The Godfather Part II (1974): Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Nevada, 1958. Michael Corleone has ascended to the throne as the new Don of the Corleone family. After the massacre of his mafia enemies and Moe Green at the end of part I, the Corleone clan run organized crime in New York and also own a good percentage of casinos in Las Vegas. He is also attempting to cut in on the casino business in pre-Castro Havana, Cuba in a deal with Hyman Roth (Method acting legend Lee Strasberg), a very old friend of Michael’s father, who isn’t necessarily as loyal to Michael as he was to Vito. Along the way, Frankie Pentagelli (Michael V. Gazzo), a “family” member also loyal to Vito for years, feels cheated under Michael’s regime, and after he is almost killed, turns federal witness and Michael is forced to attend hearings and answer questions in front of a federal committee.

But the Godfather Part II is not merely about the plight of Michael; we also see the story of young Sicilian immigrant Vito (Robert DeNiro, speaking mostly only Italian in the role) and how he rose from an impoverished immigrant to the powerful Don Vito Corleone. Interweaving the two narratives, Coppola shows us a father who builds a crime family to provide for his true family, whereas his son tears his real family apart to protect the family business. The juxtaposition between the two men’s stories, along with the final scene (a flashback to December 7, 1941), displays the tragedy that is the character of Michael Corleone and how he all but dissolves his family.

And by the end, Michael has become one of the most cold, calculating, despicable human beings in film history. His lust for power and money drive him to ruthless measures, more so than in the previous film. Pacino just doesn’t play Michael Corleone in this film, he becomes him. In some scenes, just looking at him can make you feel the hollow void of what used to be a man but has become Satan personified. Those dark brown eyes and non-emotive expressions tell you nothing about Michael, but everything at the same time.

But once again, his performance is matched pound for pound by the surrounding cast members. It’s almost uncanny how DeNiro used Brando’s performance to create a younger Vito Corleone, but his performance is much, much more than an impersonation. Strasberg, Gazzo and the remainder of the returning cast members (Keaton, Duvall, Shire) are all uniformly excellent as well, most notably John Cazale as Fredo. In the first film, Fredo is portrayed mostly as a dunce with his heart in the right place. But in this one, we see another side of Fredo. The character is opened to show how pitiful and sad he is. The scene between Fredo and Michael in New York, where Fredo is lying on the couch as Michael sits at his desk, is pure powerhouse. Their dialogue exchange—between Fredo’s vulnerability and Michael’s callousness—is just a showcase of great acting. Cazale was a true talent that passed way before his time.

I could go on forever about this movie, but in closing I’ll just add that I love how writer Mario Puzo created this crime family, but other characters are based on real people and real events. Johnny Fontane = Frank Sinatra; Moe Green = Bugsy Siegel; Hyman Roth = Meyer Lansky, etc. Puzo blends these characters so well with the Corleones that in many ways this film can be labeled historical fiction. Just a psychologically fascinating and textured film on so many levels, challenged only by The Empire Strikes Back as the greatest cinematic sequel ever made.

“I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.”



Previous Movies of the Week:

#1: Gladiator
#2: The Passion of the Christ
#3: Cool Hand Luke
#4: Fight Club
#5: American Beauty
#6: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
#7: Goodfellas
#8: Boogie Nights
#9: American Psycho
#10: Dr. Strangelove
#11: Dog Day Afternoon
#12: Unforgiven
#13: 2001: A Space Odyssey
#14: Do the Right Thing
#15: Reservoir Dogs
#16: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
#17: L.A. Confidential
#18: Big Trouble in Little China
#19: Out of Sight
#20: The Shawshank Redemption
#21: The Waterboy
#22: Field of Dreams
#23: The Godfather

man, i can never decide if i like part one or part two better... but these two films are what makes me appreciate film so much.

The thread for part 3 is gonna be interesting.

I saw this one beofre I saw the first film, and I don't know how much that has affected my opinions, but I have much more love for number 2 thatn number 1. I especially love the DeNiro scenes, and understanding how Vito came to be The Godfather. That scene with him running over the rooftops following The White Hat through that festa is among the greatest scenes ever put on film.

Respect to Bruno Kirby for his portrayal of young Clemenza, another role almost entirely in Italian.

I love the scenes when we see Vito as a young man working his way up. It's probably those flashbacks that makes this my favourite of the Godfather movies. I have to put aside a day or two to rewatch these, since they're grand movies.

I was watching the first Godfather yesterday with a buddy of mine and we were trying to decide which movie was better(the 1st or 2nd). We both couldn't come up with a difinitive answer until we started talking about Fredo and how he dicked Mikey. Anyway, we couldn't figure out exactly what Fredo told Johnny Olaf. 'Hey Johnny, Mikey sleeps in his bed at night, there's some info for you!" It's minor but it's something we couldn't figure out. Anybody?

Both the first and second films are in a close race, but the fact that DeNiro is in this one makes it my favorite.

great write up, frank.

Great film, but not my favorite Godfather, which is I. With Part II, I prefer the plot focusing on young Vito over the plot focusing on Michael, though both are great storylines. What I will say about Part II being better than I is that it is a little bit more masterfully directed, I think. It seems like a slightly better done film in some ways. Overall, I pick the first though.

so can anybody answer my question?

I have never seen either of the Godfather sequels.

I love that part when Michael is talking to his sister at the beginning and tells her to stop dating shit face, and shit face chimes in a few times and Michael just glares and pretends the guy isn't there haha...oh hell i wish i had that sort of power.

I doubt anyone but Mario Puzo and/or Francis Ford Coppola could answer that one with any certainty. My guess is Fredo helped in the entire assassination plot even though he claimed he didn't. The Congressional Committee stuff shows that Fredo was in at least somewhat deeper than he admitted. I think he wanted to be head of the family and the only way to do so was to cooperate with Roth.

hmmm...could be. Thanks Pete

One of my favorite movies ever.
(good work Frank..)

I think it's a little better than Part 1, certainly for Michael's storyline. Absolutely love the congressional hearings and the scenes of the cuban revolution. Diane Keaton really shines in this movie as the standout performance to me, it's certainly what made me fall in love with her as an actress (best film actress ever, people). The scene where Kay tells Michael that she aborted their baby still sends chills down my spine, every single time. Un bee lievable.

When he shuts the door on Kay haha...oh that's great

i enjoyed this, but part I definitely grabbed me better.

one of the few sequels that are better than the first one...


kp