Sequels are very difficult to make better than the first film and yet The Godfather Part 2 not only does that but becomes a masterclass for other film makers in how to achieve it. Like the first part, this film is in the 1001 Films You Must Watch Before You Die.
The film starts off in 1901 where we see a young Vito Andolini forced to leave Sicily and arrives in America to become Vito Corleone and that is the key difference between this film and the first part because it manages to tell the story in the current day and yet goes back to show us the events that shape Vito’s life. The film starts off similar to the first one with a large gathering whilst business is going on behind the scenes.
The flashbacks become the key part of the film and that is because the more grown up but younger Vito is played by Robert De Niro in one of the best performances of his career. Not only does he has to make the character in the film seem believable but also the same as what Marlon Brando played in the previous film and he manages it. I’m not sure how he manages but I never have trouble believing that Brando and De Niro are playing the same character. The only downside of watching this film is that it reminds you how good De Niro was is knowing how low he would go with such films as Dirty Grandpa. Al Pacino is on equally fine form and his progression since the first film continues to impress. The coolness in which he acts in his scenes are great to watch.
The thing about the flashbacks is that they aren’t used to pad the story but instead of used to highlight something relevant that was happening in the 1950’s portion of the story. Even though these flashbacks last quite a long time, they never feel like they are labouring a point but instead telling us what we need to know.
The post intermission is where the Corleone Family senate investigation starts and it seemingly comes out of nowhere. Even though it seems to come out of the blue, the film doesn’t suffer and instead seems to make the film even better. It’s this portion of the film where Fredo gets his comeuppance or put out of his misery. After the speech where Fredo says he did what he did out of jealousy of having to take orders from his younger brother, he ends up being killed whilst going fishing which is a nice use of the sleeping with the fishes metaphor. The scene with Kay and Michael where Kay admits she had an abortion instead of a miscarriage is a great scene but seems like the only thing that Kay does in the entire film and that is a problem I have with the character because she’s just there instead of being involved in the main story.
The Godfather Part 2 is a masterclass in how to make the perfect sequel. Normally something over three hours has a tendency to be plodding and could lose some of its running time but like the first part, this film is the perfect running time. It has great performances, great directing and great storytelling. If only the series ended after this film.
Film Follies 