Juxtaposition: to be placed side by side often for means of comparison or contrast. Michael and Sonny are the two main brothers that are portrayed during the film of “The Godfather”. Although, closely related, they are extremely different and as the movie continues this only becomes more apparent.
Michael is the more reluctant of the two to become involved in the family business, however once he does he displays the true persona of a mafia member. He is calm in the face of danger and he doesn’t let his anger overwhelm him. When his father is in danger he automatically knows exactly what to do. And in doing so he remains completely calm regardless of the danger he faces.
Sonny has always been a member of the mafia. In comparison to Michael, though, he is hotheaded and does things on impulse without fully thinking it through. At times when danger is imminent he fails to display the calm readiness that Michael does, and instead is more aggravated by the situation.
These two characters are character FOILS, however, when Michael is sent to Italy in hiding they share a likeness. They both have a large chance of becoming the Don’s Successor. There is one scene that uses juxtaposition to show this similarity of the brothers. The camera keeps switching from Sonny’s life to Michael’s. They are both shown cheating on their significant others and then walking away followed by their entourage. This specific use of juxtaposition helps to remind the audience of how powerful the two of them are, and how despite their differences they are still brothers.
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