The Godfather Part II Review "Keep your friends close..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right, so its time for another look at my old review of The Godfather Part II and to give it an update as its a pretty old one from way back on the blog. So, it will be the usual adding extra pieces to the sections etc.

So, with that said, let's take another look at the sequel to one of the greatest films in American cinema and just to warn you, its gonna be a BIG post!

And the usual warning is coming...

PLOT SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!! 

So, I will for once deal with the plot in a more chronological fashion, given the film has a flashback narrative involving Vito as younger man interspered in between the modern narrative with Michael as head of the Corleone family.  

VITO'S STORYLINE

So Vito's sequence begins back in 1901 when Vito Corleone was a 9 year old boy, who flees to America after his family are killed at the behest of a local Mafia chieftan, Don Ciccio (Giuseppe Sillato), because his father insulted the Don.  As the film progresses it follows Vito's rise as a young man (played by Robert De Niro) into the life of organised crime and how he created his crime family in New York.  

Living as a decent ordinary civilian in New York, Vito is approached by the neighborhood crime figure, Don Fannucci (Gastone Mochin), who pesters him for money but Vito alongside two of his friends, Clemenza and Tessio, plan a way to work things out with Fannucci. Vito soon after follows Fannucci around the rooftops and waits for him outside his apartment, where he shoots Fannucci dead, and after this he makes a name for himself in his neighbourhood

Later in his life, he returns to Corleone in Sicily once he has established his Genco Olive oil business, looking for Don Ciccio's blessing.  However its just an excuse for Vito to murder the Don and he escapes with his associate Tomassino, who is shot in the back, and later as we see from the first Godfather film, ends up confined to a wheelchair.  These sequences are in part also seen as a reflection from Michael Corleone's memory.  So the rest of this plot summary will be told from the modern day events. 

MICHAEL'S STORYLINE

Right so far the modern day stuff, the film begins in 1958, where the Corleone family have now moved to Nevada.  Michael Corleone (Pacino) on the day of his son Anthony's confirmation, also holds an extravagant party, and deals with business requests at the same time, similar to how Vito does in the first film.  

During the day Michael speaks to Senator Pat Geary (GD Spradlin) who demands pay offs from Michael in turn for a state gaming license, and he also insults Michael and his family.  Michael also receives a visit from a Sicilian mob associate, Johnny Ola (Dominic Chianese) who is connected to the Jewish crime boss, Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg), who Michael is doing business with.  Michael also on the same day has to deal with a rebellious Connie (Talia Shire), who is still angry at Michael for having killed off her former husband Carlo, and she now jetsets around the world with other men.  

And as well that, Michael also has to meet with Frankie Pentangeli (Michael V. Gazzo), one of his caporegime's who is having trouble with a couple of mobsters, the Rosato brothers, who are backed by Roth, and he wants Michael to kill them off.  Michael however refuses as he wants to do business with Roth and doesn't want it disturbed.  Later that night after the party however, an assassination attempt is made on Michael at his home, as gunfire riddles his bedroom, however he survives as does his wife Kay (Diane Keaton).  Later that night Michael takes leave of his family, leaving Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) in charge, as he travels to Miami to meet with Roth.

On meeting with Roth at his home, Michael tells him that Frank Pentangeli tried to have him killed, and that he asks his consent that he orders Frankie's death, to which Roth doesn't object.  Later, Michael returns to New York, where he meets with Frank (who now owns the Corleone's former house) and he angrily tells him about the attempt on his life, but he also tells him that Roth was behind the hit, and that he wants Frankie to sort out his troubles with the Rosato brothers, in order to make Roth think his relationship with him is still good.  

Frankie agrees although somewhat reluctantly as he meets with the Rosatos at a bar, but they instead try to kill him, by garrotting him, however they are interrupted by a passing policeman, and they are forced to leave the bar.  Prior to this happening, we see Fredo (John Cazale), Michael's older brother, receive a phone call during the night from Johnny Ola, asking if Frankie will bring his men along to the meeting.  Although it is not entirely clear Fredo had something to do with the attempted hit on Michael, he angrily tells Johnny Ola that he was lied to and not to call him again.

Michael shortly after his meeting with Frankie, travels to Cuba to meet up with Roth as they prepare to do a big business deal, however on travelling there, Michael witnesses a rebel suicide bomber, which makes him realise that rebels could overthrow the Cuban dictatorship.  Fredo soon arrives with a suitcase of money, Michael's investment for the deal, and he and Michael go out for a drink together, where Fredo doesn't mention anything about his involvement in the attempt on his brother's life, but he does imply he feels guilty by saying he was angry at him.  Michael then tells Fredo that he plans on killing Roth before the New Year is reigned in, and prior to this he meets with Roth and holds back on making his deal with him.  

Later that night, at a New Year's eve party, Fredo unwittingly let's his guard down by blabbing that he knew Johnny Ola (as he denied knowing him to Michael earlier on) to the others, which leaves Michael quietly devastated.  Michael sends his bodyguard to kill Roth, who is at a hospital, and by this time he is in ill health from his heart.  The bodyguard kills Johnny Ola, but is killed himself by Cuban police before he can kill Roth.  Later at the party Michael confronts Fredo, grabbing him he kisses him on the lips, uttering the famous words "I know it was you, Fredo!  You broke my heart!".  After this revolution soon breaks lose as the Cuban rebels take down the dictatorship, and in the ensuing chaos, Fredo flees for his life, despite Michael's pleas to come with him.

