The Godfather: They Made Different Choices

My favorite movie is "The Godfather".

No one dared to ignore every word he uttered. His face is always expressionless, but he has a latent power that cannot be ignored.

He said: "Let me make an offer you can't refuse" – It's the authority of a man.

Throughout the trilogy, the movie is about the growth history of the old and new godfathers, a comparison of their lives. They each achieved great success in their careers, Vito started with nothing and became the most powerful mob boss in the United States; Mike, on the basis of his father, expanded his business to the West and the South, making the family an extremely large empire.

We have witnessed that Vito rises at the top, and when he grew old, we also witnessed the change of power between two godfathers.

But why does Michael choose a completely different path from his father? What is the cause of their different fates?

In this article, I will elaborate on the issue.

Before referring to these two people, we must know what exactly is the mafia behind the "Godfather"?

In the original novel, two people know clearly about the mafia. They are Don Corleone and Michael.

When Michael firstly goes to Sicily, he sees a desolate island, where people even fail to build a dam. He knows that the mafia parasitizes there, and it persecutes the people and the country.

It is almost the same as the situation of Vito. The sole difference is that he is in a different environment, and he doesn't oppress hard to the country.

In essence, the mafia and the government are always in an opposite position. One seeks profit from "progress", the other is benefited from "reactionary". For the old school mafia, the past Sicily is perfect. Therefore, the mafia is an organization which is anti-government and anti-progressive. It cannot coexist with the government. Thus, whitewashing is the only way out for the Mafia.

Michael and Vito both know that. And they both try to whitewash the family. The difference between them is that Vito accepts his own identity, but Michael couldn't. On the one hand, it is because he lacks Vito's experience, and on the other hand, he does not fully inherit Vito's character.

Vito could distinguish private virtue from social morality. Fundamentally, he never believes the society will be better without his control. Whether it is Sicily or New York, everything is chaotic. Judges, politicians, policemen, and gangsters all collude with each other. Therefore, Vito only believes in personal morality.

Don Vito stole rugs when he was young, but he would not hesitate to help Mrs. Columbus, who was in trouble, solve her problems. In his view, those are completely consistent. Those are fights against oppressions.

Michael has received modern education, so he cannot accept that.

In terms of character, Sonny, Fredo and Michael, the three sons of Vito, are partly similar to Vito. But they lack of some characters of Vito's, either. Same as Vito, Michael is rational and charming, but he is not as simple as Vito.

Mike is well-educated, so he knows that gangsters will eventually bring sufferings to others. He tries to leave his family and enter the normal society, but after the hospital incident, reality breaks his ideal little by little, so he has to choose to follow the old path of the "Godfather".

Besides, he is too "progressive". So he is more American, compared with Sicilian who are too conservative. That also makes him less confident to his proper behaviors.

In fact, Vito is willing to instruct his sons to become civilized, especially for Michael. If it isn't for the attack, Michael would not have had any connection with the family.

However, his plan is not going well. He must advance the plan because of the drugs, while the plan period is forced to shorten because of Sonny's death. Finally, Vito has to let Michael finish the rest plan. In a sense, Michael sacrifices himself for the family.

Michael doesn't receive any training for being an heir (such as working in the gang, getting to know the bigwigs in the circle). In that condition, he is forced to shoulder the responsibility of the family. So it leads to that he cannot be easily accepted by the fellows. After many years, when Michael finally gains supports, Fredo still holds a grudge, "why are you!" "I am the older one!"

Therefore, Michael can only frighten everyone through tough methods. It's also a major reason that I think Michael is so ruthless.

Maybe, if Apollonia hadn't been accidentally killed, Michael would have become another Vito.

But Apollonia actually dies. Michael returns to New York and marries his girlfriend, Kay.

There was a time when I hated Kay, I thought she ruined Michael. She always emphasizes her own values, but never understands Michael. As time flies, I gradually understand something. How can we blame Kay for not understanding Michael and his family? Michael was an innocent young man with great careers when she fell in love with him. But he suddenly leaves. After a long time, he suddenly returns and asks her to marry him.

I cannot feel any warmth when he proposes to Kay, even though he says he cares about her. The proposal is like an order.

She thinks that he will finally legitimize the family, because he loves her and their children. However, when she finally understands that her wishes are vain, and Michael becomes a terrifying man. Her desperation can be imagined.

So, everything would have been different, if Apollonia hadn't died.

But that is exactly what the author wants. The author wants Michael to be an indifferent person who cannot trust anyone.

In the third movie of the trilogy, along with his son's singing, Michael cries when he thinks of Sicily that year.

Maybe he also misses the innocent ages.

In the end, the elder Michael sits alone in the garden, with only two dogs accompanying him. The scene of him dancing with his daughter, Apollonia, and Kay in different time and space flashes, and he dies there.

It will not be helpful, even if the audience feels sorry for him.

The finale is his life, and his destiny.