ANALYTICAL PAPER

Student Tutor Course Date An Eclectic Analysis of The Godfather (1972) Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972) is arguably one of the greatest films of the 20th century bearing how it delicately fits a range of unique features to deliver a compelling storyline. One of the features that elevate The Godfather into a great film is its complex and compelling narrative. The film wades through a range of themes with a storyline that is rich in moral ambiguity. Also, this film bears iconic performances by some of the greatest thespians to ever exist in the industry. Masterful direction, a timeless score, a powerful balance between family and power, and visual acuity are just a few prospects that make The Godfather a film that stands out. Unfortunately, not many people understand the appeal of this film. Part of the challenge is that only a few have managed to assess the key elements of the film individually. Anyone who views The Godfather from an analytical point of view would agree that it is a film worthy of timeless exploration. This paper employs the eclectic methodology to analyze various key elements of The Godfather. An insightful analysis of The Godfather through the lenses of eclectic methodology can be vital in unearthing some of the vital elements of the film in the forms of historical and cultural context, syntax, audio-visual conformations, musical and film codes, textual analysis, and the filmic world relative to the work. Historical and Cultural Context One of the bases of understanding a film is by linking it to its historical and cultural context. In the world of art, creativity stems from what surrounds the creator. As such, a film such as The Godfather must have some significance to history or culture. Even though the film was released in 1972, it was set in the period between 1950 and 1950 (Seal 106). That period was marked by a range of occurrences. For instance, it was in the course and the end of World War 2. Besides the economic challenges that America, and the whole world, faced at the time, there were also other issues like immigration, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream. All the above struggles set the character and thematic structure of The Godfather. The storyline focuses on the Corleone family, an Italian American family, which was beginning to settle in the US (Santopietro 175). At the time, numerous Italian Americans made efforts to establish their position in the social fabric of the US. However, they faced multiple challenges. Firstly, they were met with culture shock upon moving into the US. Also, reaching the American dream became a challenge for individuals who were faced with identity crisis. The Corleone family, alongside other Italian Americans, faced stereotypes and discrimination. Specifically, people of Italian descent were associated with organized crime. The Godfather navigates the above reality by pursuing a duality that is seldom witnessed in films (Seal 217). Primarily, the Corleone family is faced with the choice of either remaining loyal to their Sicilian heritage or whether to pursue success within the terms of the American culture. Nino Rota’s score emphasizes the duality by blending Western orchestration into Sicilian music in an attempt to blend. To limit the possible perception of Italian Americans as criminals through the portrayals in the film, the writers focused on family dynamics, the internal struggle to live honorably, as well as cultural pride. The other issues such as moral corruption and cultural influences on legacy surrounded the expressions of this film. Put simply, The Godfather is based on a rich historical and cultural context that outlines the struggles within America in the post-war era, especially among Italian Americans whose culture did not fit into the American culture. Syntax (Musical/Filmic Structure) The Godfather showcases a syntax or musical and filmic structure that is crafted in a balance of various features to deliver the thematic relevance of the film. The creators insightfully interweaves music and audio-visuals to outline the influence of power, love, and family. The film’s emotional and thematic layers, in this way, are emphasized in Nino Rota’s iconic score. First among the prospects to consider in syntax analysis are the alternating tones of intimacy and violence. There are multiple cases in which the film deploys a structural rhythm that alternates between intense violence and family intimacy (Santopietro 275). The duality marks the attempts by the Corleone family to meet the ruthless nature of their business with the subtle aspects of love and belonging to a family. The Corleone world shows a unique interconnectedness between violence and love. This is evident in Connie’s wedding where both factions of the duality are seen to be mirroring. There are also notable moments of thematic development and variation in this film. For instance, the storyline is marked with instances of family gatherings or acts of retribution that symbolize the violent lifestyle of the family. Still, such incidences form a platform for thematic development. For instance, Michael’s transformation is a factor in the recurring incidences marked by the intensity of Rota’s score. There is also a detailed exploration of musical syntax in The Godfather. Specifically, there is a build-up of leitmotifs stemming from Nino Rota’s score that set the tone for musical syntax in the film. The recurring musical themes associated with specific characters, emotions, or relationships are the principal anchors of musical syntax throughout the film (Coppola and Puzo 192). A range of leitmotifs serve as musical shorthand. Additionally, they signal shifts in narratives thereby outlining the emotional undertones throughout the film (Santopietro 108). One of such leitmotifs is the main theme or “the godfather waltz”, a somber and haunting melody that is played in various forms throughout the film. “The Godfather Waltz” serves as an anthem to the Corleone family as they attempt to balance crime with their love for family. The leitmotif bears a minor-key waltz that is a reflection of foreboding and nostalgia, themes that recur in all the key moments when the characters must balance between family legacy and the weight that it demands. More leitmotifs set the undertones for various themes in the film. Michael’s theme is one of such leitmotifs to showcase transformation. The progression of the film comes with the transition of Michael’s character from an auxiliary participant into a central figure who oversees the family business. In Rota’s score, Michael’s transition is subtly mirrore...