The Motif of Doors

Doors have been used so far in “The Godfather” to help the audience understand many different ideas. 

Doors have been used to show separation: during the scene where Luca Brasi is getting ready to go out the camera is looking at him through a door. This makes the audience feel almost as if they are spying on Luca, and that what he is doing is something the audience should not know of or be a part of. 

Doors have also been used to show a transition between the mafia and family life of the Corleones. During the wedding scene all mafia work is done indoors, while the party and family is all outdoors. This makes the separation of the double world many Corleones live in more evident to the audience. 

As the movie continues doors may be used to symbolize multiple other ideas. A door may symbolize a tentative relationship between a Corleone and client, as a door can shut at any moment. This tentative relationship may also be seen between the characters in the movie and the audience. The camera is often outside of a door looking through at the characters, and the door may be shut on the audience having the effect of suspense. Doors may also be used to portray the idea of a way out for Corleones, clients, and the audience. 

The motif of doors have been used very effectively throughout the film so far and I am looking forward to see how they will continually be used. 

Light vs. Dark

In “The Godfather” the use of light and dark to accentuate the film is very evident. Whenever a Corleone is discussing a matter to do with their business there is dark lighting, which often contrasts with a bright scene. During the wedding at the beginning of the movie, shots are constantly switching between the bright, colourful, outdoor wedding and the dark office inside. Once again, this use of dark and light is seen when Hagen goes to visit Woltz. At Woltz’s studio Hagen pulls him aside into a dark corner to discuss Johnny with him, then walks out into the sunny outdoors. 

This use of Dark and light in the movie is very clear and helps the audience understand the Corleone’s business and lifestyle in more detail. Light can be used in a film to determine the mood and how the audience perceives different situations and characters. In the first scene the Don’s character is accentuated by light. There is a soft glow coming from behind him creating a halo around his head, this tells the audience that he is powerful. However, because the light is coming from behind him his whole face is quite dark which makes him hard to read, telling the audience that the Don is powerful with a dark side. This use of light in situations such as this is what adds to both the suspense and understanding of “The Godfather”. 

I believe that the use of dark and light in filming are going to be continually used throughout the film and it is something I am going to look for as we continue to watch the movie.