The Godfather Analysis - The Rise and Fall of Michael Corleone [Corruption Character Arc Explained]
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2024
- The Godfather analysis - We track the Corruption Arc of Michael Corleone and the film's Bitter Ending.
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K.M. Weiland's Creating Character Arcs ►► bit.ly/weilandarcs
Chapters:
00:00 What is a "Bitter" Ending
00:50 Protagonist Wants & Needs
02:37 Four Endings Overview
03:37 The Corruption Character Arc Explained
04:24 Introducing the Character's True Self
07:55 Crossing the Threshold
11:47 Story Resolution
13:42 Final Takeaways
Michael Corleone - the youngest son of a Mafia family who rises from passive non-participant to assume the throne as the next Godfather. In the screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, the tragic tale of Michael Corleone’s rise and fall is nearly Shakespearean. In this character analysis, we will follow Michael’s fall from grace, the perfect example of a Corruption Arc, and discover what it takes to craft one of the 4 ending types - the Bitter ending.
In her book, Creating Character Arcs, author K.M. Weiland describes the Corruption Arc as “perhaps the most moving of all the arcs, since it features a character who is good - or at least has a great potential for goodness - but who throws away that chance and consciously chooses darkness.” When we first meet Michael Corleone in The Godfather, he is purposefully detached from the family’s organized crime. In an early scene, he confesses to his girlfriend, “That’s my family, Kay. That’s not me.”
But when his father is nearly assassinated, Michael pledges his loyalty and vows revenge. Along this path of vengeance, Michael assumes control over the Corleone family and loses his soul bit by bit. In character development terms, this is a Negative Change Arc which leads to a Bitter ending, one of the four types of endings.
In a Bitter ending, the protagonist achieves neither their Want nor their Need. But what is the difference between Want vs Need? When constructing a character arc, their Want is something tangible, external, a goal that they actively pursue. A Need, on the other hand, is internal, a change the character needs to make to help them become a better person.
In the case of Michael Corleone, his initial Want is to live a normal life with Kay, outside the Mafia. His Need is to avoid the corruption that comes with such a life. At the end of The Godfather, Michael has become the new head of the family and lost his soul in the process. If you’re interested in learning how to write character arcs, one fantastic yet tragic example can be found in Michael Corleone and The Godfather, written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola.
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Download FREE "Endings & Arcs" Worksheet ►► bit.ly/gf-script
Chapters:
00:00 What is a "Bitter" Ending
00:50 Protagonist Wants & Needs
02:37 Four Endings Overview
03:37 The Corruption Character Arc Explained
04:24 Introducing the Character's True Self
07:55 Crossing the Threshold
11:47 Story Resolution
13:42 Final Takeaways
Nomaland... Bitter Ending
Basic Instinct 1992
Good
RUclips algorithm make me a offer that i can't refuse
I have a sentimental weakness for StudioBinder and I spoil them! 😁
"that's a true story"
@@StudioBinder brother i have a request. Plz make a video on Alfred hitchcock😟😟
Love your videos 😌😌
ruclips.net/video/E10AB1tq80g/видео.html
Don corleone
Godfather videos are just impossible to refuse
an irrefutable offer for sure
The ending of The Godfather, with the cross-montage of the baptism and the assassinations, is my favorite cinema moment of all. Such a mastery of cinema crafting
hauntingly beautiful for sure. You should watch our Director's Playbook on the moment Michael begins to become The Godfather! ruclips.net/video/OXwqDkyAmeY/видео.html
It is called parallel editing.
@@williamfoy599 Ok thanks ! I gotta admit I didn't know the english expression but it makes more sense yeah
Michael's control and confidence though out the hospital scene was based on the fact that this wasn't his first experience with lethal danger. He was a Marine who'd been in some of the worst battles of WWII. As he said in a deleted scene, he was awarded those medals for bravery. Further, because he was an officer, he had to make split second decisions in chaotic situations.
