Recently, as I was browsing the library the internet I came upon probably one of the most upsetting articles I have ever read( in context to movies). The article argued that Francis Ford Coppola's master adaptation of the novel "The Godfather" was not a well made movie. The author believed that somehow it was a method of glorifying of the mafia and sympathizing their ruthless lifestyles that terrorized the United States. I oppose this opinion with all my heart despite the emotions the film evokes while watching, as this does not appear as the intent of the director Coppola, nor that of the author Mario Puzzo.
With a closer look at the story of the Corleone family it is understood that the real intent was to contrast the destructiveness of a mafioso lifestyle and the perception of those who lived it. Coppola sets the audience with the inclination that Don Corleone is an all powerful man as seen by the favors people ask of him. And, for those who read the novel you know Puzzo makes multiple instances where Don Corleone is seen as God.
One in particular, my favorite instance is when Don Corleone is gunned down leaving his office. In the novel, Puzzo describes Freddie's face as frightened and terrified because he Don Corleone seemed like a God. Although in many modern families, a strong father figure can almost appear as an idol to children, an invincible human being of unmatched glory. But, due to life in the mafia, respect is held in such high esteem that Freddie has almost forgotten that the Don is his father first, not God in the flesh. Although the mafia lifestyle seems so attractive the violence opens the audience's eyes to the consequences.
One scene in the film features Sonny Corleone on his way to beat his brother-in-law for hitting Sonny's sister. Yet, as Sonny reaches a toll in the road he is mutilated by bullets. We, the audience, are set up in a way that we in someways are rooting for Sonny and his frontier justice, but only upon his death do we remember the dangers of gang war. But none of these scenes are as moving, in my opinion, as the disfigurement of Michael Corleone's character..
In the beginning of the film the audience understands Michael Corleone as the rebellious young brother who wants nothing to do with his crime family. When contrasting that image of Michael and the closing shot he appears almost unrecognizable. As he sits in his father's chair Mary Kate, his wife, knows that he is now immersed in the life of crime. Although this comparison of living a somewhat normal life, Michael in the beginning, and the life of a mafioso, Michael in the end, show how he is unknown to his own family and that what he once hated he now embodies. This article is unable to take everything in to count so forgive me if I left anything out, but in response to the man who disliked "The Godfather", I hope you watch this movie with new eyes.
