The Powder Keg of In The Godfather: Why Don Barzini Allows Fabrizio's Attempt
In Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic The Godfather, the question of why Don Barzini allows Fabrizio to attempt the assassination of Michael Corleone even after Vito has made the peace deal remains a captivating and complex one. This article delves into the narrative nuances of this pivotal moment, drawing on both cinematic details and thematic interpretations.
Context and Timeline
The scene in question occurs shortly after the murder of Apollonia, wife of Tom Hagen, solicitor to the Corleone family. This incident immediately precedes the complex series of events that include socio-political negotiations and internal family dynamics. Given the timeline in the movie, it is reasonable to assume that the attempt on Michael's life happens before the peace deal is made.
Considering the meeting of the five families, which is portrayed as a significant turning point, Barzini did not make another attempt while Vito Corleone was alive. This lends credence to the idea that Barzini’s plans are inherently tied to the period where Vito is still in power.
The Nature of Barzini’s Ambition
Barzini’s approach in the Godfather is marked by a sort of moral relativism. Much like former U.S. president Donald Trump, he views success as the ultimate end and is willing to do what it takes to achieve it, often disregarding warnings of potential consequences. He represents a stark contrast to the more traditionally patriotic and ethical mafiosi like Vito and Michael.
Barzini's philosophy can be described as follows: if he could get away with it, he would do it. He wields success as a blunt object, and any threats to it are greeted with indifference. His disregard for the potential long-term repercussions of his actions is a defining characteristic of his character. This is visible in his willingness to engage in subversion and betrayal to gain power and control.
The Irony of Success
Barzini’s perspective is profoundly self-centered. He views success as the ultimate goal and is willing to bend any rule to achieve it. However, this selfishness often backfires, as it did for the House of Barzini at the end of the film. Barzini’s approach is unsustainable. Even if he succeeds in his immediate aims, success is rarely enough to satiate his ego, and he constantly seeks more.
The irony, however, remains that success ironically heralds failure. In Barzini’s vision of power, the ultimate goal is to be invincible, but this also means being immortalized as a threat. Any momentary success is merely a stepping stone to a greater failure, as any new leader will come and confront the Barzini legacy.
The recurrent idea that success is often followed by a looming presence of its own undoing is a powerful theme in the film. Barzini, in his relentless pursuit of power, fails to grasp that his legacy as a threat will eventually lead to his downfall.
The Strategic Gap in Timing
However, it is crucial to note that if indeed the hit on Michael took place after the peace conference, several possibilities must be considered. The most plausible scenario involves timing:
1. Time Lag in Communication: The message of the peace deal did not reach Barzini in time, possibly due to communication issues or misinterpretations.
2. Blatant Calculation: The timing of the attempt was so close to the peace conference that Barzini reckoned he could strike while Vito was distracted or incapacitated, thereby weakening the Corleone family significantly.
3. Intentional Inaction: The possibility that Barzini purposely delayed his action, knowing full well that Vito’s influence was waning, to disrupt any potential peace deal.
These explanations suggest a more nuanced picture where Barzini’s actions are not purely reactive but also strategically planned and timed to maximize his advantage. The interplay between these factors adds layers of complexity to the character of Barzini and underscores the intricate nature of the Godfather's plot.
In Conclusion
The question of why Don Barzini allows Fabrizio to attempt to kill Michael Corleone, even after a peace deal is made, encapsulates the central conflict of The Godfather. It highlights the ethical and moral dilemmas of power and the consequences of such actions. Barzini's decision can be understood as a result of his view of success and his calculated risks, further emphasizing the film's critique on the nature of power and its ultimate destruction.
While the timing and the ultimate motivation remain open to interpretation, the underlying themes of ambition, power, and the futility of such pursuits are as relevant today as they were in 1972, making The Godfather a timeless classic.