I never thought I would find myself saying this, but I really do
believe that "The Godfather Part Two" is one of the few
sequels that goes above and beyond the call of duty and actually trumps
its predecessor. A bold statement, I know, but I really do believe
it.
The first "Godfather" did a
magnificent job of introducing us to the family business of the Corleones
and showing us the rules, regulations, traditions and protocols of
a mafia family. It had a truly remarkable story arc, strong characters
and a very tight plot. "The Godfather Part Two" expands
on the themes and characters of the first film and shows us where
the saga goes from there. We know the traditions and all of the rules
from the first film. So, with that background evidence, we can appreciate
this film all the more. We have a springboard. No time need be wasted
on introductions. (Not that there was any time really wasted in the
first film, not a single moment). We can jump right into the plot
and become absorbed right off the bat.
The film is brilliantly layered, showing us the difficulties that
Michael Corleone must overcome as he takes the reigns of the family
business and makes the family his own. But then the structure doubles
back to show us how his father came to power in the 1920's. It shows
us how young Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) gains the respect and allegiance
necessary to lead the largest crime syndicate in New York and it offers
a fascinating glimpse of the said crime syndicate in its infancy.
It shows us the meager roots of his power and his well-structured
clan, which gives us a deeper appreciation for what Michael is doing
with it.
The film is complex, but never confusing. Even with the rather similiar-sounding
mafioso names that are being bandied about in the course of the film,
we always know what time period we are in, who is being referred to,
and what is being done. And none of it is less than fascinating. The
first stuff with Pacino is a tad dry, but the film soon takes the
stops off and immerses us in its dangerous world. The camera is always
placed perfectly, the sets and production are immaculately designed
and there are a wealth of details both in the atmosphere and in each
of the performances.
Pacino is great. We can see the man we met in the first film maturing
and turning evil before our very eyes. We see him changing and it
is a little disturbing. In the first film, he was the guy we identified
with. He was the audience character, the one we most empathized with
and understood. He was the one who wanted no part of the family business
and yet was sucked in anyway. In this film, we see him start out with
hints of that man within him and then, slowly, through the course
of the film, we watch in horror as he becomes something akin to the
prince of Darkness. We watch as he alienates those he loves and destroys
the very things that make him human. It is remarkable and unsettling
all at once.
DeNiro is also awesome. He makes us forget that we are watching (an
impossibly young)
Robert DeNiro and instead believe that we are really watching a young
Brando, making his way in a new, strange land and learning its customs.
He then learns what it takes to survive.
Unlike Pacino, who is plumbing new depths of his personality on a
daily business as we watch, DeNiro is establishing himself and yet
retaining his strong, moral center at the same time. He does things
we may not approve of, yet we never feel that he isn't justified in
doing them, that he is doing something that is evil or wrong. He's
just trying to provide for his family in the only way that is left
him, and yet retain his humanity at the same time.
It is this contrast, this difference in eras, this disparity between
father and son, that really makes "The Godfather Part Two"
come alive. It is vibrant and vital and fascinating. It has some of
the regal detachment of the first film, but none of the redundancy
of the third. It uses what we know from the first one and builds on
it, as only the best of sequels do. And there are many great performances
here. Not just from DeNiro and Pacino, but from Diane Keaton, John
Cazale (as the absorbing and tragic Fredo), Robert Duvall, and Bruno
Kirby as well.
Add all these factors together and you just might find that this film
is the best of the batch. Coppola was at the top of his game here
and, when Coppola is in top form, there are few things better. There's
just so much more going on here than in any of the other films. It's
not the greatest mafia film of all time, but it definitely deserves
to be in the running.
