Over the past 60 years a sum of gangster films have been released which they all individually have a unique narrative. However despite the story behind the movies differing, they yet however follower a similar trend which involves the lifestyles of the gangsters to be living wealthy despite performing their lawbreaking deeds.
The Godfather (1972):
There was not a flaw from beginning to end and the film made stars out of several of its actors. From the immortal Marlon Brando, to Al Pacino, James Caan and the legendary John Cazale, this family lived and breathed with us for the last forty years and no matter how many times you watch the movie, it never grows old. The film’s greatest strength revolves around the relationship between father and son(s) as it tracks young Michael’s gradual, inevitable transition from innocent war hero to family don. Vito Corleone’s only wish was that his beloved youngest son not follow in his footsteps: And so it was that the pained look on Brando’s face upon waking from his coma and learning of Michael’s tragic fate conveyed silent volumes of anguish, heartbreak, fear and loss.
http://thepulplist.com/2009/05/top-20-gangster-movies-of-the-last-40-years
Family loyalty is seen as the strength to the success of the Corleone family in 1972’s The Godfather. The lead gangster Don Vito Corleone and his family seem to be very well orientated and at the same time respected by other mob bosses in the city. In this case, the don carries on the tradition of his gangster lifestyle in his family unlike any other gangster film where the criminal lifestyle is usually separated away from the gangsters’ families. As the family loyalty code must not be broken, it is what makes all the gangsters in the film that much stronger and wise as they must always think before they act (such as making a kill).
Relevantly the structure of the criminal lifestyle has not changed until today but however it still demonstrates and fulfils the traditional view of a nuclear family. It used a patriarchy structure similar to its time when it was filmed; the man of the family is the breadwinner (worker) whilst his wife simply cooks and cleans the house.
Scarface (1983):
Scarface also reflects the time it was filmed as Miami had huge numbers of deaths leading from cocaine addition or as well gang wars. Effectively the movie had in fact illustrate the life of many of the rich and famous also living within Miami at the time given that the lifestyle of Tony Montana is an exaggerated view of the American Dream. Unmistakably the audience is able to see the dramatic lifestyle change he face since he is a deprived individual whom suddenly becomes a multimillionaire within a period of 12 months. Living a lavish lifestyle as he has it all, the essential such as a house (mansion in his case) as well as the additional delights such as bright coloured designer suits, jewellery, technology (T.V. in bath tub, CCTV), a tiger as a pet and performance cars.
Casino (1995):
Fantastic epic about Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro who revolutionized Vegas while destroying those around them. DeNiro and Pesci make an amazing team which is probably the reason they have been cast together in, oh, about 400 films. No one (with perhaps the exception of Tarantino) mixes tremendous scripts, colorful wardrobes, glorious soundtracks and magnificent direction to make a balanced film as well as Scorcese.
http://thepulplist.com/2009/05/top-20-gangster-movies-of-the-last-40-years
Similar to all gangster films this too follows the concept of the lead gangsters and protagonist to strives towards what they want despite violating the law along their way. Again the gangsters in this movie are set to be very wealthy due to the causes of their law breaking behaviour but the lifestyle of Robert Dinero is however portrayed as being a simple businessman. Despite laundering dirty money by pinching amounts of capital which is played by his customers in his casino, the role of the lead gangster is set to a minimum standard where he lives simply yet comfortably (unlike Scarface where sports cars are purchased and drugs are taken etc.)
Carlito's Way (1993):
In comparison to Casino, this film also presents the lead gangster Carlito living a simplistic lifestyle rather than it being lavish. Again it’s business before pleasure as Carlito is determined to generate double the money he has invested into a nightclub. As the beginning of the film, it denotates him leaving from prison, which we clearly see how the lifestyle he lives once returning to the outside world. As the period of time of the narrative is consistent, there are no over-period timings, which we are therefore able to view any changes Carlito goes through after making his investment. As the protagonist is a determined character, he primarily focuses on his building his wealth as well as settling down as a family man.
Contemporary films including American Gangster as well as films in the 1990s generally illustrate the gangsters to be associated as well as having greed towards money. It seems as if the gangster characters after that decade have been appealed by wealth rather than ruining their health (e.g. 1980s Tony in Scarface snorts cocaine etc.). All protagonists in the films after 1990 above all put business before pleasure.