I feel bad for the people who cannot find Studiobinder....
we got to help them out and share! 😂
What do you mean man, the link is right there in description... (looks away)
ruclips.net/video/E10AB1tq80g/видео.html
"I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked him for forgiveness instead"
legendary
@@StudioBinder 💯
ruclips.net/video/E10AB1tq80g/видео.html
Lol well said
It's not only indifference when Michael speaks with Kay. He hides a smile; he's proud.
ruclips.net/video/E10AB1tq80g/видео.html
Most people wouldn't tell that story to anyone; they'd be ashamed. Michael tells it like it's a funny little quirk of Vito's.
In "Uncut Gems" just as it looked like a sweet ending was set in stone, it was immediately revealed to be bitter.
great example!
I wouldn't call that full on bitter tbh
I never noticed (or forgot) Vito Corleone smiled after Michael kissed his hand
Michael Corleone goes through quite a character arc from the first one not wanting to be in the family business to the fully taking control and which we see through to the final Godfather movie in part 3 in which he want's out but they keep pulling him back in and ultimately loses it all when his daughter is sadly taking from him at the end, that and when Michael takes his own brother's life in part 2 Fredo is one of the most heartbreaking saddest scenes and when the character truly loses his humanity .
True, his descent continues even into the later movies
@@StudioBinder Yes definitely.
Studio binder is literally the thing I have been searching for my entire life
We're glad you finally found us :)
your need and your want :-) sounds like a happy ending.
At first Michael is genuinely prepared to stay out of the family business for Kay's sake. But then he goes to Sicily, becomes obsessed with a Sicilian girl and quickly forgets Kay. After Apollonia's assassination he returns to Kay, but their relationship is never the same again.
RUclips taught me in this time to keep all channels close but studio binder closer.
Big love❤️go on with best vids ever
brilliant 👍 will keep on going!
I am a story writer...I have recently started and I can't tell you how much your videos are helping me...The hard work you all have put into creating such awesome content is just amazing...I thank u from the bottom of my heart...Keep up the good work and keep inspiring people like me...All the best to your team... You guys rock .....
I can't believe this content is free
feel free to share the content!
I've always preferred tragic endings over happy endings. That said, I think bittersweet endings are more compelling than bitter endings. In There Will be Blood, Daniel losing his son and murdering Eli heavily overshadows the fact that he won't have to deal with other people anymore, but it does fit the conventional definition of a bittersweet ending. In Godfather, when Michael's want changes from living a normal life to taking over the Mafia, the audience's expectations for him changes too. We want him to sacrifice his normal life to take the throne for it's necessary; we see no other choice that could preserve the integrity of the Mafia. As Michael spirals down the dark path, we follow him and never question his choices; we too, want revenge for Vito, Sonny, Luca and others. Contrariwise, in There Will Be Blood, the audience is empathetic to Daniel. His contempt towards other people appeals to the darker psyche in our minds. We want him to overcome this obstruction named Eli Sunday, and live happily ever after WITH HIS SON. But, when we see that he is willing to sacrifice his relationship to attain his want, it pricks our conscience. We do not want him to disown his son for he was the only thing that made Daniel truly happy. As he reaches the final step in his descent, we hold him back, his want and our expectations do not align. Disregarding, when he finally jumps into the abyss, it hurts us, a lot. The empathetic bond snaps and we're left all alone, unlike when we decided to take the jump with Michael. One of the few movies with a semi-sweet that I hold in high praise is 'Manchester by the sea'. There is no exaggerated drama, overflowing tears or bloodshot eyes. It just deals with grief and guilt in such a realistic way where the victims try to stay as strong as humanely possible. I think that Lee Chandler has gone through tremendous pain in his life, but never gave in to the sorrow after his failed suicide attempt. After all this, he deserves to have his need fulfilled, to have a loving family again.
Let me just say that I couldn't have written all this if it wasn't for Studio Binder. Providing all this quality information for free, you guys are singlehandedly holding the bridge to my dream. In the future, if I become a successful filmmaker, I swear there's gonna be substantial credit coming your way. Thank You.
Great analysis! The bittersweet ending is a killer. happy filming!
you will get it)
i thought There Will be Blood was about good milkshakes.
