Friday, February 26, 2016

Favorite Scene Friday! The Godfather: The Johnny Fontane Story

The Godfather Epic has been making the rounds on the premium channels lately and I’ve been watching and rewatching it. For those that don’t know, The Godfather Epic is The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II edited together and in chronological order. They toss in some deleted footage and the end result is an amazing (but VERY long) cinematic story-telling experience. It further cements the power and legacy of two masterpieces and I can’t recommend watching it enough. Seriously, after reading this post you should go seek it out and watch it.

Lafar Posters via JoBlo 

For today’s Favorite Scene Friday, I’m looking at a very subtle yet powerful scene from The Godfather. It happens early on in the film when Michael and Kay are sitting down and eating during Connie’s wedding reception. Popular singer Johnny Fontane shows up and the women lose their minds; even Kay gets excited. Michael nonchalantly says his father helped Johnny with his career. He’s not bragging, he’s simply continuing the conversation. Kay inquires, Michael dodges, insisting they listen to the song. Kay asks again, and Michael tells the story of his father and Luca Brasi convincing a bandleader to let Johnny out of his contract so he can be free.

I love a good story. I love sitting around with people while someone regales us with a tale. It could be long and intriguing or short and fascinating. It doesn’t matter to me. The story told in this scene falls into the latter, and shows a lot about Michael’s character. Michael openly tells Kay how he knows Johnny and the offer his father makes. He doesn’t have to, but he does. Why? He has nothing to hide. Michael, at this point in his life and relationship with Kay, is an open book. He’s honest and forthcoming whereas later in this film, and the rest of The Godfather Trilogy, he becomes more and more guarded and speaks in fables/life lessons rather than words. After Michael tells Kay “That’s a true story,” we cut to Johnny serenading Connie while his mother, Carlo, and Tessio look on. Now this may be reading too much into the scene, and SPOILERS if you haven’t seen The Godfather Films, BUT, it’s interesting to note that Michael’s mother, Carlo, and Tessio are on the left side of the screen, while his sister is on the right. Michael’s mother eventually passes, Carlo abuses Connie and ends up getting killed, and Tessio turns on Michael later telling us “It was only business.” These are people that have LEFT him by either natural causes or causes of his doing. Connie stays screen right and while she was never the best sister, she was RIGHT by his side when he has his heart attack and when his daughter dies towards the end of The Godfather: Part III. Now that’s some pretty fantastic foreshadowing.

Even when we return to a flabbergasted Kay looking on at Michael, we get another heaping handful of foreshadowing. Without being asked, or teased, Michael tells us “That’s a true story.” And when the scene dwindles down and we return to Michael a second time, he, unprompted, tells us “That’s my family, Kay, that’s not me.” And we all know how that ends up. It’s also worth noting, that this is most likely the happiest Michael and Kay are throughout all three films. The innocence is still there, even after this dark reveal, and the honesty is still there. But all that crumbles when Michael goes into exile, returns, and eventually becomes the head of the Corleone Family.

Most films nowadays would fade or cut to the story Michael is describing while we hear him through a voiceover. But here we sit, uninterrupted on Michael for over forty seconds while he speaks. Ultimately, this scene is only two and a half minutes of a nearly three-hour film. Two and a half minutes of rich and complex subtlety. Two and a half minutes of what seems like a throw away scene used only to take a peek behind the curtain at the violent lengths his family will go. Two and a half minutes of solid acting and directing. Two and a half minutes of short and fascinating storytelling.



This week's FSF is by Nick from French Toast Sunday. Check out his other guest posts here.

What's your favorite scene from The Godfather Trilogy?

Would you watch The Godfather Epic?

11 comments:

  1. So what you're saying, Nick, is that I should watch The Godfather? As in, properly, for the first time all the way through? What an interesting notion.

    Great write-up though, it makes me want to watch the film even more, I just wish it weren't so darn long. And yeah, The Godfather Epic sounds great, but I figure my first proper watch (I've seen snippets here and there) should be in its original form.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great scene and great story. It's been a while since I've seen Godfather 1 or 2. I've never seen part 3 all the way through, nor am I itching to. The Epic sounds cool, but I probably wouldn't be able to watch it in one go, which I guess defeats the purpose. Thanks for the scene!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It was such an intimate moment and you could really feel the love and energy in the place. They had out sparkling water, wines, champagnes, etc. for all of us upon arrival at wedding venues, and provided dishes and serving utensils for the bagels and other snacks we brought.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I thank you for the information and articles you provided

    ReplyDelete
  5. Die Technologie entwickelt sich schneller denn je und schneller als Sie denken. Diese aufkommende Technologie wird unsere Lebensweise verändern

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post again! great job. And I am satisfied to read your article. Turkish e visa is online, easy and fast. you can fill your visa application form turkey & within 24 hour you can get your visa.Travelers entering Turkey are required to apply for an e-visa.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The website is good and the stock is good. Thanks for all you do. apply for Indian visa online. It's too easy , fast and secure.It is called an electronic visa India system.

    ReplyDelete
  8. it is Example-based learning, developing Interview skills, communication and English speaking skills, Grooming and Body language and deportment sessions, documentation, fitness and diet planning, behavioral study with certification at very least cost. compare to other institutes, which will make you a confident and a person, one who can think out of the box among all the candidates. This helps you automatically with 100% placement if the candidate, fulfill all physical parameters which is commonly known, you definitely achieve success. Read More:-cabin crew training institute in Bihar

    ReplyDelete
  9. Xpertscm is top leading building construction company in Patna. Their latest ongoing several acres township project is Aquacity, which was design by international architects and those are really awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  10. High-density polyethylene or HDPE is a commonly used petroleum thermoplastic and the most used of the three polyethylenes for a wide range of applications.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Usually, I'm not one to read blog posts, but this write-up compelled me to do so! Your writing style has taken me by surprise. Great job! Your encouragement means a lot. Feel free to explore more of our content; Discover Europe's Best Expat Havens! Top European Expat Destinations: Unveiling the Best Countries From scenic wonders to vibrant cultures, our top 30 destinations offer the perfect blend of opportunities and experiences. Get ready to embark on your dream adventure.

    ReplyDelete