For Bonasera, his daughter’s beating serves as his Inciting Incident, the demand for vengeance from a failed justice system pushing him towards relations with criminals, inviting us into the world of The Godfather. Bonasera immediately states one of the central problems of American exceptionalism by explaining how his daughter was attacked and justice went unadministered. The opening line of The Godfather is “I believe in America”, a validation that the concept of America will be explored throughout the film. Vito agrees to take care of his daughter’s boyfriends Sonny, Clemenza, Fredo, Vito, Connie, Carlo Michael eats chinese food with his family, gathering intel for the approaching hit.ĭuring the baptism, Michael eliminates his enemies. Michael’s jaw is broken by McCluskey and is tutored by Clemenza. Michael saves his father at the hospital. Michael is an honorable American with a shady family. Michael orchestrates the murders of everyone who’s crossed him. Vito dies and Michael takes over the family business.īarzini plans to take Michael out. He assumes control of the family and marries Kay. Michael returns to America when Appollonia is murdered. Sonny is murdered and Vito organizes peace. Michael goes to Sicily and falls in love with Appollonia. Michael murders Sollozzo and McCluskey and escapes to Sicily. He knows that doing so will bring him into his family’s criminal business. Michael plots to murder Sollozzo and McCluskey. He knows that Sollozzo will stop at nothing to murder Vito. He tries to save his father and has his jaw broken. Michael orders the murders of everyone who crossed him.Ĭonnie gets married, and the mob is introduced. Michael returns from Italy to run the family with the promise of legitimacy. Sollozzo will kill Vito despite Michael’s attempts to save him peacefully. Michael saves his father’s life and dedicates himself to the family.Ī corrupt police captain breaks Michael’s jaw. Power must be taken by force because the promise of American legitimacy is faulty. *Analysis based off work of Robert McKee, Joseph Campbell and Syd Field CHARACTERS Michael Corleone Desireįive families, Sollozzo, McCluskey, Sonny Synopsis: The idealist son of a mob boss gets dragged into the family business when his father’s life is threatened.
Castellano, Sterling Hayden, Al Lettieri, Abe Vigoda Writers: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford CoppolaĬast: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Richard S.