I don't think one ending is better than another by default, just the execution. I think The Godfather has a fantastic execution of the type of ending it was going for
your channel, ridiculously high quality. always delighted to find a new studiobinder video:]
That's the goal! Thanks for watching :)
Great job once again! Having multiple ending types explained is extremely helpful for my own writing, as it likely is for many other people. This video reminds me of my own work, since one of the antagonists in a future novel I'm planning has a bitter ending, and it also is relatable to the ending I'm planning for my protagonist. The worksheet was useful as well! That was a great idea!
The Godfather analysis videos never bored me. Great video StudioBinder!
Can always count on The Godfather haha
As a choreographer and director, your videos are literally gems. KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK, I'm hooked.
Will there be more "director's playbook" videos? Still waiting on the Hitchcock video!
Definitely will be more, just none in the next few weeks. Hitchcock will definitely be made!
@@StudioBinder you should do one for Cuarón, Iñarritu, Bergman, Tarkovsky, etc
@@StudioBinder Can’t wait. In the future, I’d love to see one on Gus Van Sant. I feel like he’s never explored enough in film analysis/reviews.
Jeff Bridges movie, Arlington Road. I will never forget that movie ending. When a bad ending further enumerates the succession of bad things that befalls the good guy and his family.
His marriage at a certain point may have become filled with lies but, certainly not LOVELESS.
They always get this wrong despite Al Pacino himself openly saying that even though Michael always loved her, their marriage was doomed because it was surrounded by a lie.
This channel deserves way more subs
we're steadily moving forward :)
Most bitter movie ending I have seen has to be The Hunter. The Hunter is one of my favourite films.
The Mist is another bitter end
Try korean films.
those are great bitter endings!
@@StudioBinder the mist haunted me for a while after seeing it. Sucker punch ending
I'm learning everything from you guys here to make my first short film. Thanks a lot. Videos are quality
Good luck filming!
I have read all the books from K.M.Weiland and i can say her books are all you need to learn storytelling, structuring your script and creating character arcs
Yup, she's great!
@@StudioBinder you are great as well :)
@@elvo19 please tell me some of her books
These are so high quality:'D Thank you:'D!
Just wanted to thank you guys, this really helped my finals paper, which was a film analysis on this topic
I guess The Godfather: Part II has one of the saddest, most bitter endings ever conceived on film.
You could make a case for it
Part 3 seems sadder tbh
@@ritam8767 I agree part 3 is more sad. Michael deserved punishment for his sins in Part 2 but when they came in Part 3, he was a different person. It was like fate waited until he was weak and old before destroying him...
@@ritam8767 3 is definitely sadder, even if I'd argue that 2 is more depressing. 2 shows how truly alone and bitter Michael truly is, whereas 3's ending shows that Michael has basically given up on life
@@ritam8767 Part 3 has the most tragic ending of all 3, yeah
This is amazing, again! Thanks for your job.
it's what we love to do!
Ohh yes... finally second part of this has arrived... thank you I was really waiting for this... and please upload other remaining two I really want to see them...
other two on their way!
Ohh...thank you very much ❤️❤️
THIS IS SO WELL MADE!!! I learned a whole lot even after I had seen the movie recently
How to like this video twice?
The best RUclips channel. So much knowledge.
Thanks!
can't like twice, but can share and subscribe 👀
@@StudioBinder Done!
Amazing analysis. I liked very much how you explain first using JOKER as an example, this way letting the younger audience know this is done "today", and then you use probably the best example: Michael Corleone to show us the character arc and the bitter end. Truly well done. Thank you for this.
Thanks for noticing haha
One of the best Godfather analysis vids
Your narration is amazing.
We love him
@@StudioBinder Him....? Name I can know?
More helpful for future filmmakers!😎!
Thanks you studiobinder ❤️❤️
These are fantastic video concepts. Cant wait for part 3 and 4 the bitter sweet and semi sweet endings!
on their way!
loved this explanation
Every video of yours is a gem. Love you guys for the brilliant content you bring here👍
Appreciate it! More on the way 👍
Absolutely excellent video on one of cinema’s greatest characters. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for watching!
@@StudioBinder You’re welcome !
Love this channel alot ...please would you do a video on how to remove reflections ...like when shooting around windows and mirrors... and other technical stuffs too..
I was waiting for Godfather
Thank you
Hope you like it!
Looking forward to the next installment!
Good as always 🔥🔥🔥
Cheers!
