Today’s quick review: The Godfather: Part II. Now the head of the Corleone crime family, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) has his hands full managing the family business. Expansion into the casino industry, threats from back East, and a traitor within the family demand that Michael be at his sharpest and most ruthless to keep things on track. But his criminal success comes at a personal cost, and his actions risk driving away his wife Kay (Diane Keaton).
The Godfather: Part II is a classic crime drama from director Francis Ford Coppola. The Godfather: Part II picks up half a decade after the first film. Michael Corleone has relocated the family to Nevada and now sits atop a powerful criminal empire. But keeping hold of it may require sacrificing what Michael holds dear. Engrossing drama, excellent acting, and top-notch cinematography make The Godfather: Part II a worthy successor to the first.
The Godfather: Part II has a subtly different focus than the previous film. Where The Godfather was about the subtle bonds of loyalty that held together the Corleones, Part II deals with power and its ramifications. The sequel sees Michael in more of an active role, fending off threats to his family and expanding its business in lucrative ways. Michael still has dreams of legitimacy, but every move he makes pushes them farther out of reach.
The Godfather: Part II retains its connections to the Corleones’ Sicilian roots through a series of flashbacks to the youth of Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), Michael’s father. The flashbacks chart his immigration to the United States, his attempts to earn an honest living in New York, and the birth of his criminal career. The flashbacks have no direct bearing on the plot, but their craftsmanship and thematic connections make them a welcome addition.
These changes from the original Godfather are backed by all of its formidable quality. The writing remains nuanced, memorable, and tense in the right places. The plot weaves together a variety of threads in skillful ways, turning an otherwise eclective movie into a cohesive whole and justifying the film’s lengthy run time. The cast is as skilled as ever and used to great effect, while the cinematography is artistict, deliberate, and well-judged.
The Godfather: Part II is a must-see for anyone who appreciated the first. Its expansion of the first film’s themes and its outstanding quality make it a near-perfect sequel that’s well worth the investment for fans of the crime genre, fans of fine cinema, or both. The subtle differences between the two movies mean that some will prefer one to the other, mainly coming down to taste. Those who are at all interested should give both films a shot.
For a more violent tale of crime and power, try Scarface. For less iconic crime dramas in the same vein, try Blow or Lord of War. For a biographical drama with a similar focus on character and cinematography, try Citizen Kane.
9.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.5 to 9.0 for potent drama that’s every bit as polished as the original.