Few movies can profoundly affect a common vocabulary. If this phenomenon exists, it can well illustrate the breadth and depth of the movie’s influence. Obviously, the "Godfather" trilogy is just like this. Movie, as the greatest gangster movie in movie history (no one), the "Godfather" series relabeled the definition of gangster film, it made Coppola, Pacino, Brando, and gangster. The highest pinnacle of the movie.
There are so many articles praising "The Godfather" in the world, and its historical status and influence have made most people respect it, but as a diehard, I think I should write something for it, not for any utilitarianism. The original novel of "The Godfather" was a blockbuster bestseller in the United States that year, and the author Mario Puzo became famous. Coppola was also a young literary and artistic young man, focusing on the creation of non-mainstream small films, and he did not make a commercial film. The pressure of the market economy and film companies forced him to finally take over the filming task of "The Godfather". What he didn't want to be was the unintentional arrogance. "The Godfather" eventually became Coppola and became his famous work. Maybe this It's a kind of destiny. Sometimes it is not the director who chooses the film, but the film who chooses the director. Coppola's film temperament in turn has also made "The Godfather". The relationship between the film and the people has always been unclear. The director The temperament of the movie is part of the soul of the movie, and the movie itself is also the embodiment of the soul of the creator. Perhaps the collision of "The Godfather" and Coppola is a blessing.
About the original novel
The original novel of "The Godfather" itself is very interesting, hard-line style, very readable, the details of the novel are neither complicated nor simple, everything is to better shape the characters, and Mario bursts out of the characters. The control is also very precise, not sentimental, non-repetitive, erupting within reason, and silent within reason. The original novel has so many descriptions of the Mafia, so that people go back to wonder if the author has something to do with the Mafia. , But this also shows that the content of the novel is very readable. Puzo talks about the story endlessly. You will not feel nagging or bored, but you will be completely immersed in the interlocking In the story. The four characters of Corleone and his son in the novel are very clear, without hesitation at all, and the film has also successfully shaped the image of the father and son. Compared with the movie, the novel seems to be more detailed and clear in narrative. , And the processing of the story line in the movie is much more messy than in the novel. If you don’t read the original, you may be confused in some places. There is also no lack of strong masculinity in the original novel. Women are completely marginal in the story, and the film pays great attention to reminding Corleone that all they do is to protect their wives and children, and in the novel. The inscription on this point is not as important as the movie. The description of murder and death in the novel is very explicit, and some details of the murder are written in such detail, so that after reading it, there is a kind of criminal pleasure, or there is such a thing in the male body. Have a strong desire for destruction.
Many people regard the novel "The Godfather" as a bible for men. To put it bluntly, it is a manifestation of patriarchy. The desire for destruction and manipulation in the male body is fully reflected in the book, whether it is a deep conspiracy or a distortion of sexual desire. Men's venting and perverted bloody killing are all subconsciously longed for by men. Holding the universe, manipulating power, killing, eradicating dissidents, revenge, and sexual desire, the evil flower in the male body blooms beautifully here. The old man Corleone, an unbeatable gang king, a man with an unfathomable heart, a man revered as a god by countless men, he can always use his unique logic and reasoning to make everything unreasonable. Things that are not accepted by social laws have become rationalized, and readers have a sense of identity. The poor living conditions of Sicily have made men violent. In order to kill and fight for their livelihoods, the old man Corleone brought this state of existence to the United States. In this reinforced concrete forest, the fragile human energy becomes the food of the wolf pack, and Corleone, who said he is fighting for the family, is better than saying that it is a complete outburst of masculinity, becoming a wolf and becoming a man.
The Godfather’s philosophy becomes reasonable or acceptable under the expression of words. The complexity of American capital society has made this reinforced concrete forest lose absolute good and absolute evil. Fundamentally speaking, this can be attributed to the distribution of social wealth. Uneven, and under this unevenness, there can be no absolute fairness. Without absolute fairness, there are loopholes in this social manifestation. Corleones are the people who see opportunities dominate loopholes. The philosophy of the godfather is here. This kind of unfairness becomes reasonable. What's more frightening is that many people highly agree with this philosophy. This kind of existence becomes reasonable and necessary. With this kind of demand, there are people who provide services. There is a concept that the government is an enterprise that provides public services, and for the Mafia family, they provide some people with public services to a certain extent, and their operations are getting closer to the enterprise, so it can be said that Corleone The family is a kind of small government prototype. Existence is reasonable. This kind of existence is because there is a demand for services, so they exist. It is difficult to define whether this kind of existence is reasonable or unreasonable. What stand do you stand for? What it is. Corleones’ rationality is based on illegal activities. In this case, whose law is the law? The order established by the people who provide public services is the law, and the philosophy of the godfather is the law in this social loophole, and there is no distinction between legality and illegality. Everything comes down to the conflict of interests and the tendency of people to profit. These two points are The foundation of our social existence is also the support point in the "Godfather" system. Our society is originally built on killing and crime. More people are killed. We call it a country. Those who kill less are defined as "criminals." Those who have the most interests define death in order to maintain order. Those who have benefited from small heads, those small heads of interest in loopholes have been labeled "illegal."