Amazing in depth analysis of this iconic character. Also like your review of Arthur fleck joker.
Best analysis really 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
Excellent!
Fantastic!
Great analysis
Glad you liked it!
Great video !!!
Thanks!
Awesome content!
Hope it helps!
A classic class teaches us the classic.
It's a classic for sure
StudioBinder, you rock!
we all rock!
Thank you so much ❤️
Nice video
Cheers!
amazing video
Cheers!
Great as always. Could you talk about dialogue and subtext?
Our video on how Tarantino's dialogue keeps us hooked in Kill Bill ruclips.net/video/_RNpyhJK65c/видео.html
If Michael's newfound want is to "protect his family", then he achieves it, which would not make the end bitter (at least not from the character's perspective). But if Michael's want is his original stated want, "to live a normal life", then yes, he fails at it, which then makes the end bitter for both the audience and Michael. However, this doesn't match the video's explanation, since his original want becomes his need.
Structurally speaking, his want can only be that of protecting his family, because that's what informs every action he takes after the inciting incident (the attack on Don Corleone). And his need, also structurally speaking, can only be that of living a lawful, normal life, resisting the immoral influence of his family, because it's the only psychological obstacle that keeps him from achieving his want (it's his internal conflict). Michael wins, that's a fact more than an feeling. He overpowers his enemies and makes his family safer. But he only wins externally. Internally, he loses, because he compromises his rectitude and his relationship with Kay.
In the quadrant used on the video, this would place Michael on the Bittersweet square. To place him on the Bitter square you need to consider his want from before the inciting incident, but that's a structural mistake, since the inciting incident is functionally the plot point responsible for triggering the character's main goal. Besides, every action Michael performs in the plot after that is based, derived from, caused by the inciting incident anyway.
I know this can be only a technical detail for some, but for educational reasons it's important to get structure and terminology right so as not to confuse people.
EDIT:
The only room for interpretation that story structure allows for is in the fact that we can either make sense of Michael’s need as a thing he needs to embrace or a thing he needs to abandon. If we say he needs to embrace the lawful life, then he fails at it; if we say he needs to abandon it in order to achieve his external goal, then he succeeds at it. The first interpretation projects our own morality onto Michael’s need - he needs to live a lawful life because that’s the right thing for us, the audience. The second interpretation considers only the dominant morality of the story world - he needs to abandon the lawful life to protect his family. I’d argue that the second interpretation is structurally superior, because it gives us more insight into the mechanics of plot and character. On the other hand, the first interpretation is, of course, morally superior, not to say desirable from the storyteller’s perspective. And in conclusion, both interpretations are equally relevant from a thematic point of view, since they’re essential to the making of the story. But the distinction between them and how they come together to create something complex should be important for students of the craft.
Great content.
Enjoy!
nice video :)
Thanks!
I've seen the trilogy so many times, i never noticed Michael checking his hands not shaking!!!
Michael and Vito’s dynamic reminds me a lot of Anakin and Palpatine in the prequel trilogy.
Both (Anakin and Michael) start out as innocent and good, but end up being corrupted within their stories, influenced majorly by Palpatine and Vito respectively.
To be fair, Anakin was corrupted and manipulated into becoming a monster
Whereas Michael's corruption came out of neccesity. Vito specifically didn't want Michael and Fredo to be in the business, but outside forces helped go down a dark path. Michael especially since he sacrifices so much of his soul to protect and secure his family's future that,by the end , he didn't have much of a soul left
interesting comparison, although I'd say that Vito and Palpatine's motivations differed
@@StudioBinder Definitely. I’d say Vito was more passive in that respect compared to Palpatine.
@@filipvadas7602 Protecting their families was one of the aspects that drove both characters to the dark side, interestingly enough. 😊
@The Vengeful One Bit too late for that, my friend. 😂
So good! Thanks for the downloads. I don't have a favorite bitter ending unless Legends of the Fall is bitter. I don't see him getting what he wants or needs. Any thoughts?
Thank you 😍 damn it's good.
I reallllly need to go back and watch The Godfather with the script beside me.
you can get a free script on our blog www.studiobinder.com/blog/the-godfather-script-screenplay-pdf-download/
The videos are sensational but I wanna mention the music in the background that's also exquisite. are they originals?
the mist by frank darabont is one of the most bitter and disturbing end i have watched in a movie.
