Hollywood Rewind | The Godfather Part II: A sequel like no other

“Oh, Michael. Michael, you are blind. It wasn’t a miscarriage. It was an abortion. An abortion, Michael. Just like our marriage is an abortion. Something that’s unholy and evil. I didn’t want your son, Michael! I wouldn’t bring another one of your sons into this world. And I had it killed because this must all end!” says Diane Keaton’s Kay Adams in one of the vital chilling moments of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Half II. The primary line right here that Kay utters in full despair and quiet rage is, “Michael, you are blind.” The irony is powerful right here. Don Michael Corleone (performed with finesse by the incomparable Al Pacino) is something however blind. He's an alert, aggressive man who's devastating when he loses his cool. And on this sequence when he's knowledgeable by his spouse that she had their baby aborted, he's furious. His eyes bulge out of its sockets, his body is silently shaking in suppressed anger. Michael Corleone can not consider what he's listening to, fooled and ‘betrayed’ by his personal spouse. It's a disgrace to his ‘hyper-masculinity’ and intelligence.

The 1974 film is made up of many such nice and small components. Considered one of many benchmarks of western cinema, particularly so within the crime style, The Godfather II is commonly touted as a greater movie than its prequel, The Godfather, which is a masterpiece in itself. What makes this sequel-prequel much more fascinating than its predecessor is its therapy of a rooted, acquainted narrative. We already knew in regards to the Corleone household and the brand new dynamics since Vito Corleone’s (essayed by Marlon Brando) demise. So what novel concepts might the filmmaker convey to the desk now? That was a problem, and administrators ceaselessly and sadly, fail to rise to the event. Nevertheless, Francis Ford Coppola belongs to a special ilk. On the time, he already had Paramount Footage and producers vying for his consideration, providing him a stupendous sum of money to take up the undertaking and churn yet one more hit. And what a job he did! Not solely was The Godfather II capable of match the cinematic model and wit of the primary film, it even managed to outdo it in some sequences.

Take, for example, the younger Vito Corleone angle. The casting of ‘rising star’ Robert De Niro, the selection to make The Godfather II a non-linear narrative on the time it was launched, spending a lot cash on its manufacturing and as soon as once more making a 200-minute film — these have been all dangers that paid handsomely. Right here is an fascinating trivia about De Niro and the trouble he put in to drag off a younger Vito aka Brando. In accordance with IMDB, the Oscar-winning star spent 4 months studying the Sicilian dialect. The devoted actor even spent a couple of months residing within the village, attempting to adapt himself to its environment. Apparently, De Niro was solid for a job within the first a part of the franchise, which he had refused then. After all, the actor was seen in movies previous to The Godfather II, but it surely was its phenomenal success that led him to star in acclaimed motion pictures like Taxi Driver, Deer Hunter and Raging Bull, amongst others.

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Speaking about his expertise of working within the movie, Robert De Niro instructed CNN that he had taken on The Godfather II function as an ‘experiment’ of types, however the actor additionally had a intestine feeling that the film may make massive cash. “Godfather II was the first that I remember (from my filmography), that was like a big blockbuster. Then came other movies. I might have this wrong, like some of the Spielberg films and so on, but when (The Godfather II) came, I said this might be a good chance that it’ll be a success,” stated the actor.

The Godfather Half II is lifted by its well-woven screenplay, compelling performances and spectacular cinematography. Each motion, each expression is filmed with precision. The digital camera appeared particularly in love with Al Pacino’s eyes. Michael Corleone, an in any other case calm and chilly individual, spoke volumes by means of his deep-set eyes and the feelings have been caught by the cinematographer Gordon Willis. And a particular shout out to Diane Keaton for making her presence felt in an overwhelmingly male-dominated story, regardless of the quick display time.

You may watch The Godfather Half II on Amazon Prime Video.