The three actors I chose from The Godfather:
Marlon Brando: I feel that Marlon Brando is an impersonator type of actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). When he stars in a film he creates the character. In The Godfather elements of the character Vito Corleone were created by Marlon Brando. It was Marlon Brando who decided to slick back his hair, talk with the deep guttering sound and puff up his cheeks all of which made Vito Corleone the powerful character he was (Coppola, 1990). If Marlon Brando did not take these actions the opening scene would have not grabbed the viewer and the film would not be a classic.
Marlon Brando has played a large assortment of roles before and after The Godfather. Some of his more famous films are A Streetcar Named Desire, The Wild One, On the Waterfront, Apocalypse Now and Superman. All of these characters where different from Vito Corleone and show his ability to enhance a character and call it his own.
Al Pacino: I feel that Al Pacino is a personally type actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). In The Godfather Al Pacino’s newness to film making and shyness stood out in the beginning when his character Michael Corleone was looking for his place in the family. As Al grew as an actor his role of Michael Corleone became a stronger and more recognizable character on the screen. His style of acting made Michael Corleone a more believable character.
As Al Pacino got older and more confident in himself as an actor his roles changed. Yes he made a few gangster genre films but in those films he controlled the scene. Even Donny Brasco when he played down on his luck mafia gangster Lefty he still commanded the scene. Al Pacino’s strong personality guides him through his films and keeps his fans entertained.
I feel that Robert Duvall is a character type actor (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). In The Godfather Robert Duvall plays Don Vito Corleone adopted son and consigliere, Tom Hagen. Tom is the lawyer of the family and the chief councilor to the Don. Robert Duvall’s ability to play the no-outwardly criminal character Tom Hagen helped him to stand out as clean face of the organization and helps to give the family an appearance of legitimacy the Don craves. Tom Hagen looks like a business man among thugs.
Robert Duvall’s wide character range can be seen in several films from his role as a hard fighting Lt. Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now where he utters the line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning (1979).” To the repressed Major Frank Burns in the comedy MASH. Robert Duvall’s ability to take on different roles is critical to his acting success.
Resources:
Apocalypse Now – smell of napalm [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPT3RFTpSUw
Donnie Brasco (7/8) Movie CLIP – If You’re a Rat… (1997) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8o1fvTB5Q
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Marlon Brando Documentary(2014) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gasrbFAmdEo
MASH (1970) Movie Trailer [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O48Cr5vm6Yg
Ruddy, A. (Producer), Coppola, F. (Director). (1972). The Godfather. [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures
The Godfather (1972, March 15). The Godfather movie trailer. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY1S34973zA
The Making Of The Godfather Trilogy (1990) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuEnjDaiEXQ
dmm06 