Although the expression of "The Godfather" is not embodied in the above discussion too deeply, it actually confirms the above things, but "The Godfather" stays at the social level on the most important level, and does not rise to the political level. high. The trilogy of "The Godfather" has a strong coverage to show the social sentiments of the time. Mario Puzo did not raise the height of the whole novel, nor did it accurately reflect any "realism", but it was in other aspects. The aspect has reached a peak, after all, the original positioning of others is to sell well.
Women are marginal in the novel. Women are only sex tools and accessories of men. In this male-dominant novel, you can smell the male hormones everywhere, and the female characters in it basically stay in the world. At the level of housewives of the United States, McCorleone can kill his brother-in-law without blinking his eyes, without considering his sister’s mood, and the setting of Mike’s wife is also more interesting. When McCorleone inherited the family’s business, his The male characteristics of the Corleone family began to appear. The wife can be deceived. The woman is just a marginal thing in his great family business. The blinded Mike walked on the road of his father and jumped out of the novel sequels. However, Mike gradually began to return. To be honest, the third part did lose the charm of the previous film. "Never let the other person know what you are thinking" sounds very thick and black, but this thick black is also part of male wisdom. Under a low-context culture, there is such a high-context consciousness. Not easy, so it can surprise American society. The organization and management and the struggle of strategy in "The Godfather" is a classic textbook in management. It is more vivid, lifelike, and realistic than textbooks. It embodies a kind of management thinking, but it is covered with a literary coat. The management thinking in "The Godfather" still has a certain guiding value for the handling of the management, the management of the organization, and how to make decisions. People who think funny can be spectators, and those who think deep will naturally be used as teaching materials.
The history of the first generation of godfathers inked in the novel only appeared in the second movie. The history of the old godfather’s fortune is more legendary. In the description of the history of the godfather’s fortune, there are some questions about the influence of the family on the old Corleone. Many inscriptions, the old Corleone did for his wife and children. The old godfather often mentioned in his words that he should take good care of his family children, and the family is the first thing, but in reality, In the novel, what supports the Corleone family is not the family, but the man’s inflated ambition. In the novel, the old godfather said before his death: life is so beautiful. This can mark a point for Victor Corleone’s philosophy of life, and then Mike’s fortune is almost a copy of the old man. At the end of the film, Mike’s heart is finally attached to family love, although lonely and dead. , But before he died, he still thought of his wife and daughter. The last nostalgia of Italian men was family. This is similar to the old godfather’s narrative when he died. Compared with Victor Corleone’s death in the joy of family life, When Mike died, he was relatively miserable, because Mike did better than his father. Mike grew up in the United States. He did not have the Sicilian feelings of his father, or the homesickness of a Sicilian, although Mike died in Sicily in the end. . Mike is not as shrewd as his father in treating the family, but this also determines that Mike's career will be better than the old godfather. The trilogy is the finishing touch at the end, and the first thing is to be placed in this book. Among the completely male-dominated movies, it does not appear abrupt, but makes the movie more charming. Mario Puzo knows how to play with the wisdom and feelings of men.
There is no obvious boundary between evil and justice. Today, the boundaries imposed by society are judged according to law and morals, and these are all dominated by the ruling upper strata. If judged according to the law, there is no one in "The Godfather". Good people, the whole is the internal struggle of a group of criminals. The difference between criminals is that some criminals are bad and some are not so bad. Then why so many people begin to admire the "godfather spirit"? It is the injustice of the real society that people start to need one. A powerful underground avenger? Or is it purely attracted by the domineering masculinism of the godfather? This is a problem. This kind of negative hero worship can at least explain a subtle appeal, no matter what it is, it really exists, and it has profoundly affected movies and literature.
