Rent The Godfather Part II on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo (screenplay by), Mario Puzo (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Mariana Hill, Lee Strasberg
Rated: R
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Plot
In the 1920s Vito Corleone is introduced to a life of crime while in 1958 Michael Corleone expands his grip on the family crime syndicate.
Verdict
This is such a well made movie; every scene, each glance, the lighting; all of it creates an atmosphere as we watch Michael consolidate his power in the present and his father Vito begin his empire in the past. Vito gains power, influence, and friends. While Michael's empire expands, he only becomes more isolated. We watch his emotionless calculations as he charts a path to victory. You could call it the rise and fall, but Michael is successful with his empire, it just costs him his family.
Watch It.
Review
As for the debate for which is better, and the general consensus seems to be Part II, I prefer The Godfather. It introduces us to this under world that has it's own language as we see what it takes to hold your ground and succeed. The subtext is the entrepreneurial spirit of America and the subversion of traditional means. One of the first lines is, "I believe in America." The second movie is darker. We see Michael fend off attacks, both physical and political, contrasted with Vito beginning his business that would continue to expand. Both generations win in blood, and Michael is reaping what his father planted. Vito's first murder cemented what this family would do to best their enemies. Vito begins the business and a family. While Michael expands the empire, by the time his story winds down he's alone and isolated having sacrificed his family for dominance. This builds on the first movie where we saw Vito broker peace with his enemies and in this one Michael doesn't rest until everyone that has wronged the family is gone. In the final scene, he's the only one in the family left. The first movie helps elevate the second with the inherent comparison.
This starts in 1901 with Vito Andolini, who would later become Vito Corleone, as a boy in Sicily. His parents are dead by the hands of the local don, and Vito escapes to America.
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| Al Pacino plays Michael Corleone |
In 1958 Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) lives in Nevada, expanding the family's stake in Las Vegas casinos and hotels. He's conducting business during a party at his home. Even his sister Connie (Talia Shire) must wait in line to see him. One scene tells us all about her. She wants to pretend she's independent, but she relies on Michael and is probably resentful of his success. Despite being the youngest, Michael is head of the family, ruling with a staid calm. We see how ruthlessly he operates, and it's contrasted with Vito (Robert De Niro) now in New York. They start at different points, though both are quiet and observant.
Michael looks to expand the family, but he must always look over his shoulder due to his position of power. He faces the fact that family betrayed him, even if it's a matter of degrees. We decipher the odds and threats along with Michael. Who attacked him? He feigns peace with everyone until he can determine the who. The movie doesn't hold your hand, you need to be invested. With Michael's expansion, we see Vito establish his position. He realizes the local don is weak and sees an advantage. What a scene as he waits in the shadows to cement his legacy.
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| Robert De Niro plays Vito Corleone |
With the length and structure this is two movies. Switching between Vito and Michael robs each story of momentum, but the contrast and dynamic is what adds interest. This is a sequel and prequel in one. I've seen it described as the rise of the family under Vito and the fall with Michael, but Michael is successful. He only expands the business, but it is the failing of his relationships. In tandem with business his greed and ego also increase, but he grows more isolated. It's a matter of degree. Vito and Michael both killed, in this movie and the first one. Michael doesn't just want to beat the competition, he wants to dominate and eliminate. The original introduced us to the world. Part II assumes we know it, relying on the audience having watched the first.
Vito grows in prominence and wealth while Michael is on trial. He denies the crimes we know are true, but there's no proof. The investigative committee claims to have a witness. Even if you don't know the who, you know Michael brought someone important that the witness Pentangeli knows, and that leads to him recanting his statements. Michael is free to go.
With both stories, it's what you do to survive and thrive. The bigger the Corleone family grows, the more danger. Michael's a target because of his vast influence. His cold calculation is that enemies can't attack you when you eliminate them. Towards the end Michael determines who attacked him at the beginning of the movie, and he wants the culprit to face consequences. Tom questions Michael, telling him they've already won, but Michael is never content just to win. It's a nod to the first movie when Michael took his first step in the criminal enterprise. He stated in the first movie, it wasn't personal it's business. Then and now, it's personal. It's ego. Winning isn't enough.
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