Michael travels back to Nevada where he is told by Tom that Kay had a miscarriage, and also that Fredo got out and is possibly back in New York.  Soon after this, a senate commission in Washington D.C. bring forward a witness that can corroborate Michael's links to his crime family, the witness being Frank Pentangeli, who by now is in the FBI witness protection program, where he is lives at an army barracks with FBI agents.  

At the trial, Michael denies all claims of his activities in the crime family, and he reads a statement in his defence to the committee.  And on the day where Frankie attends the hearing, he is surprised to find his own brother Vincenzo Pentangeli, who was brought there by Michael to silence Frankie from talking and betraying the family. And indeed on being questioned by the committee, Frankie denies any knowledge of his links with Michael Corleone, or that he knew anything about the Godfather, as a result of this, the case is dismissed and Michael escapes prosecution.

However things are far from right for Michael, as he now has to deal with an angry and distraught Kay, who after hearing of his nefarious activities in court, and knowing them to be true, tells him she is leaving with his children.  The two of them row, after which Michael calms down and tells her he will change, and that he knows she blames him for losing the baby, but Kay then reveals that she had an abortion and no intention of having another one of Michael's sons due to his evil doings, which leads to Michael furiously smacking Kay and warning her that she won't take his children.  As a result of this Michael and Kay separate, and Michael cuts off her contact with their kids.  

Later on, Fredo finally returns to Nevada, at the same time when their mother is dying, and Fredo confides in Michael his involvement with Roth, and that he was angry at being passed over by his father, when it came to being the head of the family, but he swore he didn't know they were going to try and kill him.  Michael coldly tells Fredo he wants nothing more to do with him or see him again, and after leaving he quietly tells his capo, Al Neri (Richard Bright) that he wants nothing to happen to Fredo while his mother is alive. Once Michael's mother passes away, Connie at the funeral pleads with Michael to forgive Fredo, which he eventually agrees to, however as he embraces Fredo at the funeral, he looks up to Neri intently.  

And after his mother's passing, Michael then puts into play, his plans to deal with his enemies in Roth, Pentangeli and even his brother, Fredo... 

THOUGHTS 

The Godfather Part II is a superb continuation from the first Godather film, and sees the themes being expanded from the first film.  The scope of Part II is also far more ambitious as it incoporates the flashback sequences of Vito Corleone as a young man, making a name for himself and his rise to power, as well as the modern day themes and the troubles Michael endures.  It also sees how Michael truly has become more manipulative and evil in running his family, he has ruthlessly taken control and again uses his power for his own ends.  One such example is where he uses the Senator Geary, by framing him at a whorehouse, making it look like he had killed a prostitute, in order to get the senator into his pocket and help him get his gaming license.  

The film also introduces some new characters which we hadn't seen from the first film, such as Frankie Pentangeli, the wisecracking capo, who was once one of Michael's father's associates back in the olden days, but is now more of a hindrance for Michael, as he has his troubles with rvial gangsters, the Rosato brothers.  And Hyman Roth is a mastermind criminal, who plays Michael, on one hand he appears to be a guru to Michael, but realistically he plots to get him out the way.  And Michael appears to want to gain his trust and friendship until they go to Cuba, and its there we see Michael put his plan into motion to kill Roth.

Then there is of course the flashback sequences of the film, which tell the story of Vito's rise to power in New York, and as a young boy he escaped to America from Sicily.  Although for the most part though in the flashback scenes, we see Vito as a decent honest man, who wants to earn for his wife and children, and its only really when Don Fannucci goads him into making payments to him, its when he seems to make that transition into the life of crime.   

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers and is pretty big!).

Moving onto the performances and noteworthy scenes (which there are plenty of in this film!) the cast are all on top form and delivers first rate work.

Starting with Al Pacino, who is superb once again as Michael Corleone, who continues his powerful reign as the head of the Corleone crime family and despite showing his usual icy demeanour, we get to get some angry outbursts as Michael loses his temper more at those who anger or pressure him. 

And Pacino has so many good scenes in the film, its hard to pick all of them, so I will try and limit it to three or four at the most, so this review doesn't go on forever lol!

So, for starters there is the scene where Michael meets with Connie, who has a man with her she is looking to marry to which Michael disapproves of given Connie's past history with other men and her reckless behaviour.

So, as Connie reveals to Michael that she intends to marry her partner, Merle, Michael looks at her and says in disbelief "The ink on your divorce isn't dry yet and your getting married? You see your children on weekends. Did you know your oldest son, Victor, was picked up for some petty theft in Reno?!" and Connie angrily interrupts "Michael...!" and Michael becomes more angry and says to her "You fly around the world with men that don't love you and use like a whore...!" and Connie shouts back "YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER!!" and Michael angrily asks her "Then why did you come to me then?!" and Connie tells him "Because I need money!". 

Michael takes a moment to calm himself and walks over to Connie and tells her "Connie. Connie, Connie. Connie, I want to be reasonable with you.  You have a house here, with us. You can live here with your kids...and you won't be deprived of anything. Now, I don't know this Merle; I don't know what he does for a living or what he lives on. So, why don't you tell him marriage is really out of the question; and that you can't see him any more, he'll understand, believe me". Connie then looks toward Merle and takes his hand but Michael then delivers a stern ultimatum in a calm voice "Connie...if you don't listen to me and marry this man...you'll disappoint me".   

