Just like to congratulate Anthony Lombardi on his exellent desciption of Cazale's astounding acting in this scene - it truly was awesome, what a legend.

A great monolgue for me is the 'roman empire' discussion with Hagen and Pentangeli in which Hagen tells him in code that he must kill himself with Pentangeli agreeing with the condition his family would be looked after

Hagen - That was a good break

Hagen - Everythings gonna be ok frankie five angels

Great acting made that scene one of the greats

This is definitely not the best monologue, but one that I think is pretty amusing is Paulie's little aside at the wedding, "20 - 30 grand... in small bills cash..." I just like the way he says it. Plus, it foreshadows Paulie's future betrayal of the family.

Yeah i liked that bit too, i love all those wedding scenes. An ironic moment for me is in the deleted scene when Tessio refers to Paulie as a 'little punk' which in light of his later betrayal seems a bit hypocritical

I am going to have to go with Mike/Fredo in Part II.

As for Fredo's "I'm smart" scene, I found that scene to be a little extreme...The acting itself by Cazale was excellent yes, but I believe he overdid it with his shaking hands...He looked like he had cerebal palsy, it was a little too much....Minus the overdone shaking and his scene may have been more authentic...

Paulie Gatto's lil monologue is kinda funny...We say that all the time here at work..."Marone, if this was somebody else's wedding, sweet tonata!"

But Woltz's monologue remains my favorite...not the deepest, not profound...but it was very Broadway...very purist, it was authentic acting...not to mention almost every other thing he said was a memorable quote...

"and if that Goomba tries any rough stuff, you tell him, I AINT NO BAND LEADER....yeeeah...I heard that story....

The hand thing bothered me a little the first time I saw it.I still to this day cant figure out what it adds to the character(maybe he's signing that he knew he would be killed on the lake,hows that for rediculous? )Still ,its one of my favorite scenes in the whole trilogy.

BTW-Thanks for stealing my avatar.It was the only way I could quickly find my posts.

I have to say the scene between Michael and Fredo is the best and both give great monlogues in it.

I really dont think he overdid it either DonSonny. I mean Fredo had been a part of the family business a lot longer than Michael (even tho he never really did anything important) so it had to have angered him how Mike was able to just come in out of nowhere and become the new Don Corleone. Like he said, he was "passed over" and had never vented out his anger to anyone. He's suppose to look like he has a cerebral pulsy cuz he has no control of his emotions in that scene. It was a great acting job by Cazale.

damn right, well said busta

He was shaking because he was scared, its a natural reaction, Fredo is an absolute nervous wreck - the shaking only added to Cazale's supreme delivery! I loved it, just can't believe anyone could criticize it, overdone? never.

I am not criticizing the scene, critiquing it, yes...Cazale acted that scene very well, I am not saying he didnt...His delivery, his passion, his facial expression was all genuine...BUT...

Like I said, I felt he overdid the hand quivering effect just a little bit...It looked as if one of his hands had died and he was shaking it to bring it back to life...Nervous wreck is one thing...but Cazale had his wrist completely limp as he shook his arm frantically...

Everything in that scene was well done, but he could have toned down his hand chattering...I felt it took away from the scene just a little bit...

Ok, I understand what you mean stylistic, I just think it was jus showing he had no control over his body which is why it may have looked weird and overdone. I get what you're saying tho.

You are entitled to your opinion, but i beleive the shaking was spot on, it was one of the first things i marvelled at when i first watched it.

Sorry i thought it was absolutely great and in NO WAY overdone

I in no way think its overdone.He's nervous, but he's also frusterated for all the reasons we've said. he was in the business since,we'll assume here, since he graduated, and mike didnt even want to take that path.He was passed over and only wanted some respect.

Thanks Style

Had to change my avatar for you Sonny...Your the Don Sonny, you should be entitled to your Santino avatar

Sonny is GOD isnt he, James Caan's performance is of F ucking brilliant its untrue, i dont think the film would have been the same without him

Nothing like the ass whopping Sonny gives Carlo...perhaps one of the most memorable scenese ever...Anyone seen that episode of The Simpsons which parodied that scene? Marge beating up a mugger...classic...everything was to the tee, including the open fire hydrant and gargage can...

...andthe way Flanders pulls his kids back The Simpsons does a lot of GF spoofs.

apart from the missed punch, which we can put down to over anger, it is possible to miss a punch, it was one of the greatest scenes in film history, Caan put his heart and soul into it, what a legend, Sonny gave Carlo a beating a beating he would never forget, YOU JUST DONT MESS WITH SONNY, especially with his broom handle