Johnny Fontane

This is the scene credited for the " I am going to make him an offer he can't refuse" spoken by the Don which has become the quote of the film. Although spoken differently in the novel, the line to me has more to do with Vito Corleone displaying his conviction of resolving all matters in a favour first, escalate to violence later manner. But with the understanding that violence is inevitable.
The scene itself was not so much aobut Johnny Fontane but more about Vito's Corleone's feeling of some contempt for his working sons in his Business. Asking Johnny if he spends time with his family to display his distaste for Sonny's choices. It is apparent that Tom Hagan is no fan of Johnny from the opening of the scene "Its been two years..he is probably in Trouble" and he also openly smiles as Johnny gets told "You can act like a man". Nothing goes unnoticed with the Don, he sends Tom to go talk to Waltz almost as a punishment for mocking one of his favourites and showing up Johnny by smiling. The way the scene is shot it establishes Tom as the "son" on the outside and Sonny as the son not focused on what needs to be done. This scene to me is the first scene of the film, while the "I believe in America" and "Wedding" were chapters meant for the reader or the audience of the film.

The Wedding Scene

After the "I believe in America" scene, its hard to think of a sequence that could draw you in further, but the wedding scene is one of the greatest sequences filmed. The sequence of scenes was designed to introduce the major characters in the film. Unlike the first scene which shows the weakness people have in wanting success, money, american dream, revenge and how the Godfather capitilizes on that. Bonesara really represents the audience watching, cause most would go the Don for revenge. The wedding scene not only introduces the characters but shows you their true nature and actually foreshadows role each will play in the film. In some ways the wedding sequence is the whole film condensed into scenes which give you the insight into the character and the part they will play in the conclusion. When you watch the characters like Micheal Corleone, talking to Kay. Even though he at this point wants no part of the family business, there still is a coldness in his voice when talking about Joey Fontane or Luca Brasi. Sonny's wildness, that you sub-consiciously know will be the death of him. Tom Hagan's loyality but not quite fitting the familoy role. I remember my first time watching this film and not being surprised what happens to each of these and other characters. It seems this wedding scence introduced the characters and the way it was filmed and written prepared the audience for the outcome. This chapter in the film really is the film summarized for you.

I believe in America

The first four words of the greatest film ever made "I believe in America". A scene where the character Bonesara is telling is destiny in America, while Vito Corleone is about to be played out in the rest of the film. The scene is amazing and to me the importance of the scene is the when Bonesara breaks down "...beautiful girl"..."She will never be beautiful again.." you still have not seen Vito Corleone's face but you see his hand move in a gesture which guides someone in the room to give Bonesara a drink. The audience knows without reading the book or even knowing what this film about is the person sitting in the chair has power and is controlling things by the mere gesture of his hands. The way a puppet master controls the strings of the puppets around him. Bonesara is like most characters in the film, he has the flaws that the Godfather can take advantage of. He was a weak father, never said anything to his daughter, believed in something that really gave him no satisfaction and was after revenge which never has any value. The godfather character fools the people and audience around him by thinking he is doing them favours or offer them services in return for favours. When really he is taking advantage of the characters around him. Brilliantly played by Marlon Brando, this first scene shows the mix of friendship, loyalty, business deals, violence and family all at once. Bonesara could never separate the mix, much like most characters in the film. The end of the scene establishes that this mix is what life is made of and we all need a friend like Vito Corleone...
"..Be my friend...Godfather.."