Another great scene is when Michael pays a visit to Frankie Pantangeli not long after the attempt on his life and he tells Frank his plan for revenge. 

So, in the scene, Frankie enters his home and finds Michael in his study, so Frankie says to him "Don Corleone, I didn't know you were coming. I could have prepared something" and Michael calmly tells him "I didn't want you to know I was coming". So, Frankie shuts the door behind and Michael asks Frankie "Did you hear about what happened in my home?" and Frankie says "Mike, I almost died myself we was all so relieved...". However Michael without warning furiously shouts at Frankie "IN MY HOME!!! IN MY BEDROOM WHERE MY WIFE SLEEPS!" and in a calmer voice "Where children come and play with their toys. In my home". 

Michael then sits down and tells Frankie "I want you to help me take my revenge" and Frankie says "Michael, anything! What can I do?" and Michael tells him "Settle these troubles with the Rosatto brothers". Frankie however is baffled by Michael's request and says he doesn't have his brain for "big deals but this is a street thing!" and that Roth backing the brothers up. So, Michael then tells Frankie "I know he is. It was Roth that trying to have me killed in my home" and Frankie shocked says "Jesus Christ, Mike! Let's get em all! Now! While we have the muscle!". 

Michael however then goes off a tangent and recalls how Frankie's current home was once his father's,Vito Corleone and that he taught him many things in that room. So, Michael tells Frankie "My father taught me many things in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer". Michael then explains to Frankie "Now if Roth sees that I interceded in this thing in the Rosatto brothers favour, he's still gonna think my relationship with him is good?" and Michael asks Frankie in Italian if he understands and Frankie responds. So, Michael then says "That's what I want him to think. I want him completely at ease and confident in our relationship, then I'll be able to find out who the traitor in my family is".

Then there is of course the scene where Michael having learned of Fredo's betrayal as he let's it slip that he knows Roth and Johnny Ola, he let's Fredo know at a Havana New Year party on a dance floor. So, Michael in the scene grabs Fredo and gives him a big kiss and let's him know "I know it was you, Fredo! You broke my heart!" and he angrily shakes him and repeats "You broke my heart!" and Fredo fearfully backs away and runs off. And as revolution breaks in Havana that night, Fredo flees the scene but Michael standing by a car calls out to him "Fredo! Come with me! Roth is dead! Fredo, you're still my brother! Fredo!" but Fredo runs off. 

Another great scene from Pacino that shows Michael's explosive anger is when he returns to his home in Nevada and Tom tells him the bad news about Kay losing her baby. So, in the scene Tom briefs Michael on the news that his bodyguard is dead (shot dead trying to kill Roth) and that Fredo got out and is probably in New York. 

So, Michael tells Tom "OK. I want you to get in touch with him. Tell him, I know he's scared and Roth misled him and he didn't know they would try and kill me" and he refers to his men, Rocco and Neri "They can come back in now". Tom however then tells Mike "Oh, there was something else" and Michael asks "What?" but Tom looks reluctant to say, which annoys Michael and sharply asks "What?! Come on. What?!" and Tom tells him "Kay had a miscarriage, she lost the baby". Michael takes a moment to let the news sink in and he asks Tom calmly "Was it a boy?" and Tom answers "Mikey, after 3 and a half months..." which out of nowhere prompts Michael to explode and yell "CAN'T YOU GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER ANYMORE?! WAS IT A BOY???!!" and Tom says "I really don't know" leaving Michael frustrated.

And then there is arguably Pacino's best scene in the film where Michael and Kay argue over their marriage and Kay wants to leave him and take their children away, which is brilliantly acted by both Pacino and Diane Keaton and by the end of it, Michael is so furious he is ready to kill Kay with his own eyes!

So, in the scene Kay tells Michael that she intends to leave him and take their children, which naturally angers Michael, who we hear from outside the hallway tell her he won't allow it as their children run up and down. So, from outside we hear Michael firmly tell Kay "No! No one is going, Kay! Not you, not the kids! Now, you're my wife, their my children, I love you and I won't allow it!". 

And we cut to inside the room where Kay angrily says to Michael "Michael you say you love me and then you talk about allowing me to leave!". Michael then tries to reason with Kay "There's been things that have gone on between men and women that will not change and that's it!". Kay then becomes more angry and desperate as she tells him "My God, look what's happened to us, Mike! Look what's happened to our son, Michael?!" and Michael calmly says to her "Nothing's happened to him". Kay however then shouts at Michael "DON'T TELL ME THAT!" and Michael yells back "ANTHONY'S FINE!". Kay then pushes on and shouts at Michael "Anthony is NOT fine!" but Michael has heard enough and tries to shut her down and says "I don't want to hear about it!" and Kay yells at him "ANTHONY'S FRIENDS ARE YOUR BUTTON MEN!!" and Michael finally yells louder "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!!! OVER!!!" and he goes over and pours himself a glass of water.

This then leaves Kay in a stunned silence before she tearfully tells him "At this moment I feel no love for you at all. I never thought that would happen but it has". Michael then tries to reason with Kay and tells her "Kay, what do you want from me? Do you expect me to let you go? Do you expect me to let you take my children away from me? Don't you know me? Don't you know that its an impossibility that it would never happen?! That I would use all my power to keep something like that from happening?".  

