The Godfather

This semi-dark film, though exceedingly violent at some points, held a surprising amount of valuable themes in its undertone. Loyalty, disloyalty, family, honor, violence and power are just a few of the things I felt were being communicated within this film. Overall I must say I enjoyed it, it having been my first time viewing it, and definitely plan to view it again sometime soon.
Don Vito Corleone is the patriarch of the Corleone family as well as the head of the "mob like" structure of the family. The film is a basic depiction of his power and loyalty to his word and his family. He had three sons and despite the youngest son not initially wanting to partake in this family business of violent acts, he eventually takes over once the Don retires and runs the business just as his father would have. I particularly enjoyed this train of events because, while the Don was not assumed to be a very trusting man, and while he had two other sons he could have entrusted his family to, he exercises wisdom in allowing Michael (the obviously most wise son) to take over the business. This proved to me that he was not simply a power hungry man with fire power to back up his demands, but that he was ingenious and careful when making decisions about matters concerning his family. It was in these particular occurrences where I obtained the themes that I gathered were amidst this film.
The mise en cine within this film left some to be desired, however. While the film took place i the forties and did a great job depicting that, there was not much extra to take note of, in my opinion, within the constraints of the frame. Everything was intentionally set up to be quite directly applicable to exactly what was happening in the scene; if this constitutes as mise en cine then that is what I observed. One particular scene (or rather combination of scenes) where the set, costuming and casting was simply beautiful, was the entire depiction of the romance between Appelonia and Michael in Sicily. From the time they met and everything else around them was moving but they had fixed there eyes on one another, to the moment at the dinner when he bestows a gift upon her and she is then seen at the dinner table gesturing to it. The set was set up to illustrate that out of all the things happening around the two of them, nothing else mattered but what was occuring between them two. There was always much business going on around them, but they always found moments to lock glances in a way that seemed to freeze time. This effect is due partially to the incredible acting and partially to the mise en cine. The shot of Michael courting her when the two of them are walking along and then a crowd is scene following them is a particular example of how the set up of the shot was very intentional to illustrate that feeling of the spotlight being on them. And finally the wedding, when from a long shot the entire bridal party is seen following behind Michael and Appelonia down the side of the cliff. The scenery in combination with the mass amount of individuals in the shot made for a surreal, fariytale princess kind of feeling. This feeling was evoked entirely due to mise en cine as there was no dialogue int his particular portion of the scene.
All in all, this movie was a great success! The storyline was intruguing and kept me engaged. The mise en cine served its purpose in most areas, and even where it left some to be desired, the storyline was so interesting that that could be forgiven. The themes that lay within the plotline were motivating and entertaining to say the least. I give this movie FIVE STARS!!!