The Godfather (1972):
There was not a flaw from beginning to end and the film made stars out of several of its actors. From the immortal Marlon Brando, to Al Pacino, James Caan and the legendary John Cazale, this family lived and breathed with us for the last forty years and no matter how many times you watch the movie, it never grows old. The film’s greatest strength revolves around the relationship between father and son(s) as it tracks young Michael’s gradual, inevitable transition from innocent war hero to family don. Vito Corleone’s only wish was that his beloved youngest son not follow in his footsteps: And so it was that the pained look on Brando’s face upon waking from his coma and learning of Michael’s tragic fate conveyed silent volumes of anguish, heartbreak, fear and loss.
http://thepulplist.com/2009/05/top-20-gangster-movies-of-the-last-40-years
Family loyalty is seen as the strength to the success of the Corleone family in 1972’s The Godfather. The lead gangster Don Vito Corleone and his family seem to be very well orientated and at the same time respected by other mob bosses in the city. In this case, the don carries on the tradition of his gangster lifestyle in his family unlike any other gangster film where the criminal lifestyle is usually separated away from the gangsters’ families. As the family loyalty code must not be broken, it is what makes all the gangsters in the film that much stronger and wise as they must always think before they act (such as making a kill).
Relevantly the structure of the criminal lifestyle has not changed until today but however it still demonstrates and fulfils the traditional view of a nuclear family. It used a patriarchy structure similar to its time when it was filmed; the man of the family is the breadwinner (worker) whilst his wife simply cooks and cleans the house.
Scarface (1983):
Scarface also reflects the time it was filmed as Miami had huge numbers of deaths leading from cocaine addition or as well gang wars. Effectively the movie had in fact illustrate the life of many of the rich and famous also living within Miami at the time given that the lifestyle of Tony Montana is an exaggerated view of the American Dream. Unmistakably the audience is able to see the dramatic lifestyle change he face since he is a deprived individual whom suddenly becomes a multimillionaire within a period of 12 months. Living a lavish lifestyle as he has it all, the essential such as a house (mansion in his case) as well as the additional delights such as bright coloured designer suits, jewellery, technology (T.V. in bath tub, CCTV), a tiger as a pet and performance cars.
Casino (1995):
Fantastic epic about Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro who revolutionized Vegas while destroying those around them. DeNiro and Pesci make an amazing team which is probably the reason they have been cast together in, oh, about 400 films. No one (with perhaps the exception of Tarantino) mixes tremendous scripts, colorful wardrobes, glorious soundtracks and magnificent direction to make a balanced film as well as Scorcese.
http://thepulplist.com/2009/05/top-20-gangster-movies-of-the-last-40-years
Similar to all gangster films this too follows the concept of the lead gangsters and protagonist to strives towards what they want despite violating the law along their way. Again the gangsters in this movie are set to be very wealthy due to the causes of their law breaking behaviour but the lifestyle of Robert Dinero is however portrayed as being a simple businessman. Despite laundering dirty money by pinching amounts of capital which is played by his customers in his casino, the role of the lead gangster is set to a minimum standard where he lives simply yet comfortably (unlike Scarface where sports cars are purchased and drugs are taken etc.)
Carlito's Way (1993):
In comparison to Casino, this film also presents the lead gangster Carlito living a simplistic lifestyle rather than it being lavish. Again it’s business before pleasure as Carlito is determined to generate double the money he has invested into a nightclub. As the beginning of the film, it denotates him leaving from prison, which we clearly see how the lifestyle he lives once returning to the outside world. As the period of time of the narrative is consistent, there are no over-period timings, which we are therefore able to view any changes Carlito goes through after making his investment. As the protagonist is a determined character, he primarily focuses on his building his wealth as well as settling down as a family man.
Contemporary films including American Gangster as well as films in the 1990s generally illustrate the gangsters to be associated as well as having greed towards money. It seems as if the gangster characters after that decade have been appealed by wealth rather than ruining their health (e.g. 1980s Tony in Scarface snorts cocaine etc.). All protagonists in the films after 1990 above all put business before pleasure.
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