from a Don hopeful to a true Don occurs as he explores Sicily. His encounter with Appollonia leads to love at first sight. Despite discovering the identity of her father, Michael confronts him instead of retreating. He asserts himself formally and suggests his readiness for confrontation.

Coppolla showcases Michael's dominance in a scene by utilizing a translator as an intermediary, portraying him as composed and issuing orders without emotion or anger. Despite his unassuming appearance, Michael exhibits inner strength, impressing the father with his bold yet reasonable demands, ultimately gaining a valuable ally from a

potential foe.

The scenes illuminated the beginning of Michael's new life, which he will maintain as his forefathers did. The Godfather music played during these scenes marked a crucial turning point in the story, as well as Michael's entire existence. This single scene transformed Michael from a young boy to a mature man, as Coppola portrayed his character development. Throughout the Godfather, Michael matured from being a reserved son to an unyielding and merciless leader. Now that he is in charge, his motive is to pursue revenge.

We can observe that the joy of an infant is contrasted with the grim context of mass murders. This resembles the dichotomy between paradise and inferno, life and demise, sanctity and the vile act of assassination. This raises questions in the minds of the viewers - is this the same person who was depicted in the opening scenes? The rival Dons hold animosity towards Michael due to his modern style of leadership. They resist change and aim to hinder Michael's progress. However, Michael realizes that in order to establish total authority, he must take an action that nobody else dares to contemplate - that is, to eliminate all the existing heads of families.

The opening scene depicts the priest speaking in incomprehensible Latin while the organs play softly in the background, casting a holy aura over the ceremony. The unexpected switch to an assassin preparing with a gun foreshadows imminent violence, as parallel diegetic sounds heighten the tension. This sound effect, similar to the one used in Jaws, intimates that trouble is nearing, leaving viewers wondering what could mar this peaceful event. As the scene progresses, the music pitch rises

and the hitmen advance on their targets, amplifying the suspense.

At the climactic moment, Michael Corleone renounces Satan, his works, and his pomps. This is the defining moment in the movie. As Michael speaks these words, hit men slowly eliminate the dons' enemies one by one. The music reaches a crescendo and breaks out, but diegetic sounds blend in with the action on screen. When the speaking ends, the bodies are shown cold, dead, and silent—not alive and action-packed.

Michael has played the role of God by ordering the death of four men. Once the scene comes to an end, life returns to normalcy and the family rejoices with the birth of their child under the natural light while church bells ring in the background. However, upon returning home, Michael sets to work to eliminate Tessio - one of Vito's closest acquaintances who betrayed him. In addition, Michael discusses with Carlo about Santino's demise.

Carlo trusted in Michael's honesty and was relieved that he was not killed, but just as he was leaving in his car, Clemenza assassinated him. Michael displayed his ruthlessness by killing his own family member, proving that he possesses the perfect blend of Santino's physical presence and Vito's strategic thinking. Connie confronted Michael, aware that he was responsible for Carlo's death. With Michael now seated behind Vito's desk as the Don, he has gained complete control and is unstoppable.

Kaye inquires of Michael, "Is it true?" despite his irate reaction; he acquiesces to this one inquiry. Michael responds, "No, it's not true." Although Kaye believes him, the audience witnesses his inevitable failure as he lies to the person he cares most about. Subsequently,

the audience realizes that Michael will never divulge the truth. As the film concludes, Kaye brings Michael a beverage to soothe their nerves before she exits to the next room just as Clemenza and two other men enter the space.

As Clemenza kisses Michael's hand, he becomes the new Don, with Kaye watching in shock. Suddenly, a bodyguard approaches and closes the door, leaving Kaye outside of his life permanently. This pivotal moment is portrayed with dim lighting and soft godfather music playing in the background, adding to its significance within the film.

Before this time, the music that represented the Godfather and his work was played whenever anything relating to the Mafia Don setting, history, or how he operated was brought up. This emphasized his authority as the head of the entire underground organization in America. Though Michael allows Kaye to ask him a question, he quickly steps back into the shadows when he tells a lie. This scene marks Michael's transformation from an ordinary good man to a chaotic leader. Even to the person who means the most to him, he has demonstrated his heartlessness and ruthlessness. The closed door between the two rooms represents the segregation of family life from that of Kaye and Michael's involvement in the mafia. The audience can see that Michael's change from a quiet man to a ruthless don has been looming within him all his life. Francis Ford Coppola highlights this by placing Michael in a situation where his family is engulfed and consumed by their association with the mafia.

The technique used in The Godfather involves the strategic use of sounds to reflect the character's thoughts and

create tension. Additionally, the movie features carefully placed images, such as Michael's transition from a traditional American army uniform to an iconic mafia outfit. Initially, the camera focuses on the entire family rather than solely on Michael; as the film progresses, he becomes the central character through a process of elimination. Rather than a typical gangster or family film, The Godfather manages to blend these unique qualities in a memorable manner that ensures it will remain a timeless classic.