film #2

The Godfather Part II

There are lots of moments that make beautiful, elegant parallels with the first one.

The scenes with Fredo fishing- heartbreaking. You realize he's so much better, so much more beloved as an uncle than Michael is as a father. After looking at Fredo largely as a fool for the two films, you realize the depth of his kindness, how he succeeds in a facet of life in which so many of these other characters fail- as a genuinely good soul.

This is a much more interesting film than the first one, in terms of historical context… the attention paid to old Little Italy, to the Cuban Revolution, the investigations of the mafia and the growth of Las Vegas as a center of Mafia power, Hyman Roth as an analogue of Meyer Lansky. Historically speaking, a fascinating film.

Vito truly is the "life" of the film… his half of the story is so vibrant and compelling- a season of birth, as opposed to the main storyline of death and decline. DeNiro is so perfect in the role- it's a perfect Brando impression and yet he makes the character his own, as well. Vito's confrontation with the old man, the moment of vengeance… fascinating. Fascinating to se that old man, so deteriorated, so weak- you can be an evil strongman, a force of nature, but age will take your power. It is an inevitable fate.

a few criticisms: You never really feel Kay's presence, or why she matters… the end is pretty powerful- the parallel moment of the door closing is pretty powerful- but I never really care about Michael's family and his personal life failures, until the end. Also, the chronology is a little awkward, a little inconsistent between the films (I'm pretty sure Vito died in 1955, and this movie takes place in 1958, but it's supposed to be ten years since Vito's death.)

The last scene of the film is so hauntingly beautiful- that flashback. A startling reminder of the joy that once existed in the family, the innocent, sweet, youthful Michael that once existed (but still with a hint of the isolation and frustration that will someday overcome him.) Only Fredo is happy for him, the brother he will destroy. And the absence of Vito is striking- it makes the scene so much better. It's incredible that the scene wasn't originally planned that way, because it's so heartachingly perfect. And in the very final scene- Michael in his bleak, contemplative silence. Haunting and perfect.