Marlon Brando initially refused to be considered for the role of Don Corleone, saying “I won’t glorify the Mafia.” Does The Godfatherindeed “glorify” organized crime?
While watching the movie The Godfather, I could not help but be fascinated and intrigued by the inside look of the running and everyday life of the Mafia. I usually prefer chick flicks or comedies opposed to Gangster Dramas however, the suspense used in the movie made me interested right away. The action helped keep one wanting more and more.
I feel that the movie somewhat does glorify organized crime. This being said, a lot of people are interested in guns and like violence, hence the fact there are so many violent video games that are being played by teens, adults-even childern! The Godfather has a lot of violence and this is one thing that a lot of people are attracted to. Perhaps not so much the violence but the power. The power over choosing someone's faith for them and that power can make anyone use it in crazy ways. The Mafia has a lot of power and it may send out a message that power is a thing to crave for, and get it at all costs. For example, in the beginning of the movie we are shown a man asking Don Corleone to help him get revenge on a male who ruined his daughter. Don Corleone has that power to help him and he has the power to demand respect from him. This could send out a message that violence and having this power over people and being in the Mafia is an extreme advantage. Some might say yes, it is an advantage and I would agree. However, them being murderers should not be overlooked.
I feel that the movie does glorify the Mafia since it is showing the lives of the characters who are associated with the Mafia. It creates a connection with the audience and the characters and the audience usually roots for the main characters because it is their life we are being shown and from their point of view, what they are doing is not wrong. One can't blame them or Don Corleone for being good at what he does. In the scene where Michael is set out to kill McCluskey and Sollozo I was rooting for him to kill the two even though I know that it would be wrong.
I do feel it does glorify the mafia since I am interested more into it and felt like it wasn't such a big deal when really it is. This could be since it wasn't showing the lives of others who were not in the Mafia, but were affected by its' violence somehow so we did not get to see how there impact of lives from the violence of the Mafia. We were showed the lives of the Corleone family and Michael Corleone who is somewhat portrayed as the 'hero'.
However, it can also be said that the movie does show the dangers of the Mafia and how easily revenge, power, and arguments or disputes can take away the lives of many innocent or loved ones and the dark side of the Mafia as well.
In the end, it is more of a personal response of what one takes out from watching the movie.