Even the better aspects of the Corleone family are shown in a light that makes them seem contrary to the personalities and wills of other, more "typical" Italian-Americans. That is, their positive qualities are shown in the film to be aberrations; departures from the Italian-American norm. Don Corleone's initial reluctance -- refusal, in fact -- to become involved in any way with the drug trade makes him appear noble, yet it is at the expense of the broader Italian-American image. The other Five Families, who are also of course Italian-Americans, are either in favor or at least not against this new money-making effort, and eventually Don Corleone is forced to conform with this more sinister version of the Italian immigrant. Not only does this film contain the self-reinforcement of Italian-American stereotypes, it actually implies tat resisting emulation of these stereotypes is impossible.

Though it takes a lighter and far less...
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