Tuesday, May 22, 2012

My Favorite Scene: The Godfather Part II


Warning: Critical plot details will be divulged in this post.

The second installment of Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather saga is about a lot of things. It’s about family, money, power, revenge. But at its core, it’s really a movie about a guy trying to figure out who the hell tried to kill him.

Early in the film, Michael Coleone’s bedroom is shot to hell as would-be assassins attempt to murder the Don. Immediately after surviving the attack, Michael sets out to find the perpetrator. Who did it, and why? Those two questions are, essentially, what fuels Michael’s section of the film.

Jumping ahead a few hours, after Michael has it confirmed that his dimwitted older brother, Fredo, was responsible for the attack, the two share a brief, heartbreaking moment together that remains one of the very best scenes from America’s best decade of cinema.


As Michael approaches the pathetic, discarded Fredo in a quiet room in Michael’s lake house, Fredo slowly begins to justify his actions, saying he had made a deal for the good of the family (i.e., for the good of himself), and had no idea Michael's life would be put in danger. Michael calmly interjects, reminding Fredo that he has always taken care of him.

And that’s when Fredo goes in.

What follows is as poetic and finely delivered monologue as you are likely to find in film. Fredo, played iconically by John Cazale, goes off on his younger brother, angrily reminding Michael that he was stepped over.

“That’s the way Pop wanted it,” Al Pacino whispers.  Well, as Fredo makes clear, that sure as shit wasn’t the way he wanted it. Fredo was the natural heir. He’s the oldest, so when their brother and father died, he should’ve taken the ranks. But instead, their father chose Michael. Why? Because Fredo simply doesn’t have what it takes. And he knows it.

Now, watch Cazale in this scene. I mean really watch him. Watch the way he bobs up in down in that chair, almost as if he’s an infant trying to wiggle his way onto the floor. Or the way he uses his right hand to emphasize his words. While you’re watching him, make sure you listen. That’s key. Listen to the way his voice cracks when he yells “I’M SMART!” at Michael. Maybe Fredo actually believes what he’s saying. Maybe he does think he deserved to be the Don, but Michael, and us viewers, know better.
With the exception of Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver and Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon, John Cazale’s performance in The Godfather: Part II is the best male performance of the ‘70s. There are many reasons for this, none more obvious and prevalent then his work in this scene. As far as I’m concerned, his “Stepped over” monologue is the “I coulda been a contender” of Cazale’s generation.

But the power doesn’t end there. As Michael tells Fredo that his older brother means nothing to him anymore, Coppola (with help from cinematographer Gordon Willis) ingeniously stays on Cazale’s limb body. Slunk back in that damn chair, seemingly lifeless with regret.

This scene is as miraculous as anything found in Coppola’s trilogy, and it’s something that moves me profoundly, and disturbs me inexplicably, every single time I see it. Rarely is an actor this open and vulnerable before our very eyes. This is pathetic desperation, personified.


16 comments:

  1. Ugh, Cazale is SO GOOD in this film. It would have been bloody fantastic had he gotten nominated for his work here, though I doubt he would have won over De Niro. God only knows what would have happened had he lived longer than those tragically short forty-two years.

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    1. Oh I couldn't agree more with you. Gazzo is fantastic in the film, and Strasberg... come on, but Cazale really should've occupied one of their spots at the Oscars. Either way, we have his five film legacy to live with.

      God only knows indeed...

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  2. Great piece. This is my favorite scene in that film and it's Cazale's performance that makes it one of the greatest. Even though Fredo didn't mean any harm on Michael as he just wanted to prove to himself that he can handle things. I felt sorry for him because of the fact that he was stepped over and he never felt he got the respect he deserves.

    Still, the respect that Cazale got is still deserving as the years go by. After all, how many actors can be known for 5 films that are still considered classics to this day?

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    1. Oh I agree, the man is highly respected, but it's just so sad, you know? Thank God we have his films to live with.

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  3. Cazale is absolutely... well, I can't describe it. The scene is pure brilliance. It is the best scene in the entire trilogy, I honestly believe that. As an actor, he is truly an overlooked genius of his generation. In this film and in Dog Day Afternoon in particular, he's stunning. His famously improvised "Wyoming" line in DDA gets me every time, as does this scene from Godfather II.

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    1. Christ that Wyoming line is just perfect, isn't it? I too agree that this is THE scene of the trilogy. He's just so goddamn remarkable.

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  4. Understated is the word from me to describe his performances,he never takes control of a scene but you just can't ignore his existence.

    Definitely one of the best actors in 70s,among the 5 films he was in,3 won Oscars,2 nominated,a record even Pacino and De Niro can't beat.

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    1. He sure did have a hell of a track record with picking films. Understated all the way. Such depth and sadness in his work.

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  5. I love this scene, Cazale was the real star of it, not Pacino! He really was an underrated actor!

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    1. So underrated. To watch his work now, it is utterly baffling that he was never nominated for an Oscar. Crazy.

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  6. I totally agree with you. I also think that the scene where Michael tells Fredo that he means nothing to him is amazing. I can't understand why Cazale wasn't nominated for an oscar, it truly baffles me.

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    1. It really is baffling, isn't it? He's just... that good. Always and forever. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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    2. I have reviewed the godfather and godfather part II on my blog.You should check it out when you get the chance.

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  7. While Robert De Niro's win for Best Supporting Actor is one of the best of all time in that category, if Cazale were nominated or at least occupied Michael Gazzo or Lee Strasberg's spot, he probably would've been my choice to win just for that scene alone.

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    1. I definitely think Cazale should've taken Gazzo's spot, and, yes, won the entire category. I think people assumed Cazale would be around for ages, and continue to deliver stellar work. Sadly...

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