[2BNTV]

Being of Italian descent, I came from a neighborhood where some people were connected to the mob. They were not hard core criminals like in the movie. About 99.9% were hard working families that enjoyed their culture of food, being a close knit family and inviting friends to their homes where food was in abundance.

The Godfather and II was a story about a family that happened to be Italian. Minus the violence, it mirrored what happens to most families of all cultures. When you are children, you play together. When you are teenagers, you may go on double dates. When you get married, you go to each others houses and the cousin children play together. When you get much older, differences may develop in the family structure. Finally, if the parents are fairly wealthy and had several children, when they pass away, the stuff hits the fan as to who gets what.

We all know the mob exists but it is in many cultures, not just the Italian culture. I know Italians being depicted as a bunch of thugs with no class has been popular with the movie makers, so The Godfather joins the list of other films that portrays a seemly side of life.

Again, this is a story of one Italian family. I suggest reading the book as the story line is not like the movie and gives more background into these flawed people.

BTW - The Godfather II was the only sequel to win the academy award.