The Godfather Part II (1974)

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Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Writers: Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo, based on the novel by Mario Puzo

Stars: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo


The sequel to Francis Ford Coppola's gangster masterpiece chronicles the rise of Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) and the fall of his son Michael (Al Pacino), providing clues to the compelling question at the heart of this saga: Why does Michael inspire only fear where his father was able to command respect, loyalty, and even love? 


It is the treatment of this issue that necessitates the parallel story structure that has been a subject of contention among some reviewers. 


Vito tries to build a life that provides him with autonomy, self-respect, and the ability to provide for his family. 


He is a product of old-world values and maintains his own code of honor, albeit one wildly at odds with conventional morality.
 

This is exemplified by his refusal to deal in drugs. 


Michael, on the other hand, is the most American of his brothers, exemplified by his enlistment in the Army against the wishes of his family, the one least touched by those old-world values. 


He initially rejected the possibility of becoming like his father, telling his fiancé Kay (Diane Keaton) that he was not corrupt like them.
 

Torn between love for his family and distaste at what they do, he is eventually drawn in by that love. 


But once his father is gone, only the corruption is left, and he becomes the most corrupt of all.
 

By the end of this film, he has isolated himself completely, losing his family and committing the ultimate sin of fratricide.
 


And it doesn’t hurt that the whole thing is beautifully directed, acted, written, photographed, and scored.
















































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