"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
The Godfather had been a phenomenon when it was released in 1972. Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece was an adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel which introduced audiences to the inner workings of one of the world's most organised crime syndicates: the Sicilian Mafia. It was clear after it's huge success that the film cried for a sequel.
Coppola's screenplay incorporated an ingenious double story that acted as both a sequel and a prequel. One of the parallelling stories showed the growing ruthlessness and isolation of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) whilst the other told the tale of his father Vito's childhood and the birth of the Corleone Family in the New York of the early 1900s. It showed Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) as a dapper urban Robin Hood, siding with widows against rapacious landlords, and even disposing of a local Mafia
Capo for the good of the Italian American community. For contrast, Michael, in the modern day sequences, is shown to be pitiless, scheming and disposes anyone who gets in his way in a cold and calculating manner.
With Michael being such a negative character, Coppola used DeNiro as a winning personality within the movie; a character we would root for and want to succeed. Having originally gone through screen tests for the original Godfather movie, DeNiro was Coppola's first choice to play the young Vito. Originally, Marlon Brando showed an interest in reprising the role of Vito. However, he was denied this due to his refusal to accept his Academy Award for the first film as a protest against the misrepresentation of Native Americans in film. Although Brando was willing to lose the weight to play the young version of his now iconic portrayal of the Godfather, Paramount Pictures refused and let him go.
Coppola decided to shoot both characters as if they were two separate films. Coppola's production designer, Dean Tavoularis, took over an entire block of New York and transformed it into Little Italy at the end of the First World War. The street became an open market and this was where Vito's story would unfold. Except from petty larency, and the murder of the local Mafia enforcer Fannuci (Gastone Moschin,) Vito never kills, in contrast to Michael, who, pale, subdued, expressionless, malevolent, climbs to power over the bodies of his rivals. As a result, Vito is one of DeNiro's least characteristic roles. We never see the fury that underlines Vito's success as a criminal. Neat, soft spoken, usually smiling, he glides through life, making no waves, disturbing nobody.
What really makes this film great however is DeNiro's attention to detail. From learning the Italian language (he does not speak a single word of English throughout the film) as well as practising Brando's habit of lightly touching his left cheek with the tips of his fingers, and developing a version of Brando's rasping voice, DeNiro perfectly captured the character and was more than worthy of receiving an Academy Award for Best supporting Actor.
However, that does not mean to say that Al Pacino's depiction of Michael should be pushed to the side. The entire premise of the Godfather Trilogy revolves around Michael Corleone. From originally not wanting anything to do with the family business, to becoming the most powerful Mafia Boss in the United States, Pacino captures the role of the Tragic Hero convincingly. Unlike Vito, who appears at ease in the role of Godfather, Michael is burdened by the responsibility. It appears that he views himself as a sacrificial hero, slaving away for the rest of the family, sacrificing his soul for the well being of those around him. This alone makes Michael just as memorable as both Brando's and DeNiro's depictions of Vito.
The Godfather: Part II perfectly captures the dark side of the American Dream. It's themes of survival, family and corruption make it an unforgettable gangster classic. It is argued that Part II is one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history, and as such it has been cemented in the public's consciousness as well as pop culture. Even those who have not see the film know the characters, the quotes and even certain scenes. With well written and developed characters, intriguing story and relatable themes, The Godfather: Part II is arguably the greatest gangster film ever created.
