Orange Juice (The Godfather) :: essays research papers

**Orange Juice**Contrast and IronyGentle moments in the story keep it naturalistic while the larger plot progresses and sucks us in. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction- The Godfather will make sure. Not a killer by his definition, The Godfather does not mix family and business matters, yet family and crime abound. And justice prevails however it may. Transitions in the montage after Michael killed two of his first marks in the eatery explain exactly how the family works. One scene shows a family member playing the piano, then cuts artfully to another of a dead body. The piano player tranquillize playing directly above the body. A spectacular illustration of how the family mastered the art of playing others.The opening line I believe in the States (spoken by the undertaker, no less)-contrasted later in the film by another scene in which one of the family appears to be peeing on the Statue of Liberty, seen in the distance. So much for believing in America after all. The feel of viewing the world through dark sunglasses on an already cloudy twenty-four hour period versus the bright, relaxed feeling of the Sicilian scenes creates even more contrast and confusion. The characters hidden from the viewers eye in the United States, while Michael hides in Sicily. Images of these scenes prevail in viewers minds, taking us to a happier time and place while we wonder what the Corleone family has up their sleeves in America.The Godfather grants favors- as a self-benefit of course- because the favors control those whom that they are meant for. Corleone has apt(p) favors, but those who have received them will be in his debt and one day, theyre afraid, they will be called upon to make-good the favor of the Godfather. Crime merely illustrates the degree of power this family holds. arrogate Corleone can make it happen- with offers that can not be refused. People are killed just to show who is boss. Even the raspy voice in which the Godfather grants the favors lends to a stupendous sense of power, as does his sharply shaped, well-manicured mustache. Michaels injury transitions his speech and he begins to speak like his father- his power becomes obvious. At the baptism of Connie and Carlos son, the film cuts to show the murders Michael has ordered. The patriarchs of the quin families. The final montage artfully suggests that the murders and baptism occur simultaneously.