Regarding the movie
Coppola was an unknown director before he took over "The Godfather". The previous films did not have a good response. People began to remember that Coppola was indeed derived from "The Godfather", Coppola. His own screenwriting skills are very strong. The screenplay he wrote for "General Patton" won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Therefore, he and Mario Puzo adapted the "Godfather" together. Coppola and Mario Puzo have been co-writers, so the script of "The Godfather" has been maintained in a relatively stable style. Among the trilogy, the third script is relatively weak, because there are decades in the shooting. Therefore, this kind of small failure is understandable. The first part of the trilogy is the most ambitious, laying a solid foundation for the Godfather series. The first part lays down rules and shapes the character of the characters. This kind of rule , Temperament, and personality are run through in the three parts. The characters in the first part should be the most among the three, and the plot is the most complicated. The first part can be divided into two paragraphs, which is actually The two generations of godfathers are divided into the first half led by Marlon Brando and the second half led by Al Pacino. Comparing the original novel and the film, the author found that the film’s processing of the context is not as clear as the novel. There are some areas where the processing is very confusing. Early Coppola’s lens language is still slightly flawed, but in the second half of the film, the overall feeling is It's alright. The plot of the final revenge is not very strong in the novel, but in the movie, this refreshing climax has become an eternal classic, and the processing of the ending paragraph is endless, deepening the godfather’s The core of art, and in the novel, this point does not exist. The expressiveness and profound meaning of the first film of "The Godfather" surpasses the original novel. The only shortcoming is that the processing of the first half of the context is relatively rough.
The second part began in the Cuban war. It mainly narrates the growth history of the first and second generation godfathers. It outlines the inner transformation process of McCorleone. It should be the simplest and clearest part of the trilogy. The second is a two-line narrative. Time and space are not on the same line. In the novel, the history of the first generation of godfathers is inserted in the second film, interspersed and narrated. In fact, the body of the second film should be the first. The growth history of the second-generation godfather, these two intersecting periods are comparisons of the father and son at different times and at the same age. This arrangement and contrast strengthen the depth of the film. This arrangement must be said to be very incisive, although the plot is simple , But it's not thin at all. The second part is not as magnificent as the first part, and the duration is the shortest among the three parts, but it is the most lingering one among the three parts, and its flavor is not inferior to the first part. It is also considered a stroke of magic, and it is extremely shocking. In film history, the only two films in the same series that occupy the best film Oscar throne is "The Godfather". The comparison and narration of the two generations of the godfather makes the character more prominent. Mike did not inherit the philosophy of the old godfather, nor did he manage the relationship between family and career well. Fundamentally speaking, this is mainly based on the two generations of the godfather. The growth experience is different. It’s easy to start a business and it’s hard to keep the job. Mike bears even more pressure than his father. The majesty of the old godfather comes from his "reasonable" and heart-to-heart philosophy, and the majesty of the second-generation godfather is to establish On the cold wrist, the source of this difference is still attributable to different experiences. The old godfather was born during the US immigration wave in the early last century. The society is complicated, the system is unsound, and the economy is in chaos and depression. It can be said that he is in troubled times. The unique philosophy of doing things enables him to make great achievements in troubled times. His philosophy of doing things has won the respect of many people. Sicilian's rural family thinking also made the old godfather attach great importance to family relations, so the first generation of godfathers can manage the family business handily. The growth experience of McCorleone and his father is very different. Mike grew up completely in the United States. He was influenced by American philosophy since childhood. He hopes to be a model citizen who is safe and law-abiding. The troubled times that his father lived in were different from the United States. Mike’s time was already a peaceful and prosperous age. The development of the United States was prosperous, the law was perfect, and the government grew. These squeezed the development space of the family business. Mike was facing a huge crisis of family transformation. The confrontation between the Ministry and the court is also to legitimize his family business. Mike faces far greater difficulties and pressures than the old godfather. His growth experience and thinking mode have basically got rid of the old-fashioned mafia thinking mode. Survival is not easy. The film’s outline of this is also a magnificent copy of the history of American politics, economy, law, and social development during that period. The transformation of a family shows the grand transformation of the entire society. This transformation process is extremely sharp and sharp. Out of the macro framework of American democracy and American system, this is also one of the greatest places in the Godfather movie series! The struggle history of a particular individual presents a huge ukiyo-e painting of the entire society and country. The second movie wins here.
The third part of the "Godfather" series is relatively substandard. The 16-year time span makes the third part of the Godfather not well inherit the glory of the first two, and the third part of Coppola is also impure. In the 1980s, Coppola’s career was frustrated for ten years. In order to regain its strength and pay off the debts, Coppola set out to film the third Godfather. The brand of Godfather is too loud. It not only has a profound cultural impact, but also includes With huge economic benefits, whether or not the third filming is a self-smashing sign, it cannot affect the status of the "Godfather" series in film history. Although the third film is inferior to the first two, it is also considered as a godfather. A full stop. Based on the excellence of the first two films, the third film did not reach the level of the golden age of Coppola's creation in the 1970s. The third film revolved around a financing conspiracy. The old godfather has lost the sharpness of the past and is more addicted to the family. For the sake of self-interest and self-interest, the third part loses the spiritual temperament of the first two parts in some respects. The wrinkled Al Pacino does not have the wrinkled Marlon Brando full of majesty, and the cold and majestic godfather is transformed into A fearful capitalist, of course, this transformation is extremely wise, but based on the overall temperament of the first two films, this transformation can not help but make people lose. At the end of the movie, the majesty of the godfather's final plot is held to death by Al Pacino. The daughter's heart-piercing sobbing disappeared, and the godfather was old. Think of Marlon Brando's sorrow and sorrow when he saw his deceased elder son in the first part, and the silence and coldness of Mark when he murdered his second brother in the second part. What we see is no longer the invincible Godfather, but the helplessness of an old man who has lost his daughter. This also heralded the end of the age of the godfather.
