The Godfather

Michael Kills Solozzo

In The Godfather, during the scene where Michael is sitting in a restaurant with Solozzo, the camera constantly cuts between the two of them, however, when the camera is on Michael it is a close-up shot and when it shifts to Solozzo it is a shot from Michael's point of view; this subjects the audience to Michael's interpretation of the situation. Furthermore, Michael get's much more screen time than Solozzo and McKluskey which emphasises the emotions shown by Michael, the screen is also always so close to Michael it shows that he is trapped and enclosed in an uncomfortable position.

During the conversation between Michael and Solozzo in Italian, there is no subtitles, this increases tension and makes the audience feel as if they are not privileged enough to be apart of this elite conversation. The tension is increased in this conversation because the audience know's Michael has been sent to kill Solozzo and yet they have to rely on facial expressions to see whether Michael with go through with his task. During this conversation there is a wide-shot of the table; this shows that most of the tables around them are completely empty and there is barely anyone in the restaurant, this identifies that Michael is completely isolated and alone with no escape apart to complete his mission.

The sounds in the restaurant are emphasised to an almost unrealistic volume which can express Michael's fear and adrenaline levels, he then leaves to go to the bathroom to almost escape the all consuming paranoia at the table. While he looks for the gun it seems as if it takes him a while which increases the tension and the sounds in the bathroom are also blown out of proportion as if to show his nervousness and the pressure of his mind-numbing decision. Just before Michael leaves the bathroom he attempts to basically cleanse himself of any signs of fear and nervousness by checking himself and as he steps outside of the bathroom and back into the restaurant the deigetic sounds of the kitchen and train almost hit him instantly.

As Michael is contemplating his decision, the sound of the train slowly increases in volume to give the impression that the film is building towards some significant moment. As Michael prepares to shoot Solozzo and McKluskey, the audience begins to see the event through his eyes