The Mafia shown in different genres
How does genre play into the mafia myth? Does drama function better? What does comedy do to the conceptualization of myth?
There are many things that play into the Mafia Myth, be it family, and loyalty to drugs and religion. Many of the characteristics of a mafioso that were discussed in Mafia Myths reading have been seen in the movies we have watched. We have seen the Mafia being portrayed in many ways. Throughout the semester we have watched films in many different genres that include comedy and drama.
Genre plays into the Mafia Myth by showing romanticized examples of the organization. Throughout the semester we have watched films of many different genres, but have notices a few common themes. We see the mafioso wearing nice cloths, being loyal to their family with any means necessary, owning a business, and take care of the people who they are close with. We see the mafia romanticized in both genres but in different ways. In comedies, we see the mafia as being less scary than in dramas. In dramas we see the mafia more realistically.
In the film At War with Love, we see the Mafia being portrayed in a comedy. We see Arturo going to Sicily, riding in on a donkey, with him unaware Mafia is out to kill him. His venture for asking Flora’s father for her hand in marriage eventually opens his eye to what is really going on and what he is really doing there; the U.S. army was helping the mafia. This film shows the seriousness of the Mafia in a comedic style that is light hearted and easy to watch. In my opinion, this film did capture the mafia in a serious light but it wasn’t until more than half way through that I realized what was actually happening in the movie. It was not until half way through that I realized the U.S. was helping the mafia. On the other hand, we see drama in the Godfather when Michael goes from not wanting to be a part of what his family does, to becoming the head of the family. This film shows the Mafia in a more serious light that. In my opinion, drama captivates the essences of the mafia better than comedy. The films that are more dramatic function better in the sense that it grabs people’s attention as well as better opens their eye to what is really happening in the world.
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