So, Michael tries a different tack as he attempts to calm her down and let's her know he is aware that she lost the baby and that they can try again in the future and that he will change his way of thinking. However, Kay refuses to listen to him and let's Michael know it was an abortion and not a miscarriage ad she says to Michael "I didn't want your son Michael! I wouldn't bring another one of your sons into this world! I know now there is no way you could ever forgive me, not with this Sicilian thing, which been going on for 2000...". And this whole time, Michael's eyes glare with rage and he boils over and lashes out and slaps Kay roughly who falls back onto the couch. Michael points at Kay, filled with fury he warns her "You won't take my children!" and Kay says "I will!" and Michael yells at her "YOU WON'T TAKE MY CHILDREN!!!".   

And last of all is the scene where Michael talks with Fredo once he has returned to Nevada and Fredo sits in a chair as he explains what happened and insists he doesn't know Roth would make an attempt on Michael's life.

So, in the scene Fredo tells Michael he met Johnny Ola in Beverly Hills and told him that with his help he could close out a big deal Michael was holding out on with Roth and there would be something in it for him if he helped them. So, Michael then asks Fredo "And you believe that story? You believed that?" and Fredo pleads with Michael "He said there was something in it for me! On my own!" and Michael tells Fredo "I've always taken care of you, Fredo". However at this point Fredo's anger and resentment spill over as he expresses frustration at being used for petty tasks and that he was stepped over when it came to succeeding his father. Michael then tells Fredo "That's the way pop wanted it" and Fredo angrily yells at him "That ain't the way I WANTED IT! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not dumb like everybody says! I'm smart and I want RESPECT!".

And lastly, Michael coldly tells Fredo "Fredo...your nothing to me now. You're not a brother, you're not a friend. I don't want to know you or anything you do. I don't want to see you at the hotels. When see you or mother, I want to know a day in advance, so I won't be there, you understand?". Michael then walks out leaving Fredo to plead with him "Mikey...". Michael then approaches his capo, Neri and tells him quietly of Fredo "I want nothing to happen to him while my mother is alive". 

Robert De Niro next is excellent in his role as the younger Vito Corleone although most of his dialogue is in Italian, so its hard for me to quote it that much but I will mention a couple of his scenes all the same.

Starting with the scene where Vito meets with the local mobster, Don Fanucci, who extorts money from local businesses and employees. So, Vito meets with Fanucci in a cafe and he gives him just a 100 dollars for protection money and Fanucci sits down and puts his hat over it and warily says "It looks like there's $100 under my hat" and he lifts his hat and looks at it and sighs and says "Ah, I was right - only 100!" and he throws his over to Vito. Vito then calmly explains "I'm short on money right now. I've been out of work. So, give me a little time. You understand, don't you?". Fanucci then laughs and says "You've got balls, young man! How come I've never heard of you before?". So, Fanucci tells Vito that he could get work for him and tells him to enjoy the Italian festival outside and leaves. 

This is then followed by the scene Vito follows Fanucci's movements on the streets as he looks down at him from the rooftops and he then goes and waits quietly for him outside Fanucci's apartment. So, as Fanucci arrives, Vito stands quietly in the corner holding something in his hand wrapped in a towel and he moves forward just as Fanucci is about to enter his apartment. So, Fanucci bemused asks "What have you got there?" and Vito shoots him in the chest and then in the cheek after which Fanucci collapses. Vito then shoots Fanucci in the mouth and steals his wallet and pushes his body to the ground and he makes to the rooftops and breaks up his gun into pieces and throws them down chimneys before heading back down to his family. Vito then cradles his infant son, Michael in his arms and tells him "Michael, your father loves you very much".    

And last of all is the scene where Vito pays a visit to his home town of Corleone to get revenge over Don Ciccio, who killed his mother and two brothers as a child and by now is very elderly.

So, in the scene Vito approaches Ciccio and says "My respects, Don Ciccio. Please give me your blessing" and he kisses Ciccio on the hand who looks at him and says "Bless you". So, Don Ciccio asks "What is your name?" and Vito tells him "Vito Corleone" and Ciccio laughs "You took the name of this city! And what was your father's name?" and Vito tells him "His name was Antonio Andolini". And Ciccio asks him to come closer as he can't hear Vito due to his soft voice. So, Vito leans in close to Ciccio and says "My father's name was Antonio Andolini and this is for you!" and he suddenly pulls out a knife and stabs Ciccio in the chest and he flees from the scene with his associate, Tommasino, who shot in the legs as they leave, Vito helps him up and they escape in a car. 

John Cazale next up is great in his role as Fredo, Michael's weak willed brother, who betrays him to Roth and Michael is almost killed as a result in an attempted assassination. 

And Cazale has plenty of great scenes but I will only mention a couple, starting with the one where Fredo meets up with Michael in Havana and the two of them go out for a drink together. 

So, as they sit outside in a bar, Fredo laments over his wasted choices in life and his relationship with his sultry wife. And Fredo tells Michael "Sometimes I wish had married a woman like you did, like Kay. Kids, have a family. For once in my life be more like...pop" and Michael tries to reassure him "Its not easy being his son, Fredo". Fredo then confides in Michael "You know mama used to tease and said "you don't belong to me, you were left on the doorstep by gypsies". Sometimes I think its true" and Michael smiles a little and tells him "You're not gypsy, Fredo" and Fredo regretfully asks "Why didn't we spend time like this before!". Michael then tells Fredo that Senator Geary (who Michael setup to get him on his side) is flying to Havana with some people and he wants Fredo to show him a good time and Fredo says "My speciality, right?". 

