Painting, oil on canvas 40/30

This is the final scene of Godfather part II, which many people consider the best film ever made. Just prior to this, his nephew was pulled from the boat, so surely Freddo (seated in front) knew that being alone with Rocco meant his own death. Reciting the “Hail Mary” in this scene was therefore not for the fish to bite but his own redemption. The pervasive use of black was not only mandated by the darkness of the montage but the sinister nature of the impending action. In the bow, Rocco has gun drawn at the ready.