The Godfather’s Three Legendary Actors

     Identifying Types of acting in The Godfather can be difficult. Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, and Marlon Brando use realism acting to tell the story.  But sometimes stage acting is detected to emphasize emotions. The realism aspect makes sense because when I was a child I found it difficult to watch this movie because I thought it was boring. My view of the film at that time was watching a realistic movie of adults talking. I would also classify Marlon Brando and Al Pacino using method acting, (Goodykoontz, & Jacobs, 2014, p. 7.4). This adds to the realism.

     Robert Duvall makes an awesome portrayal of Tom Hagen the Corleone family lawyer or Consigliere. His acting does not go over the top and is not stylized. Throughout the movie he displays a calm demeanor speaking as if hes talking in real life. He reminds me of my Grandpas.  They had a way of speaking that was very soothing with strong confident voices. I consider this to be a good quality for a lawyer. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0qvpcfYFHcw). This scene also demonstrates Al Pacinos flexibility to switch from realism to stage acting.

   Marlon Brando gives a stunning performance as Vito Corleone. Hes acting in a realistic manor but he has a theatrical power as well intended for mature audiences. The following scene shows aggressive emotions followed by calm reassurance, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tgcA8WUK1qM).  A smirk in the background from Robert Duvalls character is a good catch by the camera that may have been a reaction not intended to happen.

     Robert Duvall has also used stylized acting and is very versatile becoming a legend. One of my favorite movies is Days of Thunder. He displays a very serious yet comical portrayal of Harry Hogge the crew chief of a Nascar car racing team. This movie is chalked full of memorable quotes and conversations you wouldnt here in real life unless you work with some real characters”.  The movie is a good escape from everyday life. This conversation is found on IMDb:

Harry Hogge: Cole, you’re wandering all over the track!
Cole Trickle: Yeah, well this son of a bitch just slammed into me.
Harry Hogge: No, no, he didn’t slam you, he didn’t bump you, he didn’t nudge you… he *rubbed* you. And rubbin, son, is racin’.

  When it comes to acting styles the most successful movies, as demonstrated with The Godfather , have versatile actors. All the actors demonstrate the ability to act with realism and use stage acting when needed to emphasize emotions.

References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, P. C. (2014). Film: From Watching to Seeing (2nd ed.). Bridgepoint     Education,  Inc.

The Sound of Sound in Movies. The Godfather

Sound in movies is the most important part for me.  The three basic categories sound in movies are dialogue, sound effects, and music.  Dialogue is the spoken words between the actors of the film.  Sound effects range from simple back ground noise, explosions,  and futuristic weapons. Music is divided into two categories,  the soundtrack and score. The score is the background music throughout the film. The soundtrack are songs that help set the tone of the movie and may not be in the movie.  For example the Celine Dion song in Titanic.  The score of Titanic uses the melody of the song at times. I believe music is the most important element and will determine a films success.

The score in The Godfather helps establish the theme by becoming another character in the film.  From the opening of the film,  watch the first minute of this clip (https://youtu.be/OIBpHO1gZgQ), the score establishes the Italian background of the main characters.  Also the music sounds sad and lonely.  But is very bold and maintains strength by allowing a single horn to stand alone and be heard with confidence.  This also establishes the mood as well.  The tempo of the score throughout the film has a confident slower tempo.  Both the Godfather and his son Michael display a calm,  cool, and collect confidence.  Additionally their dialogue is slower. 

The genre identified is dramatic immigration. The score brings me back to my years in Spain and the many processions with the local marching bands I witnessed. The score sets the tone that The Godfather is not an action film although violence is present. 

The sound effects of the film are not impressive and are somewhat dull.  The shooting scene of Sonny sounded a little fake to me, ( https://youtu.be/sJU2cz9ytPQ ). The sound effects of this film could be completely changed and improved but changing the score of the movie would completely change the tone,  mood,  and everlasting enjoyment.

The Lighting In The Godfather

     The lighting used most in The Godfather  is low key. This reinforces a theme of tragedy and mystery of living a life of crime. A sub theme of the American dream slipping through the cracks with perceived good intentions of harmless crime. 

     The benefits of using this lighting can be seen in the opening scene, (https://youtu.be/pvrVFb-RIQc). The room is dark and you see the man speaking with a single bright light above him.  He’s telling a tragic story about his daughter who was assaulted by two men.  The bright light on his face and dark background help you see his anger and frustration without distraction.

     The lighting contributes to the theme throughout the film.  Another good scene using low key lighting is when the Godfather is shot,  (https://youtu.be/QNuzgDrUXP0). Although I would describe this as low key for an outdoor scene.  The scene is a little brighter which means a variation between high and low key was used,  (Goodykoontz, & Jacobs, 2014, p. 6.4). The lighting looks similar to the brightest point of the day but cloudy.  The street is wet and this helps with a bit more light.  The rain has stopped and the sun is trying to peak through. Almost suggesting the eye of the hurricane.  The scene starts out calm and the different lighting might trick you into believing that nothing tragic will happen.

     The lighting suites the genre of tragic drama by emphasizing low dark colors to express low dark emotions.  Hatred,  pain,  and sorrow from trying to live a life free from death and assaults.  The Godfather,  would not have impacted our society with bright scenes that showed all objects in the background. I believe this is ther reason  comedies  have bright scenes.  I know when I’m happy my mind feels more alive and I can concentrate on many things.  When I’m feeling emotions of sorrow my focus is limited to one thought.

Reference:
Goodykoontz,  B., & Jacobs,  P. C.         (2014). Film: From Watching to Seeing (2nd ed.). Bridgepoint  
Education,  Inc.

The Godfather

The Godfather Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Produced by Albert S. Ruddy

Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola

Major actors Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton

Music by Nino Rota

Pictures Release dates March 24, 1972 (United States)

Story and Plot: 

The Godfather is a linear movie telling the story of organized crime following the gangster Corleone family during a critical transition from somewhat low level crime to narcotic crime in the late nineteen forties. The plot shows how the characters of the film deal with social and internal family changes. In the beginning of the movie we witness a marriage and later on the struggles of that marriage and how it affects the family. Al Pacino’s character also attempts to start a family fails then succeeds in a second marriage towards the end of the film that sustains. In the end Michaels’s father, the Godfather, passes away and Michael takes over the family and assassinates key rivals who killed his brother and wanted to travel down the narcotic rode. 

 Aesthetic Choices: 

The lighting of the movie is darker with rich deep colors which is not unique to movies made in the 70’s. Perhaps movies in the seventies were more depressing because of the political times. But the moving is depressing and maybe would not have been as successful in other times. The theme music is based off of Italian folk music which I recognized from my time in Spain and Italy. The procession scene after Michael’s first marriage is traditional to the Mediterranean area. I witnessed similar marching bands and religious processions in Spain, ( http://youtu.be/ate_Gy36Vyk ). The music throughout establishes that families in America carry with them traditions and belief from their originating countries.

Character Development:

In the first act we see Michael Corleone in his military uniform at the wedding. Now I realize this may have been the movies attempt to explain PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, experienced by members of the military. The movie was released in 1972 during the end of the Vietnam conflict when the audience may have been trying to understand returning family members. Michael’s form of PTSD is that of disassociation. This is clearly seen in the baptism scene photo while his associates are killing rival gang members, (http://godfather.wikia.com/wiki/Baptism_of_Fire ).  Maybe his wartime experience in WWII allowed him to make harsh life or death decisions. 

 Different Presentation Style on Audience: 

A different presentation would have been disastrous for this film. At this time I can not imagine changing presentation and watching this movie.    

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