Ode to The Godfather (1 & 2)
Talk about a movie that has withstood the test of time. Based on the book by Mario Puzo, this book was made into 2 movies (the 3rd movie wasn’t as good but was still okay). I will have to say, I much prefer the movies by Francis Ford Coppola over the book. The movies are acting masterpieces with acting legends Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert DeNiro all in their prime. I’ve seen this movie countless times.
For anyone who has been under a rock for the last 50 years, the story is about a Sicilian American crime family aka the Italian mafia during the 40s, led by patriarch Don Vito Corleone played by Brando and their chilling rise as the family business transitions to his sons. And the characters exemplify being strong for their family.
There are so many great scenes, terms and quotes that it’s become part of the vernacular.
Or “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” after one of their killings. Or “he has a good heart, but he is weak and he is stupid and this is life and death.” Or “you’re nothing to me now. You’re not a brother or a friend. I don’t want to know you or what you do.” Or “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” Or most famously, “make them an offer they can’t refuse”, where you make a deal backed up by the threat of violence.
“It’s not impossible. Nothing’s impossible. If there is anything in this life that is certain, if history has taught us anything, is that you can kill anyone.”
It’s even used & commented on in other shows and movies like “You’ve Got Mail”. Terms we know like “going to the mattresses”, aka going to war, are fully detailed and explained in Billions the tv show by the hedge fund Tycoon.
I think every man is entranced by this story because it shows a world of respect, power, ambition and violence that most of us are fortunate to never experience. So many plots and conspiracies inside and outside the family.
“See, all our people are businessmen. Their loyalty is based on that. One thing I learned from pop….was to try to think like people around you think. On that basis anything is possible.”
There are bad people in the world and the organized crime world is one where betrayal abounds, you have to be on top of everything and where you cannot be careless. Carelessness leads to instant death. Kind of like corporate life without the killing. The art of smiling and being calm while knowing everyone around you is a potential rival trying to take you down and climb over you.
But I think why the movie is ultimately so enduring is that it’s ultimately a story about family and love. Michael, the decorated war hero & youngest son being groomed for legitimacy and powerful political roles, sacrifices his soul for protecting his father and family.
We see the darkness seep into his personality, his ruthlessness and his cold bloodedness. But he settles all the scores for his family. All of their vendettas achieved. When asked by his consigliere “just consider it. Roth and the Rosatos are on the run. Is it worth it? You’ve won. Do you have to wipe everyone out?”
Michael answers: “I don’t feel like I need to wipe everyone out. Just my enemies, that’s all.”
He becomes the ultimate head of the most powerful mafia family, a capo, a crime lord, what he dreads in the beginning of the movie when he swears to want nothing to do with the family business. It’s an incredible sacrifice that comes with a massive price as we see the series continue. I guess this is something we all learn eventually, there is always a price to pay for what we do, even with the best of intentions. By being strong for the family he would ultimately lose his family.
There is so much depth in this movie that you see something new everytime you watch it. I may need to watch these again :).
