THE GODFATHER

The screeches that block reasonable train of thought, which can help a man kill for his family, I assume are the same kind of screeches in the mind that tigger a man to betray family for personal gain. In that moment, if it is all said to be “just business”, and when can something be considered personal? 

A Don favours respect over anything else. A merchant’s transaction of brutal acts does not interest them. Yet, they always surround themselves with those who can be paid to perform brutal acts and expects loyalty and respect from them in addition to their service. So respect is the currency of a Godfather. They are, in a way, a bank for respect, influence and criminal power. 

To those involved in the events of the Godfather, nothing is more important than family; loyalty to family and protecting the family honour is prerogative to everyone involved in the organised crime business. Not everyone in the family will fully understand that, yet they’ll still act accordingly. Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino), however, comes to know what’s important very well. That’s why, in his and his father’s eyes, family and business, though contradictory to what everyone says, is personal - and should not crossover. That’s the respect a Godfather can hope to provide and ultimately control: the divide that keeps what they care about most out of what gives them their currency. 

The Faustian deal of it all, however, is by taking the job of maintaining that divide (as Godfather), you will struggle to find the time to enjoy what is most important for yourself. This is the trade-off for the head man of the family. Only when you pass the responsibility over to capable hands, may you cease to be a monster and spend true quality time with what you have been protecting all along. 

Watched the Blu Ray version of ‘The Coppola Restoration” boxset, Dec 26th 2021.