The movie that I am going to describe today does not need the introduction of an adiagr. To begin with let me describe certain things about this movie, any one of which in itself is good enough reason to view any movie:
Nominated for eleven Oscar categories
Won six out of above eleven
This movie was the only sequel to win a Best Picture Oscar
Best Director Oscar
Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar
Best Music Score
Best Supporting actor Oscar for Robert DeNiro
A Robert DeNiro movie
A Francis Ford Coppola Movie
An Al Pacino movie
If one has to see what film making is, what level of sincerity and commitment is required in this oft-ridiculed profession, what attention to tiny details means, what background music is all about, what good script means, one should watch this movie.
If one wants to know the parent movie, which firmly established the idea of anti-hero as a protagonist in movies not only in Hollywood but also in the entire filmmaking world, one should watch this movie (along with Godfather).
The Plot
In my previous reviews I was not very inclined to discuss the plot in great detail. However, for this movie I found it very difficult to discuss my thoughts about the movie without describing the plot. So here it goes......
## GENERAL IDEA ##
It would be better to recall the plot of the movie Godfather here for the sake of clarity. In Godfather the story initiates with Vito Corleone (Played by Marlon Brando) at the peak of his powers as the most powerful mafia don. How circumstances force his reluctant son Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino), to join in the murky family business and how the son finally manages to stamp his authority in the underworld after the death of his father, formed the core of that movie.
Godfather II takes a look at the two completely different phases of the lives of these two individuals. There are two parallel plots. Both totally independent of each other. One shows the ascending incline of the mountain. The early life of Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro in this movie) is depicted in this part. How he achieves the peak of his profession as the head of the most powerful mafia gang in USA, from an immigrant orphan form the basis of this plot. In the descending incline of the mountain, the life of Michael Corleone (again played by Al Pacino), after he has consolidated his position as a mafia leader is explored.
## ACTUAL PLOT ##
In the plot pertaining to Vito, his early life and its beginning has been depicted. How his life began as an immigrant from Italy, from where he was sent by relatives after his father, elder brother and mother were killed by a Sicillian Don. How young Vito maintained his cool and calm under adverse circumstances and how he slowly used his wits, his composed nature to become an influential man, is shown in a extremely well connected plot. The plot finally culminates with Vito taking his revenge from the Sicillian Don right there in Sicily.
In the plot pertaining to Michael Corleone is shown at the peak of his powers, he is celebrating the birthday of his son Anthony, attended by a lot of influential persons including the US senator of Nevada. The party involves fun, music, fanfare on one hand and shady deals between the Mafia(represented by Michael) and Politicians (represented by the senator)on the other. The seemingly normal routine of the movie gets a sudden jolt with the assassination attempt on Michael. This one incident sets the tone of this plot.
From this moment onwards, tumultuous period of the Corleone family begins. Michael is shaken, but is equally resolved to find the main person behind this attempt. His gut feeling is that somebody very close to him has betrayed him. Coupled with this disturbing thought are the increased differences with his wife Kay, who hates this shady business and wants to have no contact whatsoever with this murky world. From the third side Michael and his illegal business also comes under judicial probes. Adding to this is the constant pressure of other mafia groups who want to remove him from the pinnacle.
How Michael finally is able to come through this cobweb of ambition, hate, doubt; how his single-minded quest for supremacy takes him away from his wife, his children is depicted in this part.
A beautiful balance has been made between two plots: one indicating the slow and steady growth in the power of Vito and the other track indicating the insecurities, the doubts, the challenges which disturb a seemingly all powerful mafia don.
## Acting of Robert De Niro ##
In Godfather II Robert De Niro has played the part of Vito Corleone which was previously played by Marlon Brando in Godfather. We must keep in mind that Marlon Brando had got best actor Oscar for similar role in Godfather. And what an acting it was, just by his looks, his bearing and his pauses, Brando was able to generate that AURA befitting an omnipotent Don. That marvellous performance of Brando was no doubt an added pressure on De Niro to rise upto the exprectations.
To his credit De Niro has completely internalised the character of Vito Corleone as played by Marlon Brando. The pauses, the style of walking, the husky voice, the grave accent, all these were put forth in the most subtle manner. I must insist here that it was not a mere mimicry but a sincere effort of first order that was required to recreate a certain acting style entirely on a new footing. It is to his credit that he was able to redevelop that aura around Vito Corleone which was originally developed by Brando. De Niro's acting is really worth watching not only for inspiring actors but also for anyone who wants to see a piece of art. The amount of effort that has been put by him is really inspiring, there is no other word for it....
He was justifiably given best oscar for supporting role
## Acting of Al Pacino ##
Al Pacino was given Oscar much later in his acting life for the scent of a woman. In my opinion if there was one role that deserved an Oscar it was that played superbly by Al Pacino. Unlike his acting in ''The Scent of a woman'', Pacino plays this role in a much more subtle and intense manner.
The ruthlessness and the single-minded pursuit towards absolute power of a megalomaniac can be seen in his eyes. His vacant expressions, his body language and his superb portrayal of a person just on the verge of emotional collapse at the time of crisis have been portrayed in a superb manner. If one has to see one movie, in which an actor has conveyed so much by mere expressions, Al Pacino's acting is worth a look.
## Background music ##
The background music is the connecting link between two plots. Similar music appears when both father and son are in similar situations. Whenever Micheal is in contemplative mood, thinking about his challenges, the calm and serene background music accentuates his sense of isolation. As the movie switches from one plot to other, oscillating from past to present and then reverting back, the music slowly carries the change through.
Final comments:
The best part of the movie is that it always leaves something for you to think. When you come to later scenes, the full gravity of a certain sentence casually said previously dawns upon. The aura, the thrill of being a part of an underworld operation throughout sustains the interest. The movie is extremely fast paced and script is really compact.
The effort, the sincerity and the attention of details to each and every nuance of filmmaking shown in this movie is really worth appreciating. When one sees movies of this standard, one appreciates the level of effort that goes into creating something original.