The Godfather: Tom Hagen's Linearity

A highly praised performance was that of Robert Duvall who played the role of Tom Hagen. Just like Pacino and Caan, he was also nominated at the Oscars for best actor in a supporting role. Although he has a rich career and a solid reputation in Hollywood, this was by far his greatest performance on the big screen. Never again did he enjoy such a huge success as he did with The Godfather. He plays a secondary role, but his character is of big importance in the film, only All Pacino has more minutes and scenes than him. Tom Hagen is Don Corleone's adoptive son, and at the same time the Family's lawyer and consigliere. He is the most linear character from the The Godfather. He is the only important character that doesn't suffer any changes throughout the whole movie. Just like Don Vito Corleone, he also manages to combine in harmony his private life (wife and children) with his business. Being the right hand of The Godfather charges him with responsibility, but he never loses his head no matter how critical the situation is. His conduct is perfect in every scene of the movie. For example even in the scene where he is kidnapped by Sollozo and finds out about the murder attempt on Don Corleone, he still remains calm and acts normal. Except Don Corleone, he is the only one who keeps his head clear and his self control all the way; "it's business, not personal" being his favorite quote. His remarkable diplomacy and his subtle way of communicating with anyone, regardless of his rank or position in society, make him worthy of the audience's total admiration. His impeccable conduct is noticeable in the scene, and more precisely from the dialogs, with Woltz, the Hollywood producers who refuses to cast Johnny Fontane in his movie:

Woltz: "-Are you trying to muscle me?"

Tom: "-Absolutely not."

Woltz: "-Now listen to me...Let me draw the line for you and your boss whoever he is. Johnny Fontane will never get the movie! I don't care how many daigo guinea WOP greaseball gumbahs come out of the woodwork."

Tom: "-I'm German-Irish."

Woltz: "-Well let me tell you something my Kraut Mick friend, I'm gonna make so much trouble for you, you wont know what hit you!"

Tom: "-Mr. Woltz, I'm a lawyer, I have not threatened you."

Woltz: "-I know every big lawyer in New York, who the hell are you?"

Tom: "-I have a special practice, I handle one client. Now you have my number. By the way, I admire your pictures very much."

One can even notice his subtle sense of humor and his sharp irony from his words, although the dialog takes place in a serious and hostile context. He is a rare, almost unique, type of character: he is a member of the Mafia, he is consigliere and lawyer of The Godfather, he handless the Family's illegal and dirty business, and yet he does not look, act or talk like a gangster. He is an intellectual, he is polite and diplomatic, a gentleman in other words. He's a gangster with manner and style. Another interesting observation is the fact that Tom Hagen is the only link between all the three Godfathers: he is consigliere for Vito Corleone, for Sonny, and for Michael also. However the relationship and interaction with each one differs. With Don Vito Corleone the communication and collaboration is perfect. It is obvious that although Don Corleone is not his natural father, he considers him a role model, a true example. He loves and respects Don Corleone like a real father: "I'm as much a son to him as you (Sonny) or Mike". The feeling is mutual, as Don Corleone treats him like a son, and respects his capability and intelligence: Tom is his number one consigliere, he takes all important decisions