Vito vs Michale

   When I was watching the first movie, I kind of forgot the fact that the the Corleone Family was an crime family.  During the first movie, I loved all the characters in the corleone family, and I wanted them to stomp out the rival families.   In the beginning of part two, Michale doesn't have the respect that his father had, the family looks unhappy and cynical towards each other, and the business is more white collar crime.  The plot to get the senator on their side reminded me of what the Corleone family really does.  It makes me wonder what Vito did to get the respect and power we saw in the first movie.   When Vito died in the garden, we talked about him dying as a friendly monster.  The more I watch Michale and Tom create the new Family empire, the more of a criminal he seems to me. 

The Godfather and Othello

So now that you've finished the first movie, what are your thoughts?  What is the manifestation of Evil that you see so far?  What are your thoughts on Michael?  How is he like/different from his father, The Don?  Also, please read Act I of Othello for Tuesday.  As you read, please post thoughts/questions on this great tragedy.  Have an Evil Labor Day!

The Godfather

So, what do you think about the movie so far?  Any questions?  What do you like about it?  What is confusing?  How do you see it fitting in with any of our summer reading? 

Vito is God

If Vito from The Godfather was literally God; that would make Micheal, Satan. Think about it. I assume "Vito" means life, like in vitality or Spanish "viva", and Micheal was the favorite son. Although both Micheal and Satan begin their live following their fathers' wishes, they soon revolt and all things of goodness are taken out of their lives. In Satan's case, he is banished from heaven to hell, and in Micheal's case, he looses his family and is forced into solitude. Although I can't know this for sure, even though Micheal makes a lot of decisions that Vito wouldn't have approved of, I still feel that Vito loves him in the same way that God still loves Satan after his rebellion.

Anthony

In the scene when Kay tells Michael about the abortion, they mention that something is wrong with their other son Anthony...What is it? Could it be that he is very quiet just like Vito as a child?

Godfather Part 2 Ending

Did anyone notice Michael's face when the camera zoomed in? Half of his face was covered by shadow...does that mean something about his character? I feel like he's always in his "family business" mode. We all know that everyone compares him to his father, but times have changed. And although Michael tries his best to provide for his family, he never spends time with either of his kids. Perhaps he thought he had time to fix everything with his family, but the damage is already done.

Father and Son

Pauline Kael's review of Godfather part two definitely made me appreciate Coppola's directing style. I agree with the audience's desire to see more of Don Vito during the early 1900's because it helped me see a better parallel between Michael's method of handling the family business and his father's foundation for the family. People react differently to Michael's power and his father's. Kael described Don Vito as a Robin Hood character when the Italian community seeks his protection and friendship. Michael, on the other hand, looks like a Robin Hood gone bad from my view. He rarely is seen doing any "good deeds" for others and expresses an appetite for more power than his father left him with. Although Michael might detest being compared to his father, it's hard not to see the shift from a family oriented business to the stress on money and power Michael brought with him.

The "new" Godfather

The members of the Corleone family and Family, I noticed, are always bringing up Vito.  This has got to bother Michael.  It seems like they are always comparing him to his father.  Even in the trail Vito was brought up.... Also, is "Godfather" not the name given to every new leader in The Family?  I thought that Michael is now the Godfather, but no one calls him that.  Does he have to earn it?

Othello and the Godfather

In an earlier post, I compared Barzini from the first Godfather to Iago and Micheal to Othello. I think it is an apt metaphor because Barzini is the one who initiates Micheal's decent to violence by shooting Don Vito. So if the movie continues to somewhat reflect the play, Micheal will have to cause, either directly or indirectly, Kate's death because Kate mirrors Desdemona. I'm calling it- Kate is going to die and it will be Micheal's fault somehow.

New Category

Please note that I have added a new category for your comments relating to The Godfather.

Othello and The Godfather

While I was trying to establish a connection between both the play and the movie, I discovered some interesting character correlations. I believe that Iago is like Barzini because they both control the action from the background without becoming too involved. Also, because the play is a tragedy, I assume Iago dies in the end like Barzini did. I have yet to discover if Othello himself is Don Vito or Don Micheal. Thoughts?

Prompt concerning The Godfather

So, who is the villain in this famous movie?  What is the manifestation of evil?