Writer/Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall
‘A Mesmerizing Sequel’
Not many actors in Hollywood have abilities to enthral audiences like Robert Duvall. Following his rise to fame in the 1970’s, Duvall has often made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s cold gangsters, drug dealers or tormented soldiers, Duvall has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Duvall’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors with a powerful screen presence that has elevated every film he is in. Through his abilities to portray heroes that are compelling, Duvall has built a legacy which is lasting. Although he has reached the age of retirement, Duvall has never lost lifelong commitment towards making commemorated entertainment. An actor that has a powerful commitment towards his craft, Duvall has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout his long-lasting career, Duvall has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Duvall and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “The Godfather: Part Two” is definitely my favourite. Since release in 1974, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie has stood the test of time as a mobster classic. Packed with phenomenal production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is one of the best gangster movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Robert Duvall, who embodies an assistant seeking to assist a notorious gangster family. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather: Part Two” a mobster masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about family which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing mobster masterpiece, there are countless strong reasons why “The Godfather: Part Two” is a movie which is definitely worth watching.
Following the events of “The Godfather”, “The Godfather: Part Two” continues the journey of a crime family having hardships to go through. Al Pacino portrays Michael Corleone, the head of a notorious crime family which faces sorrow. Accompanied by husband longtime confidante Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), Michael excels at managing his family’s crime business enduring tension. However, Michael’s life changes when he discovers the painful consequences coming with being a gangster. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Michael is forced to question whether it is truly possible for him to become a successful gangster. Faced with an intense dilemma, Michael wonders whether he can successfully protect his family in the world of mafia. Given an offer he simply can’t refuse, Michael questions whether he can take care of a family facing issues.
Francis Ford Coppola has always been drawn towards stories about the mafia. A legendary filmmaker, Coppola has often made engaging movies about gangsters which commit murder. His iconic movie “The Godfather” launched the legendary franchise about gangsters engaging in crime behaviours. With “The Godfather: Part Two”, however, Coppola manufactured his first ever mobster sequel. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt an iconic book about gangs facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Coppola captures a gangster seeking to manage affairs of a crime family. Evoking the first “Godfather”, Coppola successfully uses low-key lighting to capture hardships that gangsters struggling to manage families are facing. For instance, low-key lighting elevates the assassination scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vito Corleone commits his first murder in the alley of a hotel. Through low-key lighting, Coppola constructs a portrait of gangsters that’s compelling. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As suggested by Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, low-key lighting enhances commemorated courtroom dramas. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through stunning visuals, Coppola captures tensions that commemorated crime families are often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Godfather: Part Two” is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Coppola effectively uses production design to capture the lives of gangsters experiencing a decline. Coppola’s decisions to shoot the film in real-life locations across Sicily is risky but it works. Throughout the film, Coppola expertly uses real-life locations across Italy to capture tensions faced by a notorious gangster family. For instance, real-life Italy locations enhance the Vito Corleone childhood scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vito recalls memories of growing up in Italy which affected his identity. Real-life Italian locations are often tricky to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” suggested, Italian locations enhance fashion movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Nino Rota’s music is key toward the success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing burden that gangsters bear. Through phenomenal production design, Coppola captures crime families that endure a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Godfather: Part Two” is a crime movie that is captivating. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully employs non-linear storytelling to capture tensions that gangster families are facing. Coppola’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture the evolutions of a gangster family growing over time by non-linear storytelling. The film deftly switched back and forth between two distinct timelines: past flashbacks of Vito Corleone’s gangster beginnings and present-day scenes of Michael’s crime business. For instance, the non-linear storytelling enhances the families scene. During this memorable scene, Vito is faced with tension struggling to take care of his family. Through this ingenious non-linear structure, Coppola crafts a portrait of gangs that audiences can easily relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Steve McQueen’s “Widows” proved clearly, non-linear storytelling elevates movies about bank robbers. That being said, it works extremely well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Coppola captures gangsters which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert Duvall delivers one of his finest career performances as Tom Hagen. Duvall earned appreciation for playing troubled soldiers in war dramas. With “The Godfather: Part Two”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster that seeks to manage a notorious crime family but he pulled it off effectively. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most powerful role. Duvall has has often excelled at playing commemorated leaders that are in positions of power, and “The Godfather: Part Two” showcased his greatest strengths as an actor. With stunning expressions, he captures the angst, grief and ambitions of a commemorated crime lord seeking to care for a mafia family. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood today.
Al Pacino is amazing in the role of a gangster that struggles to care for a crime family facing sorrow. Pacino has always excelled at playing notorious gangsters which engage in criminal behaviour, and “The Godfather: Part Two” was a wonderful showcase for him as an actor. As Michael Corleone, Pacino effectively uses his body language to construct a portrait of gangs that’s compelling. Whether he’s asserting his control over a family meeting or chastising his brother for betraying him, Pacino uses strong body language to create a gangster which is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
The supporting cast is fantastic and also worthy of praise. Diane Keaton is dazzling, capturing tension of a woman that marries gangsters in romantic relationships facing destruction. Robert De Niro is remarkable, capturing sorrow of a commemorated gangster struggling to find dreams to follow. Lastly, John Cazale is worthy of appreciation. As the heartbroken brother of a legendary gangster, he brings emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Godfather: Part Two” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the tension crime families go through. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, betrayal and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers do not need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. The film delivers a profound message about betrayal which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Godfather: Part Two” is one of those rare gangster movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Robert Duvall will definitely appreciate “The Godfather: Part Two” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours an actor that is iconic.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about gangsters given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has managed to use his charisma to create a successful career manufacturing memorable movies throughout his career which have always earned rave reviews.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 