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The Godfather part 1
The Godfather part 1 attained a world status as an epic film that set the stage for other gangster-depiction films. The film is based on a prominent book that goes by the same name; The Godfather by Mario Puzo. The film has been heralded as one of the greatest films of all times as it occupies the top 500 films of the Empire magazine annually. It has an indelible foundation in the world cinema as it set a new stage for the production and conception of films.
This film describes the feuds and wars that exist between five families in the organized crime sector of New York. The story has killings on both sides of the families as they violently settle their disputes. It also follows the development of Vito Corleone who is worried over handing his business empire to his sons.
There are vital unique aspects that herald this movie as an epic in the production and directing of movies. To begin with, the movie depicted actual human struggles in a high crime family. In another setting, Vito’s family was an ordinary family that expressed the wishes of a father in ensuring the prosperity of one’s lineage. In addition, it depicted, not sensational, but actual human struggles into realizing oneself and providing a purpose to the self. This is because the movie avoided meaningless and endless gun shootings. Every part of the plot struck a meaning to the intended process of the story. In close relation to this concept, there was a clear emphasis on the process, instead of end, of the movie. In the end of the film, it was discernible that there was no clear star character that converged the movie towards a particular direction. The movie operated on a broad base of individuals whose lives were unique and articulated in different perspectives. In the beginning, the audience would have viewed Vito Corleone as the central character. As the plot develops, it is notable that the meek and subtle Michael is developing into a fearless head of a large crime business empire.
The movie entailed proper graphics that effected the contexts and themes of the different scenes. As the movie opens up, it is discernible that the family occupies a serene and garden setting. There is depiction of warmth and familial love in light settings. However, the movie used intense and quick-changing effects in depicting murderous scenes. This was an intention of showcasing different sides, thoughts and emotions of characters as the movie progressed.
The color of the film is principal in setting the mood of different contexts. In the scenes that entail Vito sat as the don in his office, there was mild light that accorded the same a dangerous feel. However, there is enough light that humanized the godfather. The wedding provided the brightest scene in the form of brig costumes which influenced a joyous mood. The major part of the film grounds in dark and gruesome representation of the mob nature.
The key scenes employ graphics, colors and additional effects to portray Michael’s character development. At the restaurant, where Michael expresses a plan to kill Sollozzo and his counterpart, the camera shot projects in a menacing sense. As Michael elucidates the plan to Sonny, the camera advances forward on him. It is notable that Michael does not carete an eye contact with anyone. Through his positioning in the chair, it is discernible that he professes power and authority. As the camera stops moving, Michael blurts that he would kill both Solozzo and his counterpart. This form of camera movement focuses the audience into Michael’s eyes. Since he possesses a monotone voce, his eyes embody the emotion. This is a turning point for Michael whose dark and cold nature effuses. At the killing of Sollozzo and McCluskey, the camera pans to express the intensity in Michael’s eyes. Additionally, complimentary sound effects occur in the form of a squealing train whose breaks’ noise intensifies the experience of the scene.
The movie showcased a wholly different side of crime and dubious businesses. Vito is a powerful and wealthy person who opens the public eye into the true nature of the state. This is, initially, ironical since he is a ruthless and violent man who, sometimes, employs force to attain his needs. The nature of the state contrasts with Corleone’s intrinsic discipline and morality. In the opening scene, a man goes to Vito Corleone in order to attain justice in the case of his daughter who had been beaten up by other people. Corleone points out that that killing an individual is not the best strategy of attaining justice. He emphasizes on friendship, and not payment, as the best strategy for according justice.
The corruption of the state is eminent in the Sollozo’ request, who deems Vito Corleone as a man of powerful connections. This is because Vito easily buys the politicians into granting him favors. However, Vito is an individual who anyone cannot buy. He exercises his violence with restraint, and towards individuals whom he deems as unjust.
The concept of familial love is evoked within the existence of crime and manipulations. Vito Corleone is at the center of family concerns as he worries about the advancement of his son. This occurs at a scene of his daughter’s wedding whereby Vito is a suited up and a decent family man. When Sonny hears of the news that Carlo is mistreating her sister, Connie, he attacks him. At the beginning of the family, Sonny embodies the brutality and vigor that defines a criminal family in the sixties. He, however, loves his family as this manifests in his attempts at saving the sister from the brutal husband.
The theme of this movie centralizes between the character of Vito Corleone and Michael Corleone. Vito Corleone is a strong, rational and standard leader. While he is strong in his businesses, he is caring and soft to his family. While he is an honest person who keeps his word, he turns brutal when someone interferes with his plans. However, emotions considerably control Michael as he strives after avenging the death of his father. While Vito is spending his life’s last minutes with his grandson, Michael is hatching a plan to kill the family’s enemies. Vito has a static character of a man of whom individuals fear but also need. He strives to keep peace with other families who had threatened and killed his son. Michael is, on the other hand, a dynamic character who switches his caring character to a ruthless individual. Michael conceals a dark side that surfaces in his murder for all the New York dons.
The Godfather is a robust story from the beginning of the plot to the end. It follows the character development and change of Michael, which serves to draw the audience’s attention. It also possesses a simple cinematography that is effectively visceral. The acting is sincere and realistic and this lends credibility to the portrayal of the crime families in the 1960’s.
