Analysis of The Godfather - Assignment Example

The GodfatherIntroductionThe Godfather is a Hollywood movie of 1972 crafted mostly in New York with some sets in Sicily. The storyline moves around a mafia Don Vito (Marlon Brando) that flourished during ‘40s and ‘50s. The movie is based on the brilliant novel having the same name “The Godfather” authored by Mario Puzo published in 1969. The movie is directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released by Paramount Pictures. Total running time of the movie is 175 minutes. The movie certainly captures brutality, violence and horror in the gang war of mafias that exist in U.S. beyond the lawful life of a common man.

It is worth noting that movie shows all violence graphically. There are brutal beatings, machine gun killings, betrayals, and bodies soaked in blood. The murders are not so lengthy but their expressions of horror on the victim' faces make it truly gruesome. Nudity and sex is a part of whole melodrama where the focus in on power, money and crime. Michael is back from the World War II to attend his sister Connie Corleone's wedding. Michael is not interested in his father's business and wants to pass a normal life.

A drug dealer Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) who is backed by Tattaglia family in his ventures wants to collaborate with Vito so as to get protection from his political connections and furthering his drug business. Vito is against the drug business that any godfather will be in any civilized society. With the godfather status enjoyed by Vito he refuses to strike any deal with Sollozzo realizing that it may devastate his reputation in the society. This drives Sollozzo crazy and tempts him to lead an assassination attempt on Vito.

While Vito in the hospital, his eldest son Sonny (James Caan) takes rein in his hand and gets Bruno of Tattaglias family killed. Michael hatches a conspiracy and invites Sollozzo and his associate to a restaurant and finishes them successfully. Movie 'The Godfather' reflects about the gang wars, gruesome assassinations, killings and gun throbbing that happen in the real world. After all, it is a power game that causes one gang to fight against another to establish their supremacy and control over business.

It is so spontaneous that business rivalry turns into a personal revenge in no time among two criminally active gangs. Usually, business stake is so much that one is out to finish other in the open gang wars circumventing state laws and regulations.Marlon Brando has played a memorable character called 'The Godfather'. Equally effective have been the roles played by Al Pacino of the youngest son Michael and James Caan playing for Vito's eldest son Sonny. Most of the characters in the movie are fully developed and live as per the expectations of the audience.

The plot in the movie flows smoothly with logic and reasoning that binds the audience with excitement and thrill. It is an irony that Michael who began with the most sober and educated youth finally became most ruthless of the all in the family. It is not palatable that Al Pacino was nominated just for the best supporting actor award while his role as Michael in the movie was dominant and forceful as per the demand of the character. ConclusionVito's line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" made it one of the most popular movie line in American Cinema.

There is no doubt that movie 'The Godfather' impacted American psyche tremendously after its release and masses even today find a solid association somewhere in their life with the character such as Vito – The Godfather.ReferencesCanby, Vincent. The Godfather (1972). The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=EE05E7DF1739E464BC4E52DFB5668389669EDE