Mafia Film Analysis

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Depictions of the Mafia in American Movies The mafia is an essential component of the Italian-American experience. While only .0078% of Italian-Americans were criminals at the tail end of the late twentieth-century mafia movie hysteria (), the films reflect upon an omnipresent illegal business model. With that in mind, mafia films also reflect upon the Italian-American community. Depictions of the mafia in American movies are interpretations and reflections of their experiences and are crucial to our ideas of just who Italian-Americans are, even if we do not have the right to classify them at all. Their characterizations evolved from often foolish, criminalistic foreigners who inevitably fall, to more complex, emotive and successful individuals, …show more content…

Like Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables, the mob men are complicated, caring deeply for their (crime) family while being callous towards everyone else. Characters in these films care deeply about brotherhood and hate the enemy. James Conway of Scorsese’s film most memorably advises to “Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut” (). Similarly, Al Capone of De Palma’s production famously exclaims, “I want you to find this Nancy boy Eliot Ness and I want him dead, I want his family dead, I want his house burned to the ground! I wanna go out in the middle o’ the night and piss on his ashes!” (). These quotes illustrate the raw emotion and complexity of mafia figures, which is something Coppola popularized. These were more meaningful (i.e. less insulting) depictions of mafia figures, but these late-twentieth century films still frame Italians within the confines of family, food, and …show more content…

For those who have never met one, they will base their knowledge off of these popular mob films subconsciously. So there is indeed a conflict: are these films giving minorities a voice or are they glorifying violence and perpetuating harmful stereotypes instead? It is a matter of opinion, but the positive aspect of Post-Godfather films is immensely impactful. Minorities, especially the people within those groups who relate to limited economic opportunity, were and continue to be inspired by Coppola’s film. Additionally, rappers and reality show actors have desperately tried to imitate the ethos and success of the suave, shrewd family man who cares deeply about the people that support him. Additionally, poor Cuban and Japanese communities inspired by The Godfather have voiced their stories in films like Scarface and Sonatine. Therefore, the depictions of mafia members, and in a larger sense Italian-Americans, in these films have evolved to give smaller social groups a chance to tell their story. The stereotypes, it seems, are an accepted side effect of

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