McRod,

Welcome to a brother across the pond. It's always great to have a European perspective.

As you have no doubt gleened from your thread here, you will gain a depth to understanding the GF storyline. My perspective might be a little more on the artistic. When you bash the film against the book you will undoubtedly find more depth in the novel. Credit Coppola for creating a film masterpiece, but occasionally you find the dialog or storyline will have some bumps and screeches; as you pointed out. I think the tough thing about making a film and screenplay is condensing 10 pages of dialog and narrative into 3 sentences without losing the original thought. Thus, the awkward scene you describe.

After 36 years, we have the luxury of dissecting and analyzing - but mind you not criticizing - a masterful work of art. And we have the benefit of insight from such folks as the Professor Turnbull, goombah, Apple On Ya and many more. Enjoy the Gangster BB. I think you will find it enlightening and it will add to your enjoyment of the GF Trilogy.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, whoever humbles himself will be exalted - Matthew 23:12