Identify three actors from your film and classify each according to the types of actors listed in your text.
The film I chose for this blog is The Godfather. The three actors I chose to identify are Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan. All three of the actors are stars.
Explain your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific references to the film and pay special attention to how these decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film
All three actors are well known for their many films and all three of them have been in hit films. If you see any of these actors names in a film then you can almost guarantee that it is a successful film and well known. Most people know these actors and the films that they have been in. Marlon Brando had been in films for 50 years and has had an outstanding career. Everyone knows Al Pacino for such films as The Godfather, Scarface, Serpico, etc. James Caan is known for such films as The Godfather, Elf, Misery, etc. These three actors were the main actors in this film, Marlon Brando played as Vito Corleone, The Godfather (Don) in the beginning of the film later to be taken over by Al Pacino who plays as Michael Corleone and James Cann played as Sonny Corleone. Marlon Brando was the head of the Corleone family which was part of the Italian mafia in New York. People loved and feared him as a friend and family member. Michael Corleone went from being a war hero to becoming the most powerful man in the Italian mafia and head of the Corleone family. Sonny Corleone was a hot head who acted as the Don temporarily and let his anger get the best of him and was shot to death in the film.
Focus on one of the actors you’ve discussed. Based on other films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in the same category? If so, what does this say about the category or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these categories? Provide evidence (references from other films, including film clips and stills) to support your argument.
Al Pacino is always a star in all of his films and he always will be. He has great stage presence, he always puts forth a great performance, and he becomes whatever role he is given. In the film Scarface he goes from a Cuban immigrant to the leader of a drug cartel. In the film Donnie Brasco he is a member of the mafia in New York and has the lead role. In the film Carlito’s Way he plays as Carlito Brigante an ex-con drug dealer who tries to keep his nose clean but is pulled back into the world of drugs and violence. He is already known as one of the best actors of all times and his reign of being a star is far from over.
References:
Carlitos way: Shoot out. (2012, January 15). Retrieved September 4, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ6iWr9TYjs
Donnie Brasco – It’s a Fugazi. (2013, September 28). Retrieved September 4, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixd-N8_Drc
Godfather. (n.d.). Retrieved September 4, 2014, from http://hdimages.mobi/godfather/
Say Hello to My Little Friend – Scarface (8/8) Movie CLIP (1983) HD. (2011, June 16). Retrieved September 4, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_z4IuxAqpE
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