In my opinion, one of the greatest movies ever made (second only to the sequel "The Godfather Part II" and Robert DeNiro's incredible resurrection of the young Vito Corleone) ~ it continues to draw us in with its powerful message of family values tangled up in bloodshed, violence, and that mysterious force understood best by those of Italian descent: respect.
Having grown up where and when I did ~ Little Italy of the Bronx in the Fifties/early Sixties ~ where the characters of the movie were real-life people, that underlying message of respect was the very first thing every kid learned.
Respect! Immediately recognized and understood. We knew enough to not venture near (or look into) the many "social clubs" sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. The unspoken (and unnecessary) message of store windows painted black, doors slightly ajar on summer days, we knew better than to bother them. Whatever went on behind those doors and windows was not our business to know, but we all felt safer having them among us. They kept the neighborhood secure, protected and intact and we were grateful to them for that.
Many of us were on the receiving end of their largess. I never questioned my extensive wardrobe as a young woman, all those beautiful dresses that "fell off the back of a truck," thanks to my uncles who worked in the garment district. And since some of my uncles also worked in the jukebox business, I had the greatest record collection any kid could ever hope for. What, me worry? Not a chance! "The guys" were our very own version of Robin Hood and we loved them for it.
Watching the movie over and over again also brings forth bittersweet memories...of impossibly large family gatherings, a shared and deeply missed camaraderie of food, love, laughter and music. Invited outsiders were more often than not overwhelmed by the sheer volume of it all.
So, the 'offer that I [personally] can't refuse' is the chance to revisit "The Godfather" and to cherish the memories that come with it...minus the guns, but definitely with the cannoli!
