The Modern Al Pacino

Every family has some strange holiday traditions. Mine just happens to center around the Mafia! Don't worry, I'm not about to divulge that my family has connections in high places. To be honest, we're more of a Chrismas hog kind of family than a dead-horse-head-in-the-bed kind of family, but does that make us boring? Uh, no. In fact, every year around Christmas my family (well, specifically my mom, aunt and I) curl up in front of the fire and click on... The Godfather, one, two and three (though we do spend most of the third movie mocking Mary Corleone's whine). It's festive, I know. Actually, this year was the first year I was allowed to participate in this tradition because, as you may guess, extremely violent histories about an illegal organisation aren't exactly the kind of Christmas special that my parents found suitable for a 12 year old. But hey, that choice was up to them!

After just the first five minutes of The Godfather 1, I was hooked! The storyline was tragic, intriguing, and brilliantly planned. Not to mention the great fight scenes! As it played out, I stayed up until about 2am in order to watch the second movie as well... I have no regrets! Which is really saying something because, if you know me, I love my sleep. However, despite my lovely Mafia-session the night before, the next morning I woke up... pretty depressed! Now, I've ruled out exhaustion because, though I did hit the sack ridiculously late, I also slept in until noon and therefore met the minimum 10 hours of sleep that I need every day during vacation. So if it wasn't fatigue, what was this horrible gnawing feeling in my stomach? I ate some donuts, mac and cheese and even (WOW) some real food - to no avail. My usually flamboyant vacation mood was stuck in the mud! That's when it hit me:

I was identifying with Al Pacino.

Well, technically I was identifying with Micheal Corleone, but tom-ay-to tom-ah-to.

But why? Why do I identify with the new head of the Mafia? Obviously this means that either a) I have an alter ego who is the head of the Mafia who comes to life as I am sleeping b) I am psychic and subconciously know my future or c) I need to ease up on the egg nog. Personally, I vote for choice a (this would really explain my exhaustion in Physics...) but unfortunately my parents claim to have evidence proving that I do not indeed transform into a Mafia Zombie and escape under the cover of night... Darn. But then what does that leave us? Why am I identifying with Al Pacino?

I suppose the second most rational answer (right after the Mafia Zombie thing) is that I see myself reflected in his character. Both Micheal and I are very studious, are attractive in that mysterious mastermind vampire way, and care deeply for our families. The only difference between us (besides that whole gender thing... and time frame...) is our situation. I am lucky enough to be enjoying a safe, (as far as I know... *squints suspiciously at the family cat*) untainted household, without the pressure to, you know, head the Mafia. On the other hand, Micheal Coreone grew up in a greatly disturbed (though supportive) home and was pressured by unavoidable circumstances to fall into a life of crime. I suppose that, in a way, I see Micheal as an alternate universe of myself, what my life would be if my home life were different. And I suppose that is what makes me so sad when I think about this movie - the idea that there are people out there, just like me, or even better, who are subjected to substandard lives, all due to bad luck.

So, yeah. Just thought I should let you know that I am Al Pacino. No big deal or anything.