Al Pacino as Don Michael Corleone in The Godfather II
The Godfather II is perfect. It’s the perfect film. The fact that Francis Ford Coppola took the greatest film of all time in The Godfather and somehow not only did it again but added another wealth of life to the legend — this wholly unique accomplishment alone was the tipping point for me to pick this film over the first.
No one has done it since. The way the film business and industry has been going since the 80’s leads me to believe it probably will never happen again. I hope I’m wrong.
Revenge of the Don: The Birth of Don Vito Corleone
How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your plans.
Kay: It made me think of what you once told me: “In five years the Corleone family will be completely legitimate.” That was seven years ago.
Michael: I know. I’m trying, darling.
The first time we meet Michael Corleone, he’s a wide eyed kid just out of the military, beautiful fiancee in hand, ready to begin a successful career in the United States government, away from the family business.
In The Godfather II Michael couldn’t be further from his once meticulously laid out life plan. The irony is best laid out early in the film between Michael and Sen. Geary where Michael’s stone cold character is fully established in dealing with someone from a powerful and “legitimate” industry.
The Corleone son who once wanted nothing to do with the family business is not only the head of the family but now more cold hearted than could have ever been imagined. This is all exhibited throughout the film in all the choices Michael makes to consolidate his power. And it culminates in the ultimate choice that forever seals the fate of his soul.
“You broke my heart. You broke my heart!”
The Godfather II is everything America is about. The land of opportunity. The melting pot. The land of self. The land of family. The land of rebirth. The land of blood, sweat and tears.
The Godfather Saga is also about choices. The choices we make in life today may carry the most significant weight in the outcome of our futures. It happens to us everyday. It’s the thought process in how we deal with these decisions I find fascinating and see over and over again in my favorite films as in life. It’s really the greatest and most unique challenge about our lives. Everything else is just filler.
I don’t usually care for award shows but this is The Godfather II!
The only true sequel better than the original.
Thanks for indulging my blatant need to extrapolate on a very selfish endeavor. This is something I discuss with just about anyone who becomes important in my life and I’ve always wondered how my list (and my arguments for it) would play out in the written form.
I could finally put this thing to rest and get back to business at hand. There are some cool things cooking down the pipeline and I can’t wait to share so keep checking back.
Cheers.
cap
July 10, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I disagree Godfather 3 was the best. Come on? Andy Garcia? Sophia Coppola? You know that her role was suppose to be played by Madonna and Julia Roberts that would have been awesome!
July 10, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Oh yeah and the Godfather part 3 had incest cousin love could Godfather 2 beat that?
July 10, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for checking out the post Travis.
You make a very douchy point.
The Godfather 3 was for all intents and purposes, Paramount’s mob-like move on Coppola.
I believe the (truthful) legend goes that Paramount (who owns the franchise) threatened Francis to either make the third movie or lose it to some douchebag hack director and suffer the consequences.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe Mario Puzo had already written a draft of the script and locked in (something about a potential gambling habit gone awry?) so the film was going to be made with or without Coppola.
They made Francis an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Of course I know that you’re being facetious, Travis. But I’m glad to have you check out the post and allow me an opportunity to wax some philosophy regarding The Godfather 3.
Final thought: though overall, The Godfather 3 still pales in comparison to the first two. It isn’t nearly as bad as I remembered it back when I first saw it in the mid 90’s.
But my theory that anything with Joe Mantegna still holds a curse lives on.
Except for “Searching for Bobby Fischer”. That movie kicked ass! “Trick or treat”.
cheers
cap