Analysis Of The Godfather

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Film 101 Tim Jackson Homework #1 January 29, 2014 1. Passive vs. Active Viewing Passive viewing of a film is the simple act of observing a movie solely for the entertainment or face value. Active viewing is digging deeper into the film, analyzing every aspect, and attempting to discover the meaning behind its creation. A passive viewer will look at the Godfather as an action movie about the Sicilian Mafia in the mid 1900s. An active viewer will be able to see much more. They will see the power struggle between the different Italian families, the dual lives that the Mafiosos have, and the transformation of Michael from an outsider to becoming the Don. One can also observe the slight undertones of racism and feminism through viewing the film actively. 2. Cinematic Language Cinematic language is the means and techniques the artist uses to convey the story to its viewers. These techniques consist of various angles, shots, effects, and editing. Take the first scene of the Godfather for example. Coppola begins the film with a close-up of the undertaker who is speaking. The background is completely dark with an overhead light over the speaker. This directs the attention of the audience to this one person. The camera slowly backs away ending up over the shoulder of Don Corleone, showing whom the undertaker is speaking too. This also is a means of showing the power of Don Corleone. These techniques all are means of how the artist wants to narrate the story. 3. Explicit Meaning The explicit meaning is the message a viewer can take from the surface of a movie either in its entirety or from certain parts. For example in Juno, in the scene where Mark and Vanessa are painting the room, one can see that that Vanessa is wearing an Alice in Ch... ... middle of paper ... ...rtray the story. 12. Feminist Analysis Feminist analysis is a form of analysis from a feminist’s perspective. This analysis will look at a film and focus on analyzing a female’s role in the film and gender inequalities. A feminist analysis of the Godfather will show that the males in the Godfather are strong characters while the females are weak. The males are the ones discussing the family business while the females are left out. Even when the men are sitting at the table together, Carlo Rizzi is seen trying to discuss business with Sonny and Sonny reprimands him for talking in front of the women at the dinner table. Carlo is also seen beating his wife Connie in a couple scenes while she is portrayed as defenseless against him. This interpretation of women in the 1940s is prevalent during that time period and they were still generally seen as being the weaker sex.

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