And last of all is the great scene where Michael talks with Fredo back in Nevada after Michael learned it was Fredo that betrayed him to Roth.

So, in the scene, Fredo sits in a chair and Michael walks up to him and sits down across from him and Fredo says "I don't have alot to say, Mike" and Michael says "We have time" and Fredo says "I was kept pretty much in the dark. I didn't know all that much". Michael then asks "What about now? Anything you can tell me now?" and Fredo sits back and says "They've got Pentangeli that's all I can tell you".  

Michael then stands up and goes to the window and looks out at the wintery weather and Fredo pleads with him "I didn't know it was gonna be a hit, Mike. I swear to God, I didn't know it was gonna be a hit". Fredo then explains what happened "Johnny Ola bumped into me in Beverly Hills and he said that he wanted to talk. He said that you and Roth were in on a big deal together. And that there was something in it for me if I'd help 'em out. He said that you were bein' tough on the negotiations. But if they could get a little help and close the deal fast, it'd be good for the family". Michael however looks sceptically at Fredo and asks "You believed that story? You believed that?" and Fredo pleads with him and says "He said there was something in it for ME! On my own!".

Michael then turns away and says "I've always taken care of you, Fredo" and at this point Fredo grows angry and says to him "Taken care of me?! You're my kid brother and you take care of ME?! Did you ever think about that? Did you ever ONCE think about THAT?! Send Fredo off to do this, send Fredo off to do that! Send Fredo off to take care of some Mickey Mouse nightclub somewhere! Send Fredo to pick somebody up at the airport! I'm your older brother, Mike and I was stepped over!". Michael however dismissively tells Fredo "That's the way pop wanted it" and Fredo yells back "THAT AIN'T THE WAY I WANTED IT! I can handle things, I'm smart! Not like everybody says! I'm not dumb, I'm smart and I want RESPECT!!". Michael after a pause then asks Fredo "Is there anything else you can tell me about this investigation?" and Fredo sinks back in his chair and says "The senate lawyer, Questadt. He's belongs to Roth". 

Michael then finishes by telling Fredo he means nothing to him now and he doesn't want to know him or anything he does and that when he sees their mother when she passes he wants to know a day in advance, so Fredo won't be there and he walks out leaving Fredo hurt, who says "Mikey...". 

Michael V Gazzo next up is also great in his role as the colourful Frankie Pentangeli, one of Michael's caporegimes, who comes into conflict with Michael over a feud he has with some rival gangsters, the Rosatto brothers, who are backed by Roth and as a result, Michael refuses to antagonise his relationship with Roth. 

And Gazzo has plenty of great scenes, so I will limit it to two of his scenes starting with the one where Frankie meets with Michael his home in Nevada to discuss his troubles with the Rosato brothers. 

So, in the scene, Michael says to Frankie "Clemenza promised the Rosato brothers three territories in the Bronx after he died. You took over and didn't give it to them" and Frankie says "Yeah, I welched" and Michael asks "You welched?" and Frankie explains "Clemenza promised them nothing. He hated those son of a bitches more than I do!". Michael the tries to reason with Frankie and says "Frankie, you're good old man and I like you. And you were loyal to my father for years". Frankie then says to Michael "Michael, the Rosato brothers are takin hostages and they spit right in my face! All because they're backed up by that jew in Miami!" and Michael says "I know, that's what I don't want them to touched".

Pentangeli then asks Michael "You don't want them to be touched?" and Michael says "I want you to be fair to them" and Pentangeli laughs and says "You want me to be fair with them?" and he approaches Tom Hagen and says "Tom, how can you be fair with animals?! Tom, for Chrissakes listen, they recruit spics, they recruit niggers and they do violence in their grandmother's neighbourhoods! And everything with them is whores! Whores! La Vegana junk, dope!". Frankie then turns back to Michael and points a finger at him and says "Now, I want to run my family without you on my back and I want those Rosato brothers dead!" but Michael refuses "No!" and Frankie speaks Italian "Mort!". 

Michael then explains he has important business with Roth and he doesn't want it to be disturbed and that his father did business with Roth and respected him. So, Frankie warns Michael "Your father did business Hyman Roth, your father respected Hyman Roth but your father never TRUSTED Hyman Roth, nor his Sicilian messenger boy, Johnny Ola!". Frankie then speaks in Sicilian and says "You'll have to excuse me. I am tired and a little drunk!" and he switches back to English and says "And I want you to know there will be no trouble from me! Don Corleone!" and he turns to his bodyguard, Willi Cicci and says "Cicc, a porta!" and leaves. 

Then there is the scene where Frankie goes to court to testify against Michael after the attempt on his life by the Rosato brothers, believing that Michael was behind it and has now been placed in witness protection as a result. However, in the scene, Michael has brought Frankie's brother to the trial, Vincenzo who is from Sicily in an effort to silence Frankie on testifying against Michael.

So, in the scene one of the senators, questions Frankie " Were you a member of the Corleone family? Did you serve under Caporegime Peter Clemenza, under Vito Corleone also known as "The Godfather?". And Frankie takes a moment, looking a bit flustered and he finally responds "I, I never knew no Godfather. I have my own family senator!" and this creates much consternation in the courtroom. 

