It turns out that the “favor” is merely doing his job – make Sonny presentable enough for an open-casket. Should be standard procedure for a competent mortician.
Sonny was lit up like a pinball machine. I can’t remember if he was shot in the head and face, but it seems like a LOT of work would be necessary to make him look presentable in an open casket.
Bonasera’s obligation extended to Vito’s funeral. He can be seen briefly standing behind a floral display when Michael walks back after talking to Tessio.
IIRC, in the book, at the funeral Tom tells Bonasera that his obligation to his godfather has ended. (The family was moving to Nevada and so Bonasera wasn’t going to provide for Mama Corleone’s funeral.)
Mobsters have been interested in gaining an “in” with funeral parlors for the purposes of disposing of bodies. E.g., in a crematorium or by using a “double decker” coffin.
Yeah, but the way he made it seem in the added scene with his wife was that he was somehow now a target merely for filling the role of a funeral director, and acting like the ask from the Corleone family was somehow a big ask. Seems to me he got the better end of the deal in the favor department, so he should quit whining!
I remember seeing a documentary about the movie, or maybe an interview with James Caan. Apparently, no one had ever used as many squibs on a person before and they weren’t quite sure if they would injure him.
Could someone give a correct english translation of that old man’s (Strachi?) Song during the wedding reception?