Evolution of the Gangster and America

The misunderstandings that lead to bloodbaths, the little arguments that start wars, the girlfriend who wants her man to go legit, all are given in some movies that often finds a great reason for us to want to see what happens next. What differentiates mobsters with every day criminals is the respectability they receive from society, and the associations they have with legitimate people in upper level authority. Mobsters usually have connections with mayors, senators, police officers, and any one in a higher level that they do business with to let them operate. So when you really think about it, which is worse, the mobsters or the legitimate people who secretly work with them? Mobster movies are unique unlike any other movie out there, mobster movies pull you in to them and make you feel what the person is feeling, it makes you live what the person is living and makes you see things through their eyes.

The Change of the Gangster Genre The two films that I have chosen to analyze are Carlito's Way (1993) and Out of Sight (1998) both films are of the gangster/crime genre. Genre means what type anything belongs to, or what kind of category something can be placed in. The gangster films belong to the crime genre. The most popular gangster films made were in the 1930's, during this period America was going through the depressions and audiences wanted the characters of these gangster films to gain money, wealth and power during a time of economic decline. The gangster characters in the films were seen as living the American dream but not lawfully or legally.

Ever since the Roaring Twenties, the american gangster has been glorified and romanticized as a sort of modern day Robin Hood. The very name conjures up images of pleasantly smoky speakeasies, flappers in glittering gowns, and hard-livin', fast-talkin' gangsters (YAHOO). Yet pictures of costly silken suits and diamond encrusted pocket watches hardly seem like fitting attire for the likes of common mobsters. It seems inconceivable that they could have hit enough people over the head to afford such luxuries. Respectable working families looked up to these rough riders as the ultimate success story demonstrating the survival of the fittest and the ingenuity of the American man.

By using a tough cruel façade while showing an ambitious desire for success, they rise to power. The crim... ... middle of paper ... ...ng to fashion, morality, and the prevailing definition of what constitutes illegal and immoral activities. There is even a recognizable gangster “look”, regardless of the era, that depends on an insatiable appetite for flamboyant clothes that marks him as a strutting peacock and a social misfit (Yaquinto xii). The faces of the gangsters have also changed over the years, not just because movie stars shine and fade away, but because the images of real-life criminals have changed. Gangsters have nearly always come from the bottom of society and get their start in the gangs that thrive on America’s meanest streets (Lexis-Nexus).

Initially, however, in gangster genre the accumulation of wealth and power seems unstoppable and in Goodfellas Henrys youthful fascination with the mobsters in his neighbour hood mirrors the public fascination with the ma... ... middle of paper ... ...enrys drug fuelled recklessness which later on leads to his final arrest. The opening indicates the excitement of being a gangster. Scorsese brings a twist to these conventions that make the film and his characters more appealing to the audience as they seem like ordinary people. Scorsese demythologises the gangster world, much of what initially attracts the young Henry is a charade, as the narrative unfolds we see relationships deteriorate as greed and paranoia take hold as characters move from loyalty to betrayal. Normally the protagonist invariably dies in a hail of bullets, Henry returns to a normal anonymous lifestyle he was trying to escape.

And for this dominance, or rather monopoly, ringleaders do not think twice about taking their competition out – not by buying them out or forcing them into bankruptcy, but by sending a squad out to murder them. Like most things captured on film for the purpose of being marketed, the richness of gangster life, with sex, money, and power in surplus, is glorified, and thus embraced by the audience. And as a rule, if something works Hollywood repeats it, ala a genre. What Scarface and Little Caesar did was ultimately create a genre assigning powerful qualities to criminals. Such sensationalism started with the newspapers who maybe added a little more color here and there to sell a few more copies, which is portrayed in Scarface’s two newspaper office scenes.

Once he sees Corky is female his suspicions are destroyed. The mise-en-scene allows the audience insight into the characters and what kind of film it is. There are certain things typical of a mafia/gangster movie. Ceasar is well presented in a suit and welcomes Corky to 'the family'; his accent is also reminiscent of the characters in 'The Godfather'. We find out that Ceasar is used to having people who are ex-con's ... ... middle of paper ... ...e the most effective to analyse the genre and narrative as they both have an effect throughout the film.

With all these problems, people were still getting drunk, so even with the law drunkenness hardly decreased. This made people begin to realise that by repealing the law alcohol would help get the taxes from it so the USA could stop wastin... ... middle of paper ... ...on prohibition had seen itself into. He helped put America back onto its feet without the need of prohibition. Prohibition ended because of the St Valentines massacre due to the increase of gangsters and violent crimes sweeping the USA It seemed Prohibition had failed. It had made the USA law-less, the police were corrupt and the gangsters were rich and powerful.

The gangster genre within films in America has accomplished numerous positive criticisms and constant willing audiences due to containing outstanding spectacles and mind-blowing action. The Godfather, being second on the IMDb Top 250 Movies, has set a new popular concept to life within the Mafia from their point of view. Doing so, creating a positive association. Yet within Italy, the same topic contains a complete different view. Movies such as I Cento Passi demonstrate unenthusiastic view by those whom are outside yet negatively affected by those members.

Capone was also able to avoid the federal government and hide all of his illegal activities but was charged for tax evasion. Overall, Al Capone is one of the most infamous gangsters in American history. He built a massive empire on popular illegal activities of the 1920s. He fascinated the public until the horrendous murders became very public and the worst economic times of America set in. The mob age began to settle down.