Then the Senate lawyer, Questadt asks Frankie "Mr. PENTANGELI you are contradicting a sworn statement that you previously made to me and signed. I ask you again sir -- you are now under oath -- were you at any time a member of a crime organization -- headed by MICHAEL Corleone". And Frankie feigns ignorance and says "I don't know nothing about that! Oh, I was in the olive oil business with his father but that was a long time ago". The Chairman of the court, frustrated says to Frankie "We have a sworn affidavit! YOUR sworn affidavit saying that you murdered on the orders of Michael Corleone! Do you deny that confession?". So, Frankie tries to play it all down and tells the chairman "Look the FBI guys promised me a deal. So I made up a lot of stuff about Michael Corleone 'cause that's what they wanted but it was all lies -- uh -- everything! And I kept saying Michael Corleone did this and Michael Corleone did that, so I said yeah sure, why not!". 

And last of all is the scene where Tom pays a visit to Frankie at the army barracks where he is being held and they take a walk and have a cigar. So, Frankie asks "Did my brother go back?" and Tom says "Yeah" and Frankie smiles and says "He's ten times tougher than me, my brother! He's old fashioned" and Tom smiles and says "Yeah, he didn't want to even stay for dinner, he just got back on the plane" and Frankie smiles again and says "That's my brother!".

So, as Frankie asks what he should do now and Tom reminisces over past history and they talk about the Corleone family being once like the Roman empire. So, Tom then says to Frankie "Frankie, when the plot against the Emperor failed, the plotters were always given the chance to let their families keep their fortunes". Frankie then says "Yea -- but only the rich guys, Tom. The little guys, they got knocked off and all their estates went to the Emperors. Unless they went home and uh, killed themselves -- then nothing happened. And their families were taken care of, Tom". Tom then says "Yeah, it was a clean break. Nice funeral" and Frankie says "Yeah they went home, sat in a hot bath, opened their veins and bled to death". Tom puts his cigar and shakes Frankie's hand and says to him smiling "Don't worry about anything Frankie "Five Angels" and Frankie smiles and says "Thanks, Tom. Thanks" and Tom leaves.

Lee Strasberg is also great as the Jewish gangster, Hyman Roth, the wisened figurehead who appears to want to do business with Michael, but ultimately he plans to destroy him, and Michael vice versa.  Strasberg who was reknown as a great acting teacher and was one of the main innovators of the "method" acting technique and taught actors such as Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

And Strasberg has quite a few highlights aswell but I will mention only two of his scenes as this review is long enough as it is!  

So, the first scene is when Michael pays Roth a visit at his home in Miami and Michael enters his home and we see Roth sitting watching TV. So, Michael says "Mr Roth?" and Roth warmly greets him "Hi, Michael, come in. Sit down". So, Roth tells Michael he is just finishing watching a baseball game "I enjoy watching football in the afternoon, one of the things I enjoy about this country; baseball, too. I've loved baseball ever since Arnold Rothstein fixed the World Series in 1919" and they both laugh. Roth then says to Michael "I heard you had some trouble" and Michael quitely nods his head and Roth ruefully says "Stupid people behaving like that with guns! Important thing is, that you're alright. Good health -- the most important thing in the world. More than success, more than money -- more than power!". 

Michael then sits close to Roth, who turns up the TV to drown our their conversation and Michael warns Roth there will be more bloodshed and Frankie was behind the attempt on his life. So, Michael says to Roth "Petangeli came to my home and he asked my permission to get rid of the Rosato brothers. When I refused, he tried to have me killed. He was stupid, I was lucky; I'll visit him soon. The important thing is that nothing interferes with our plans for the future. Yours and mine". Roth agrees and says "Nothing is imore important. You are a wise and considerate young man" and Michael says "And you're a great man, Mr Roth. There's much I can learn from you" and Roth says "Anything I can do to help, Michael".

After this, Roth's wife comes in with his lunch and then leaves and Roth tells Michael "You're young, I'm old and sick but what we will do in these next months will be history, Michael. Not even your father would dream that such a thing would be possible" and Michael asks Roth "Then Pentangeli is a dead man, you don't object?" and Roth starts to eat his lunch and says "He's small potatos!". 

And last of all is the scene where Roth and Michael meet up in Havana but Michael appears to be holding out on their business deal much to Roth's irritation and Michael asks who was behind the hit on Pentangeli.

So, Roth get's up and says to Michael "There was this kid I grew up with -- he was younger than me. Sorta looked up to me -- you know. We did our first work together -- worked our way out of the street. Things were good, we made the most of it. During Prohibition -- we ran molasses into Canada -- made a fortune -- you father, too. As much as anyone, I loved him -- and trusted him. Later on he had an idea -- to build a city out of a desert stop-over for GI's on the way to the West Coast. That kid's name was Moe Green and the city he invented was Las Vegas. This was a great man, a man of vision and guts. And there isn't even a plaque or a signpost or a statue of him in that town! Someone put a bullet through his eye. No one knows who gave the order, when I heard it, I wasn't angry; I knew Moe -- I knew he was head-strong, talking loud, saying stupid things. So when he turned up dead, I let it go. And I said to myself, "this is the business we've chosen". I didn't ASK who gave the order  because it had nothing to do with business!".

Robert Duvall is also great once again in his role as Tom Hagen, the Corleone family's consigliere (i.e. mob lawyer and counsel) who stays loyal to Michael but does come under fire from him at times. 

