Another look...The Godfather

While watching The Godfather, I noticed that the props that were used in the movie were especially important in terms of mise-en-scène and served as more than just props, but also as representative agents that give a greater insight into the lives and personalities of the characters we come into contact with.

In the opening scene, when we first meet Don Vito Corleone in his study talking to a "friend", he is sitting in a leather chair behind his desk with a cat in his lap. He strokes this cat through the entire conversation, and is attentive to the needs of the cat (ex. petting it when it purrs). I thought that this was an interesting choice for a metaphorical prop and that it demonstrated the emotional, human side of the Godfather. The "friend" that he is talking to is talking about how his daughter was raped by two men, and how he wants the Godfather to help him carry out revenge on these men. And all throughout this dialogue, the Godfather is calm and composed, just stroking the cat listening to this man talk. Even when he is telling him that he is trying to use him as an assassin, and that he isn't being given the respect he deserves, he still remains calm and holding the cat. This, to me, stood out because I saw the interaction between the Godfather and the cat representing his caring and emotional side, which we also see during his daughter's wedding. Showing the cat in his lap and then contrasting it with the nature of the conversation perfectly illustrates the constrast between love and hate throughout the entire film. Even during the wedding scene, we see the Godfather dancing with his wife and daughter, and then we see his son Sonny breaking a photographer's camera.

Another prop, a contextualized prop, that is significant in this film is the presence of alcohol when those within and associated with the Corleone family are about to have an important conversation or right before a serious, or violent moment. The alcohol represents somewhat of a calming effect upon those who are involved in the interaction that is taking place, and as the movie goes on, a foreshadowing of what is to come. There is wine present during the meeting of the five families; Michael, McCluskey and Sollozzo are all drinking wine right before Michael murders them both; Michael offers Carlo, Connie's husband, something to drink right before he sends him off to be killed.

Another aspect of mise-en-scène that I noticed when I looked at the picture above of the Godfather in the meeting of the five families is blocking. As you can see, the Godfather in this picture is blocking Tom during this conversation. I think that this example of blocking really illustrates the relationship between Tom, the consigliore, and the Godfather. This arrangement almost makes me think of the angel and the devil metaphor, one on each shoulder when a person is conflicted about making a decision. I think that perfectly explains Tom's influence on the Godfather. He is there to provide legal counsel, but to also give the Godfather advice. His role, in a way, is to be the Godfather conscience, advising him to do what is right for the situation. Sometimes the situation necessitates something good, other times it necessitates something bad and I think this example of blocking depicts that role that Tom has in the Corleone family.

Other thing that I noticed, and found quite interesting in portrayed the progression that takes place in the lives of the charaters were the use of costumes, specifically in realtion to Don Vito and Michael. When we first meet the Godfather, we see him in a tuxedo and he wears very nice (most likely expensive) suits and ties throughout the rest of his time as the Godfather. Then, in the end when he turns the title over to Michael, you see his wardrobe and his overall "look" completely change. He looks much older, and a bit haggard, and is wearing a sweater vest and other articles of clothing that typically characterize a grandfather figure. Michael's clothing also progresses, more so for the better, throughout the movie. We first meet Michael the army man at his sister's wedding, and he is dressed in his army uniform. Then, as he becomes more involved with his family business, he begins to wear more suits and dressing more smartly. In the end, when he has officially taken over as the Godfather, he is wearing a very expensive looking suit. It was just interesting to me how even something as obvious as wardrobe could contribute to the mise-en-scène and provided insight as to how the characters developed throughout the film.

Overall, these few example of mise-en-scène, although challenging to distinguish at first glace, added to my understanding of the plot of the film and the deeper meaning that it holds as well.