Posted By: Jimmy Buffer
Does anyone here think maybe Sonny would have truly been the better Don? - 11/02/05 01:31 AM
I happened to think of this while reading some of the very insightful posts that have been written in the past several weeks. I haven't been here as long as some of you, but these past couple weeks have been the best the reads I've ever witnessed. I think that is a testament to everyone, but specifically Christina's Way. Keep up the good work!
Now, to my question. I think it is pretty much the consensus here that Michael really was the best choice to inherit the Corleone Empire. Vito even admits such, and who are we to argue with him? With all the talk about how Michael failed miserably in trying to become the beloved figure that his father is protrayed as, however, it made me wonder if Sonny really wouldn't have been the better don? He wouldn't have made the Corleone business empire as successful as Michael, but from a pure Corleone "family" standpoint, does anyone think he could have maybe had a more successful run than Michael. He seemed to really hold true to the same ideals as his father for the most part. Having a mistress being an exception, but even straight-laced Tom had a mistress. I guess maybe a good way of stating the point I'm trying to get across is that Sonny might not have been the better "Don", but he might have been the better "head" of the Corleone Family.
Of course the counter to what I'm trying to say is that Sonny's temper would have never allowed him to stay in control as Don for any extended period of time anyways. I think being in a position of power changes people. Look at how much Michael metamorphasized throughout the trilogy. I think it is unfair to simply judge Sonny based on his actions as head of the family during Vito's healing period. While he proved to be uncapable during this time as Don, I think under different circumstances he could have maintained Vito's empire with the aid of his life-long friend Tom Hagen. I don't think he would have had the success or vision of Michael, but I think he would have done well enough to "been so loved" as Michael put it in Part III.
Now, to my question. I think it is pretty much the consensus here that Michael really was the best choice to inherit the Corleone Empire. Vito even admits such, and who are we to argue with him? With all the talk about how Michael failed miserably in trying to become the beloved figure that his father is protrayed as, however, it made me wonder if Sonny really wouldn't have been the better don? He wouldn't have made the Corleone business empire as successful as Michael, but from a pure Corleone "family" standpoint, does anyone think he could have maybe had a more successful run than Michael. He seemed to really hold true to the same ideals as his father for the most part. Having a mistress being an exception, but even straight-laced Tom had a mistress. I guess maybe a good way of stating the point I'm trying to get across is that Sonny might not have been the better "Don", but he might have been the better "head" of the Corleone Family.
Of course the counter to what I'm trying to say is that Sonny's temper would have never allowed him to stay in control as Don for any extended period of time anyways. I think being in a position of power changes people. Look at how much Michael metamorphasized throughout the trilogy. I think it is unfair to simply judge Sonny based on his actions as head of the family during Vito's healing period. While he proved to be uncapable during this time as Don, I think under different circumstances he could have maintained Vito's empire with the aid of his life-long friend Tom Hagen. I don't think he would have had the success or vision of Michael, but I think he would have done well enough to "been so loved" as Michael put it in Part III.