I think you should make a video on the ambiguous ending.
A special gem The Godfather trilogy is.
I keep having to go back because I get so invested in the scenes I forget to pay attention to the breakdown!
the most bitter ending was SE7EN. amazinggg movie..... but MANN! what an ending.
Thank you for today's video. -Kathy Jean, Stage 32
Yo!
When's that camera lenses explained vol 2 ebook is gonna come out?
Working on it 😅
Michael wasn't just in the forces during the war, he was a marine. He was already a tough little SOAB.
The Godfather is really two films. Both of them are 7acts. The end of the first film could be considered when Michael commits to murder. The film could’ve easily of ended right there. “Justice” the main theme for the first half was served over dinner. The second half is vengeance. And vengeance is served by the end as well. So yes there is satisfaction at the end despite Michael’s dark turn. Good video here.
Good breakdown! Those themes line up nicely with Michael's development
Michael's story is comparable to Joel from TLOU.
In the sense that, both stories ultimately ask the same question:
How much of your soul are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of your loved ones?
And when you do, was it worth it?
PS: a headcanon I have is that, one of the reasons Vito didn't want Michael to be in the business is because he KNEW what might happen.
He knew his sons better than anyone, he knew Fredo was to meak for any serious business and that Santino was a good enforcer but a poor don due to his temper and headstrong way of thinking.
But with Michael, I think he knew that there was a calculated darkness inside him that, if allowed to grow, would consume him.
This gives even more weight to his line: " There wasn't enough time"
Implying that, if he had more time to teach Michael his was of doing things, things might have gone differently.
Great point, he saw the greatest potential for the worst outcome in Michael
Great video would love to see more videos in m night shyamalam
We have a director's style on him you'd enjoy! ruclips.net/video/6sLMF23PNck/видео.html
Does Keanu have a want and a need in point break or does he just have a want?
And thanks for posting another brilliant video!
What an extraordinary film!
one of the best ever made 👍
Nice :)
Awesome :)
@@StudioBinder You are very kind :) Have a great week team Studio Binder :)
Michael becomes the Godfather in both the religious and the gangster sense in one brilliant scene.
It’s been a year since this initial video, is there a part 3 somewhere or have you guys not made it yet?
Yesterday i watched sweet ending... thought about new video.. here it is 😍😛
right on time!
@StudioBinder Don't you think one of the extra indication for Michael's descent could be the fact that he didn't tell Kay about Appolonia
That's another subtle detail as well!
Classic is a term casually thrown around these days, but "The Godfather" is the definition to that word.
From a small city in south India, for me this is a great place to learn what i want..... God can't give you money or property , he give us an opportunity to find our NEEDS & WANTS.
When there's a will there's a way. Happy filming!
Thank you so much for awesome Content like this... Very informative 👍🏻
Glad you liked it!
You don't get a channel better that this.
had to watch this for school
Hope you guys do a Director's case study on James Gray. One of the best directors of our time
Thanks for the suggestion!
Another potential example of this would be in Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight. We see Aaron Eckhart's character Harvey Dent slowly succumbing to his need of darkness in order to achieve his want i.e. beating joker and all the corruption
Please make A video of " How Alfred Hitchcock directs"
You mean a director styles video?
@@StudioBinder yes....i also want one.plz make one on him.and also make second part of PTA's video
yes
Could you do some videos on Jordan peele’s directing style
We're probably going to wait until he's made several more films before doing a Director's Style on him, but we have a video on his shot list for Get Out ruclips.net/video/2FGA4jZcifA/видео.html
Wow The Godfather video Michael is more deep in The Godfather 2
Pls do a video on The Godfather 2
And Thank you❤ for this
Thanks for the suggestion!
The Godfather best movie EVER we don't make movies like this no more.
true, it's on its own level
Will you make more “Director’s Chair” vids???
Definitely will be making more
Is the shooting schedule and making stripboards and making call sheets for the entire screenplay free forever after upgrading the account for once or do we have to do it every month?
It's a monthly subscription
Great movie. But above all, GREAT narrator of this video.