This Is the Biggest Flaw in ‘The Godfather’

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As a lifelong cinephile with a soft spot for mob movies, I can confidently say that The Godfather is a true masterpiece. It’s like a finely aged bottle of wine – rich, complex, and timeless. However, there’s one thing about it that has always nagged at me like a loose thread on an Armani suit: the lack of interaction between Vito and Michael Corleone.

The Godfather is universally recognized as one of the finest movies ever created, a true cinematic masterwork. Adapted from Mario Puzo’s top-selling novel, it delves into the Corleone crime family’s power struggle during the 1940s in New York City. In this film, legendary director Francis Ford Coppola skillfully portrays a timeless family saga encompassing love, respect, honor, and violence.

The Godfather showcases a stellar ensemble, as recognized by many today, featuring actors like Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall. Notably, it provided John Cazale and Diane Keaton their breakout film roles. Lastly, let’s not forget the legendary Marlon Brando, who masterfully portrayed Don Vito Corleone, one of the most enduring gangster and character depictions in cinematic history.

Brando’s acting performance won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. In addition, The Godfather garnered several other notable awards from the Academy, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score for its enchanting theme. Almost everything about The Godfather is flawless, but there’s one significant issue that could have enhanced it further.

Michael and Vito Barely Interact in the Film

Initially, The Godfather suggests that Vito favors his youngest son, Michael (portrayed by Al Pacino). In contrast to his siblings, Michael chose a different path, distancing himself from the family’s criminal activities and taking lives. This was acceptable to the Don, who envisioned his youngest child growing up to be a governor or senator, manipulating power from behind the scenes. However, against the Don’s expectations, Michael eventually becomes entangled in the family business and ultimately assumes Vito’s position as boss.

The bond between Vito and Michael, portrayed as father and son, forms the core of “The Godfather”. However, surprisingly, these significant characters have minimal interactions throughout the film. In fact, they only share three substantial scenes together, excluding their appearance in Connie’s wedding family photo. Notably, their first interaction doesn’t happen until more than an hour into the movie, and in this scene, Vito is mostly unconscious and remains silent.

Approximately an hour and a half into the film, we witness their second scene together, where Michael has taken over as the Don and Vito serves as his advisor. However, they don’t exchange any dialogue during this scene; instead, their only interaction is a tender pat on the shoulder from Vito at the end of their meeting. It’s not until about 15 minutes later that we see our first meaningful conversation between these characters, which doesn’t occur until two hours and thirty minutes into the movie.

The Movie Could’ve Benefited from More Michael and Vito Interactions

It would have been advantageous to include more conversations between Vito and Michael in The Godfather, as it would have provided a deeper understanding of their relationship. A scene where they interact following Connie’s wedding does exist, but was not included in the final cut. In this deleted scene, we discover that Vito disapproves of Michael’s military commitments, yet supports his ambition to further his education, hinting at “big plans” for his favored son. This scene could have been retained in the film, as it would have enriched the portrayal of their relationship by offering additional context, history, and depth.

Initially, I distanced myself from the family’s business matters, but surprisingly, I found myself abandoning my once virtuous lifestyle, engaging in cold-blooded killings, and usurping the role of Don. A more thorough exploration of Vito and my relationship might have offered a clearer understanding of this transformation.

From my perspective, wouldn’t it be more engaging to have Michael and Vito, the main characters, interact earlier in the story? Throughout the beginning, we just hear the Don repeatedly call out for Michael. When Michael finally shows up at Connie’s wedding, we see Vito observing him from his office window. Yet, we never witness these two significant figures share a greeting or an embrace. In contrast, Vito interacts warmly with his godson, Johnny Fontane, who appears to be a less prominent character.

What’s the duration between Vito and Michael meeting up? It lasts an hour. As for their substantial discussion, that stretches over two and a half hours. Notably, Brando and Pacino are revered actors, and their single significant scene together is often considered the film’s best highlight. Aren’t we all craving to witness more of these talented individuals collaborating, offering us even more memorable instances?

Brando and Pacino’s Relationship Off-Camera

You may be curious about why Marlon Brando and Al Pacino shared limited screen time in “The Godfather”. Contrary to popular speculation, they were not feuding or disliking each other. In fact, as a budding actor embarking on his first significant role, Pacino held nothing but admiration for his fellow cast members in the film, including Brando, who provided him with encouragement and support. Their bond was particularly strong on set. In an interview with the New York Times in 2022, Pacino referred to Brando as a brother and an influence, someone he deeply respected as an actor. It was also under Brando’s inspiration that Pacino decided to protest the Oscars – the very same year “The Godfather” won numerous awards.

In conclusion, “The Godfather” is undeniably one of the best films ever produced. It’s a piece that transcends time, captivating audiences for years to come. Yet, it’s worth noting that the movie could have been even more impactful if Michael and Vito had shared more on-screen moments.

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2024-12-15 19:34