Award Winning Structure

         The Godfather is a classic movie that is considered to be one of the greatest American films ever made. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1972. I consider Michael Corleone to be a tragic hero. His hamartia or tragic flaw is his need for control. Things had to go his way. He became quite ruthless and unforgiving toward the end of the film. He believed that he could be the person to convert the family business into a legitimate business. I think this is also an example of his pride being a flaw as well. Perhaps his pride in the first place is what controlled him in a sense. The peripeteia or turning point would be when Michael murders the two men in the restaurant with a gun planted in the bathroom. This marks the point where everything changes for Michael and the beginning of his downfall in character. He is now involved with the family business he tried so hard to avoid. The anagorisis in the film was tricky to find. I believe the anagorisis comes in the final scene where Michael’s wife Kay is questioning Carlo’s, Michael’s brother-in-law’s death and Michael denies being involved. He straight up lies to her face. After she walks away she turns around to watch him be addressed as the new Don Corleone. I think that moment is where Kay and the audience truly see how far Michael has strayed from the man that he used to be. I think these elements definitely enhance the film. Without them you wouldn’t see or understand the character development. These elements help the audience understand how Michael Corleone went from avoiding the family business to being in charge of it. I enjoyed this film because there are so many layers to the story and to Michael Corleone that make it a one of a kind film.