The godfather portrayed in the third part is still successful. Although it does not have the achievements of the first two parts, the third part still handles the belonging of the godfather character very well. Although there is not much novelty in the plot, But there are also points. Old Mike’s experience tells us that in the United States, regardless of the underworld, the rules of survival are the same. On the surface, legal capital competition is not cleaner than underworld operations. In essence, it is a dirty struggle for interests. Next, it is still the one that the weak eats the strong. The old Mike is immersed in redemption and sitting on the capital empire, but the old Mike's heart is crushed by sin. Decades of blood and rain, the mafia leader has his hands on Full of blood, loved ones and enemies, confession and redemption have basically become the themes of this book. Who knows how fragile this seemingly invincible soul is. His path to redemption is also his path to self-destruction, the final generation. The shocking hero died in loneliness and repentance. He didn't die on the battlefield to expand the territory for his family, but like a lonely dead lamp, burning up in the wind.
Lian Po is old, is he still able to eat? In the 90s, Coppola has passed the peak of creation, and he is as old as the godfather. Coppola, who was sharp and sharp 20 years ago, lost his former sharpness in a series of failures in the 80s. But no matter what, the third book as the godfather's collection of the mountains, commendably draws an end to the epic of the godfather.
The "Godfather" series made a group of actors, or they made "The Godfather". The Godfather played by Marlon Brando reinterpreted what is called a gang leader. Decades have passed. When I think of the Godfather, I don't know how many people will think about it. Marlon Brando's stalwart figure will appear in the movie. His unique interpretation of the godfather has conquered the hearts of generations of audiences. He immortalizes the role of the godfather in the annals of film history. The godfather he plays has become an immortal myth in the film industry! A myth that cannot be subverted! Although Al Pacino is only 1.7 meters tall, he can be called the Napoleon among movie actors. The spirit and spirit he bestowed on his godfather made him the uncrowned king of Hollywood, and the series of characters he later portrayed are even more It proved his strength. Silence, cold-blooded strategizing, and the gloomy heart that never lets others know what he’s thinking makes the second generation godfather full of extraordinary charm, and the silent cry of Al Pacino at the end of the third part has become a movie in history. A classic scene. The brilliance of the "Godfather" trilogy is inseparable from the performance of these great actors.
The trilogy of "The Godfather" has a strong Christian color, the first is a series of classic assassinations when the church is baptized, the second is the murder when Fred prays to the Virgin, and the third is the whole link to the Vatican church. , The religious atmosphere in the Godfather's trilogy is very strong, and the universal doctrine of Christ has had a huge impact when the Mafia was put together. The godfather itself means a person who guarantees his religious teachings when baptizing infants. In "The Godfather", this guarantee of education has become the entire underground society, and the black forces envelop the entire society. This kind of " The contrast between "The Godfather" and the religious godfather has become very meaningful and imaginative. After every religious ceremony, there is a murder. This contrast produces a very impactful artistic effect, and the last confession and redemption of Old Mike Very much in line with the purpose of Christianity, "The Godfather" is not anti-religious. On the contrary, the "Godfather" trilogy is deeply imprinted with the spirit of Western Christianity. Criminals also have God. This is also a unique temperament of the Godfather. In addition, the "The Godfather" trilogy has a strong Sicilian style. There is a sense of homesickness in the film. Perhaps this refers to the Sicilian cultural identity. These temperaments have affected the soundtrack and setting of the film. The Godfather’s soundtrack is more classical and has a strong Italian Sicilian style. Nino Rota’s magical touch makes "The Godfather" also aurally attractive. That classic speak Softly love has also become part of the soul of "The Godfather".
I don’t know how many people hide the shadow of "The Godfather" in their hearts, or how many people fall in love with movies because of "The Godfather", and "The Godfather" may really become an epic with no one before and no one before, and that one classic Live characters will always enliven you and me. The godfather who plays with cats in the dark, the godfather who doesn't say a word in front of the French windows, the godfather who wailes silently in front of the theater...
Be the film work of this generation. The writers gradually withdrew from the movie stage, looking back at the glories they left behind, the author couldn’t help feeling emotionally turbulent. We must thank them affectionately, thank them for every eternal moment they left us, and thank them for the myths they cast in the history of film. With the passing of time, the classics will never be covered in dust. In the face of great handed down works, we need to think and remember. This article would like to pay my highest respect to the great trilogy of "The Godfather".
2010.4 Xiamen
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