So, I will mention two of Duvall's scenes starting with the one where Michael returns back home from Havana and he talks with Tom. So, Michael asks "Kay know I'm back?" and Tom nods and Michael then asks "What about my boy? Did you get him something for Christmas?" and Tom says "I took care of it. It was a little car with an electric motor he can ride in, its nice". Michael then asks his men to step outside so he can talk privately to Tom and he asks Tom "Where is my brother?" and Tom sidesteps the question and says "Roth got out on a private boat, he's in a hospital in Miami. You're bodyguard is dead". Michael prompts Tom "I asked about Fredo" and Tom says "I think got out, he must be somewhere in New York". 

Michael then tells Tom to get in touch with Fredo and tell him that he knows he is scared but its OK as he realises Roth misled him and he asks for his men, Rocco and Neri to come back in. However, Tom then says "There is something else" and Michael asks "What?" but Tom looks nervous and pauses prompting Michael to become a bit annoyed and ask again "What? Come on, what?!". Tom then tells Michael "Kay had a miscarriage, she lost the baby" which stuns Michael and he sits forward and asks "Was it a boy?" and Tom smiles awkwardly and says "Mikey, after three and a half months..." but this enrages Michael who yells "CAN'T YOU GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER ANYMORE?! WAS IT A BOY?!" and Tom finally says "I really don't know".

And last of all is the scene where Michael talks with Tom and his capos, Rocco and Neri about taking out Roth and Pentangeli but Tom feels there is no need but Michael appears unhappy with his lack of support in his plan and also he is aware that Tom had another job offer. 

So, in the scene Tom asks Michael "Why did you ask me if there was something wrong when I came in?" and Michael paces around the room eating an orange "I thought you were goin' to tell me that -- you were going to move your family to Vegas -- and that you'd been offered the vice-presidency of the house and hotels there I thought you were goin' to tell me that". Tom nervously smiles and tells Michael "I turned them down. Do I have to tell you about every offer I turn down?!" and Michael seems to accept Tom's answer and says "Right, let's do business". 

So, as they sit down, Tom asks Michael "Alright -- just consider this Mike -- that's all just consider it. Now ROTH and the Rosato's are on the run -- are they worth it? And are they strong -- is it worth it -- I mean you've won -- do you have to wipe everyone out?". Michael however answers cooly "I don't feel I need to wipe everybody out, Tom. Just my enemies, that's all". Michael then coldly asks Tom "You gonna come along with me in these things I have to do -- or what. Because if not you can take your wife, your family, and your mistress -- and move 'em all to Las Vegas!". Tom appears offended and says to Michael "Why do you hurt me, Michael? I've always been loyal to you. I mean what is this?". So, Michael asks Tom in Sicilian "So, you are staying?" and Tom answers back in Sicilian "Yes, I'm staying" and he asks in English "Now, what is it you want me to do?". 

Diane Keaton is also great in her role as Michael's wife, Kay, who by the end of the film has come to see how much her husband has changed and she no longer wishes to be with him. 

And I will mention two of Diane's scenes with the first being the one where at the end of the big party at Michael's home in Nevada, Michael and Kay dance together. So, as they dance, Michael asks Kay "How's the baby?" and Kay tells him "Sleeping inside me" and Michael asks her "Does it feel like a boy?" and Kay smiles and says "Yes, yes it does, Michael". Michael then tells Kay "Kay, I'm sorry about all the people today. Bad timing but it couldn't be helped" and Kay says to him "It made me think of what you once told me - "in five years the Corleone Family will be completely legitimate." That was seven years ago" and Michael says to her "I know, I'm trying, darling".

And last of all is their big scene together, which is easily one of the best scenes in the entire film and indeed one of the finest acted scenes in cinematic history if you ask me! And it is the scene where Michael and Kay have a big row over her decision to leave him and take their children with her.

So, the scene starts with Kay trying to tell Michael she intends to leave but then changes the subject a little by asking about what happened with Pentangeli's brother at the trial. So, Kay asks Michael "What really happened with Pentangeli, Michael?" and Michael sitting down, leans forward and tells her "His brother came and helped him" and Kay says "I didn't even know he had a brother and where is he now?" and Michael says "On a plane back to Sicily" and Kay suspiciously asks "All he had to do was show his face?" and Michael says to her "It was between the brothers, Kay. I had nothing to do with it". 

And as we hear Michael and Kay row over her decision to leave, we cut to inside the room where Kay angrily says to Michael "Michael you say you love me and then you talk about allowing me to leave!". Michael then tries to reason with Kay "There's been things that have gone on between men and women that will not change and that's it!". Kay then becomes more angry and desperate as she tells him "My God, look what's happened to us, Mike! Look what's happened to our son, Michael?!" and Michael calmly says to her "Nothing's happened to him". Kay however then shouts at Michael "DON'T TELL ME THAT!" and Michael yells back "ANTHONY'S FINE!". Kay then pushes on and shouts at Michael "Anthony is NOT fine!" but Michael has heard enough and tries to shut her down and says "I don't want to hear about it!" and Kay yells at him "ANTHONY'S FRIENDS ARE YOUR BUTTON MEN!!" and Michael finally yells louder "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!!! OVER!!!" and he goes over and pours himself a glass of water. This then leaves Kay in a stunned silence before she tearfully tells him "At this moment I feel no love for you at all. I never thought that would happen but it has".

