Family Matters

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather excels in all of the components of film. However, the character of Vito is very interesting.

The first time that the audience gets to see Vito is after a slow zoom out of a man asking Vito for help. However, Vito’s back is towards the camera. This informs the audience of Vito’s power and importance. Although Vito is not the focus of the shot, he is still in it. This occurs many times throughout the film while Vito is having conversations with people. Even though Vito is not speaking at these times, his mere presence is important enough that it must be represented.

As the film progresses Vito’s character is slowly revealed to the audience. This is usually achieved through dialogue coming from Vito himself to another character. The audience witnesses one of these scenes in the beginning of the film as well. When Robert is begging Vito for help with his acting career, Vito speaks plainly with him and asks him if he visits his family. This shows how much Vito values family. Another scene which reveals a piece to the Vito Corleone puzzle is the time he is speaking with Michael in the yard. Michael has gone to see Vito to check up on him and for advice. During their conversation, Vito tells Michael that men cannot be careless. Vito says this because they are speaking about Fredo, Michael’s older brother, and his lack of maturity. Vito also explains to Michael that he never wanted Michael to end up in the family business. Although Vito never wanted Michael to be in the family business, he tells Michael that he does not regret what he did. He equates getting a regular job to being a puppet and informs Michael that he was supposed to be a puppet master instead of a gangster.

Vito is unquestionably dangerous but by the end of the film Coppola has managed to show the audience that Vito is also honorably and very caring of his family. He isn’t perfect, he is just human just like we all are.