Cinematography Homework

The Godfather II – “You mean nothing to me now”

This scene in The Godfather part II opens with a low angle mid shot of Michael, this makes him seem powerful and suggests that he is the one in control in this scene. He is positioned to the left of the screen, this leaves a lot of space in the rest of the shot and reflects the growing distance in the relationship he has with his brother Fredo.

It then cuts to a medium close up of Fredo in a reclining chair. He is shot from a high angle so he appears weaker and afraid of Michael. Also because he is lying down in the reclining chair he is even lower and it makes him seem like more of a pathetic character.
His face is in more shadow than Micheal’s was in the previous shot and this suggests that he is the person in the wrong in this discussion.

The next shot is a two shot, with Michael on the left and Fredo in the chair on the right. They are both in the middle area of the shot but standing apart. This shows the distance between them and suggests that they are not comfortable or happy around each other. Michael is looking down on Fredo in this shot which again shows that Michael is the superior in this conversation. He also turns away from Fredo a lot which suggests he’s not interested in what he has to say. Michael’s figure is cast in shadow in this shot and this could suggest to the audience that Michael’s darker side as head of the mafia family is showing.

We then get another medium close up of Fredo who is now getting more angry and agitated. He moves forward in his chair and the audience gets a sense of his frustration. However he is still shot using a high shot so he still appears weak and vulnerable. He then moves back in his chair when he realises his rant was futile and his expression is sheepish and sad, this makes him appear even lower and confirms that Michael is the authority in the scene.

Michael has been mostly silent throughout the scene and now when he speaks we get a mid shot and he moves further into the middle of the screen. He is still shot from a low angle and he is looking down at his brother. Now the audience gets a feeling that he is more intimidating than ever and what he has to say is very serious.

In the next shot of Fredo has slumped back in his chair. His face is in shadow and this gives the sense that what he’s about to confess is going to be dark. He is completely deflated in his chair and this helps show that he is defeated and shows that he is the pathetic character in this scene and of no threat.

In the final shot of Michael it is still a mid shot and he is still positioned slightly left. There is a lot of space around him, now emphasising the space and distance in the relationship with his brother. Our attention is drawn to his eyes and this emphasises the emotion and creates tension. The low angle shot and the quietly increasing music in the background make Michael seem powerful and intimidating and the audience knows to fear him.

The use of cinematography in this scene is important in showing the fracturing relationship between the two brothers and also plays a big part in establishing the positions of power. It helps the audience to understand the characters more and feel closer to them.