So, as Michael tries to reason with her and calm her down and that despite her miscarriage they will go on and have another child. However, Kay bursts Michael's bubble with a hard truth and tells him "Oh, Michael! Michael, you are blind. It wasn't a miscarriage, it was an abortion" and Michael's face changes and he looks stunned. Kay then continues emotionally at Michael "An abortion, Michael! Just like our marriage is an abortion! Something unholy and evil! I didn't want your son, Michael! I wouldn't bring another one of your sons into this world! It was a son and I had it killed because THIS MUST ALL END!! I know it was over, Michael, I knew then, there is no way you could ever forgive, not with this Sicilian thing that has been going on for two thousand...". And at this point Michael's rage boils over and slaps her face and stands over her and furiously tells her "You won't take my children!" and Kay says "I will!" and Michael yells "YOU WON'T TAKE MY CHILDREN!" and Kay tearfully say "They're my children too!".

Talia Shire also returns in her role as Connie, Michael's sister, who is still bitter towards him years after her first husband's murder (i.e. Carlo, who Michael had killed as Carlo set up Sonny to be killed). 

So, Talia has some good moments but I will mention just two of her scenes quickly starting with the one where Connie brings her new fiance, Merle along with her much to Michael's disapproval. So, Michael berates her and says "The ink isn't dry on your divorce yet and you're getting married?" and he carries on berating her and Connie yells finally "YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER!" and Michael angrily asks "Then what did you come to me for?!" and Connie says "Because I need money".

And lastly the scene where Connie pleads with Michael to forgive Fredo and she says to him "I hated you -- for so many years. I think I did things to myself -- to hurt myself -- so you'd know -- .that I could hurt you. You're just being strong for all of us the way Papa was. Now I forgive you -- can't you forgive Fredo -- he's so sweet and helpless without you. You need me, Michael -- I want to take care of you now". So, Michael holds his hand and touches Connie's cheek gently and he says "Connie" affectionately.  

And last of all I will make a special mention to James Caan and Abe Vigoda who returned for their brief scene at the end of the film where Michael thinks back to a time when Vito had a surprise birthday party, and the family all meet together.  Its a great scene as well, and James Caan reportedly ask for the same fee he got for the first Godfather film, which he received. I wont quote any dialogue from it because this section is long enough as it is but it is good to see them back. 

DIRECTOR 

OK, so FINALLY moving onto the director, Francis Ford Coppola does a near flawless job once again and keeps both narratives moving along nicely, although if I am being a bit critical, I have to say that I much prefer the modern day narrative to the historical one about Vito.  There are certain scenes in Vito's narrative that are engrossing to watch, but there are also one or two that are a bit tedious as well.  But as for the modern day narrative, Coppola never sets a foot wrong and it remains superbly compelling viewing watching Michael's melodrama unfold within his family.

MUSIC

As for the music score, it is again composed by Nino Rota and it is once again superb, and is as memorable as the first one, and I particularly like the passage he uses for when Michael visits Roth in Miami, which is also the main new plot theme in the movie for the modern day sequences. Its also worth noting that Francis's father, Carmine Coppola also provided some pieces of music for the film and conducted Rota's score. 

FLAWS 

As for flaws, well its hard to nitpick a film as great as The Godfather Part II but there are still one or two minor niggles.

For starters, I felt that as mentioned, the film is very long with its run time of 3 hours and 20 minutes, it covers a lot of ground both in its historical and modern day narratives. However, there are times where I felt that Vito's sequences were a bit slow and boring in places in the early days of trying to get by and make an honest living before turning to a life of crime. So, I often find I tend to speed through these sequences similar to the Sicily sequences in the original Godfather film. 

Another issue I had was actually to do with the courtroom scene where Michael is questioned over his activities in the Corleone crime family and he denies them all and yet we see that Kay is sitting in the room a row behind him! It really does beg the question, just why the hell did Michael let Kay come along into the trial in the first place?! Surely, he would rather not let Kay hear about his nefarious crimes and even in the first film we hear him warn Kay "don't ask me about my business, Kay" yet here he is some seven or eights years on, having her join him in court where she hears everything about what he is alleged to have done! So, yeah I felt her presence in the courtroom wasn't necessary and maybe was added just to convince Kay even more that Michael is evil and she must leave him. 

I also felt that the scene where Frankie's brother, Vincenzo appears in the courtroom just as Michael is about to testify and this forces Frankie to stay silent, was a bit vague and not very well explained for the audience as to why Frankie changes his mind. I mean Vincenzo came from Italy, so I had to imagine that he was in a mafioso family himself I guess but its not really made clear in itself and I initially had to look it up as to why Frankie decided not to testify against Michael on Wikipedia. It makes sense now but at the time of initially watching, I found that scene a bit confusing. 

Anyway that's it for the flaws.

SUM UP

So, to sum up, The Godfather Part II is every inch as good as its predecessor and in some ways maybe a little better given the film's deeper scope and twin narrative of Vito's past and Michael's present. The film's performances are flawless as are the sets, photography (again by Gordon Willis) and the score by Nino Rota, which is memorable as the first one. 

And I would have to say that The Godfather Part II remains one of the greatest sequels of all time and just as essential viewing as the first film. So, with that said I will rate the film:

10 out of 10

Right, so that's it for now and I will be back with some post or other again soon.

Until then, its bye for now!