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The Godfather I And II: Patterns Of Corruption

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Ambrogio, Anthony. “The Godfather, I and II: Patterns of Corruption.” Film Criticism Vol. 3 Issue 1, (Fall78): 35-44. In the article “The Godfather, I and II: Patterns of Corruption” by Anthony Ambrogio, the author focuses in the many ways in which the two movies overlap each other, concentrating, at the same time, on Michael’s degeneration throughout both films. Along the article we find several comparisons of Michael’s behavior in the different versions, stressing his more heartless actions and decisions in part II. Consequently, Ambrogio presents different scenarios (from both movies), which he describes as “parallel”, and provides a clear differentiation between similar events, stressing the escalation in Michael’s degeneration. Also, …show more content…

According to Ambrogio, the fact that in part II Fredo Corleone, and insider to the family, betrays his brother (unlike in part I, where Carlo, an outsider, is the one who betrays the family) indicates a rapid change, for the worse, in the Corleone family structure and loyalty. Other indicators of this are the poor family conditions in part II; Michael and Kay are no longer together and are fighting over custody of their son, Connie neglects her children and lives in promiscuity, and Fredo is married to a woman he cannot …show more content…

He mentions this “patterns of corruption” from different angles throughout the article. However, he focuses this behavioral analysis only on the Corleone family, along with their enemies and allies, when there are some important political aspects to be considered, which also present patterns of corruption. From The Godfather Part I we see some corruption at a governmental level; Vito is often portrait as a man who “has the police on his pocket”, and similar references are made throughout the movie, not only about Vito but some of other families as well. A clear example of this situation is Captain McCloskey’s alliance with drug dealer Sollozo. In the second film we encounter similar situations, such as the scene in which Michael finds out that the Senate Committee’s chief counsel is on Roth’s payroll. In conclusion, there are some clear “patterns of corruption”, that have important political implications in the films, that are not given much importance to in the article. Nevertheless, they represent a significant aspect of the movie which, in my opinion, is one of the most relevant elements that has given transcendence to The Godfather, since it illustrates situations that we currently find inside governments and

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