"The Godfather" and the Criminal Underworld

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses that the film, "The Godfather," brings us into the romanticized criminal underworld by asking the viewer to evaluate the Corleone family not based on traditional standards but on Mafia standards. The author points out Coppola's ability to present such a large cast so skillfully that within the first few minutes of the film, nearly all of the main characters are introduced. The paper states that "The Godfather" redefined the genre of gangster films and shaped public perception of the Mafia.

From the Paper:

"Michael is the tragic hero of the film. He evolves from a naive, unwilling spectator into a Godfather. In the end, Michael becomes everything he despised about his family and more. After his father's heart attack, he realizes that his father is going to die, and he is the only one who can fill his shoes. It is clear that he had wanted something else out of life, but he feels the need to continue his father's legacy, inevitably becoming more merciless than he would have ever dreamed. "

More papers on "The Godfather" and the Criminal Underworld:

• Comparison Essay # 65861 : "The Godfather" and "The Sopranos"
• Film Review # 120771 : "The Godfather" and Crime"
• Comparison Essay # 28711 : "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas"

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