The Godfather is a difficult film for our purposes. It contains so many brilliant set-pieces that picking out one scene for mention seems an exercise in futility. Such highlights include the “darkies” speech at the meeting of the five families, the restaurant assassination, and Clemenza’s “leave the gun, take the cannoli” remark. Regardless, it’s the cigarette scene that has always been my favourite, as it’s the moment it’s here where Michael’s downfall truly begins.
Michael arrives at the hospital to visit his father and finds it almost entirely abandoned. It doesn’t take him long to realise a second attempt at the Don’s life is about to be made. By chance, Enzo – the young baker who was permitted to stay in the country due to the Don’s influence – has also turned up to pay his respects, so he and Michael have to look like a couple of tough guys to scare away the hit squad. This is not the kind of business a baker is typically qualified for, and understandably he’s panicked. He tries to like a cigarette, but his hands are shaking too much. Michael lights it for him, and notices that his own hands in contrast are perfectly steady.
What I love about this scene is that it marks the point where Michael’s descent into evil begins. Prior to this, he was the one innocent Corleone, refusing to get involved in the family business. Soon after, however, we see him planning hits against the men trying to kill his father. It doesn’t matter why Michael remain so calm. Maybe his nerves were strengthened by his experiences in the war, or maybe it’s just his nature. Either way, it’s at this moment when Michael realises that he will always be the man he has fought so hard not to become.
Grace Notes 