They are Italian - well are they?
Uhh, it feels weird to update after such a long time. So I'll plunge right in:
I finally got around to see The Godfather (even if it was some weird four part TV cut) and it was as good as I expected it to be. It's a shame that I haven't seen it sooner. I'm also developing a belated crush on DeNiro and Pacino. For having grown up with the weathered, matured faces of these actors it's very weird to see them in their early years.
Now I a) have to reread fiorediloto's Heroes/Godfather crossover "Godblessed" and b) do really get all the Neo Corleone references from when Future!Peter had his first appearance (I knew that it was a reference to the Godfather but now that I have actually seen the movie...)
Robert DeNiro as young Vito Corleone aka The Godfather.
Neo Corleone aka Future!Peter Petrelli
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, Vito's youngest son. (Diane Keaton as his wife)
God, I just read that Pacino's father was even born in Corleone, Sicily. *geeks out*
Nurse Petrelli
Seriously, don't they look like cousins? They look more related than the actual Corleone movie brothers. Or perhaps it's just the hilarious mafia poses on these Heroes S1 promos. Why aren't there more Godfather crossovers or mafia AUs?
One more Pacino with bonus emo hair. (Clickable)
Anyway, after having watched parts of Raging Bull, Rocky, The Godfather, The Sopranos and reading a bit about the representation of Italian Americans in cinema I have to say that most of these conventions don't apply to the Petrellis. And I started to wonder if we get any hints about their Italian heritage at all in the series? (Producers who use "They are Italian" to excuse the patented Petrelli shoulder rubs during a commentary don't count).
We get the name and some very vague mobster allusions and the (if twisted) sense of family loyalty but I'm not sure if these are specifically meant to build up the stereotypical Italian American image. Do you perceive the Petrellis as Italian and if you do why?
I finally got around to see The Godfather (even if it was some weird four part TV cut) and it was as good as I expected it to be. It's a shame that I haven't seen it sooner. I'm also developing a belated crush on DeNiro and Pacino. For having grown up with the weathered, matured faces of these actors it's very weird to see them in their early years.
Now I a) have to reread fiorediloto's Heroes/Godfather crossover "Godblessed" and b) do really get all the Neo Corleone references from when Future!Peter had his first appearance (I knew that it was a reference to the Godfather but now that I have actually seen the movie...)
Robert DeNiro as young Vito Corleone aka The Godfather.
Neo Corleone aka Future!Peter Petrelli
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, Vito's youngest son. (Diane Keaton as his wife)
God, I just read that Pacino's father was even born in Corleone, Sicily. *geeks out*
Nurse Petrelli
Seriously, don't they look like cousins? They look more related than the actual Corleone movie brothers. Or perhaps it's just the hilarious mafia poses on these Heroes S1 promos. Why aren't there more Godfather crossovers or mafia AUs?
One more Pacino with bonus emo hair. (Clickable)
Anyway, after having watched parts of Raging Bull, Rocky, The Godfather, The Sopranos and reading a bit about the representation of Italian Americans in cinema I have to say that most of these conventions don't apply to the Petrellis. And I started to wonder if we get any hints about their Italian heritage at all in the series? (Producers who use "They are Italian" to excuse the patented Petrelli shoulder rubs during a commentary don't count).
We get the name and some very vague mobster allusions and the (if twisted) sense of family loyalty but I'm not sure if these are specifically meant to build up the stereotypical Italian American image. Do you perceive the Petrellis as Italian and if you do why?