Hotstuff

Teasing me after the morning shower

“Why did you go to the police? Why didn’t you come to me first?”  That’s power right there. That cat had no idea he was making cinematic history. The cat on his lap wasn’t part of the script. It was a stray cat… and Brando loved cats so it looked really natural. Greatest opening scene ever. The camera work, the lighting, the script, the pauses between lines, the demeanor of the characters. Don Vito Corleone knew true power was not money or willingness to commit violence. It was cultivating relationships. The Don knew to have the trust and loyalty of the local funeral director, baker, butcher, mailman, etc…this is what true power is because relationships with others can always trump money. The second generation of the family portrayed in “The Godfather II” shows the decline of the Corleone family because due to the pressures of modern day business, the focus shifted from family and relationships to money. This eventually led to the erosion of wealth as well as family and relationships. This was illustrated in the Cain-like act of Michael having his own brother killed. Perfect movie!