The Godfather is well renowned film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film has many components that make it a good film. For example, the fascinating dialect in the movie, one of my favorite lines is from the Godfather: “What have I ever done to make you treat me so
disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this scum that wounded your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.” The Godfather’s appearance was also intriguing, especially after his eyes were edited, so that they would
appear dark throughout the entire film. By contrasting his eyes this made the Godfather appear to be tough and unpredictable. Furthermore, there is the unforgettable soundtrack that occurred throughout this movie. The scorn was also significant, the instruments would play right before a death scene or during a death scene. For instance, when one of the most dramatic death scenes occurred, it happened during a church baptism. As the church organ increased in sound (prior to the death sense) this added an uneasy emotional feeling within to the audience. This scene was also interesting for the reason that baptism symbolizes a new birth of life, and the irony of having so many people die at the same time. Another scene that supports new life was when Vito Corleone was actively playing with his grandson, then dies of an unexpected heart attack. This symbolizes how the old generation is dying and the new generation is emerging. Of course we have to recognize the irony in this scene as well, how that Vito Corleone dies from an unexpected heart attack, but lives after being shot multiple times.
The Godfather was based on Italian heritage, this was interesting for I am half Italian and my father’s side of the family is full Italian. Some characteristic that are true with the film’s
interpretation of Italian culture is family. Italian families for the most part are very close; I remember before my grandmother died, every Sunday we would have a family dinner. Family stayed true in the film, for instance, when Michael Corleone chewed his brother for siding with someone else besides the family. We can even look at the larger picture, how that the entire movie functioned as a family business. Another scene that demonstrates the importance
of family was when Michael Corleone was very forward in asking Kay to marry him, so they could start a family. Food is critical in Italians families, it’s part of our culture. I remember during family functions the women spending long hours preparing large quantities of food: pasta, spaghetti, bread, salad, fruit, and wine! Wine is also part of Italian culture, growing up my grandmother would mix wine in my father’s water. In the film every time an adult was drinking a beverage it was always wine. The women were also constantly in the kitchen cooking. Italian culture it is a norm to have large families, boys were also usually viewed as being higher than women. My father had three other siblings; my grandmother had 11 other siblings. I have been told that in older Italian culture men were looked at as being more important than women. The Corleone was also a huge family. In the Godfather, there were many occurrences of women being treated poorly, like when Kay asked about the family business and Michael yelled at her, or when Carlo beat his wife with his belt. Being Catholic is so prevalent in Italian culture, when I visited Italy Catholic Churches seem to exist on every block. In the film, there were many connections to being Catholic; during Vito funeral people would perform the Catholic hand signal.
appear dark throughout the entire film. By contrasting his eyes this made the Godfather appear to be tough and unpredictable. Furthermore, there is the unforgettable soundtrack that occurred throughout this movie. The scorn was also significant, the instruments would play right before a death scene or during a death scene. For instance, when one of the most dramatic death scenes occurred, it happened during a church baptism. As the church organ increased in sound (prior to the death sense) this added an uneasy emotional feeling within to the audience. This scene was also interesting for the reason that baptism symbolizes a new birth of life, and the irony of having so many people die at the same time. Another scene that supports new life was when Vito Corleone was actively playing with his grandson, then dies of an unexpected heart attack. This symbolizes how the old generation is dying and the new generation is emerging. Of course we have to recognize the irony in this scene as well, how that Vito Corleone dies from an unexpected heart attack, but lives after being shot multiple times.
The Godfather was based on Italian heritage, this was interesting for I am half Italian and my father’s side of the family is full Italian. Some characteristic that are true with the film’s
interpretation of Italian culture is family. Italian families for the most part are very close; I remember before my grandmother died, every Sunday we would have a family dinner. Family stayed true in the film, for instance, when Michael Corleone chewed his brother for siding with someone else besides the family. We can even look at the larger picture, how that the entire movie functioned as a family business. Another scene that demonstrates the importance
of family was when Michael Corleone was very forward in asking Kay to marry him, so they could start a family. Food is critical in Italians families, it’s part of our culture. I remember during family functions the women spending long hours preparing large quantities of food: pasta, spaghetti, bread, salad, fruit, and wine! Wine is also part of Italian culture, growing up my grandmother would mix wine in my father’s water. In the film every time an adult was drinking a beverage it was always wine. The women were also constantly in the kitchen cooking. Italian culture it is a norm to have large families, boys were also usually viewed as being higher than women. My father had three other siblings; my grandmother had 11 other siblings. I have been told that in older Italian culture men were looked at as being more important than women. The Corleone was also a huge family. In the Godfather, there were many occurrences of women being treated poorly, like when Kay asked about the family business and Michael yelled at her, or when Carlo beat his wife with his belt. Being Catholic is so prevalent in Italian culture, when I visited Italy Catholic Churches seem to exist on every block. In the film, there were many connections to being Catholic; during Vito funeral people would perform the Catholic hand signal.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the film it reminded me of my heritage; nevertheless, the film was telling the unforgettable American story: fleeing from hardship, and obtaining a successful career in American. This is actually very similar to what happened to my grandfather; he left Italy after the WW2, and started a successful career in American as a barber.
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