Foil

Character Role Analysis

Sonny and Michael

Sonny isn't Michael's enemy, but he's a foil because he contrasts strongly with him. They're on the same team, yet they have different styles. Sonny reacts in a personal way to the rival mobsters' attacks, and he is strong yet undisciplined. Michael, by contrast, is all business, and his initially unassuming manner masks a calculating and shrewdly ruthless mind.

Michael is ultimately able to learn from Sonny's mistakes and generally wrong attitudes, though. Rather than driving directly into an assassination like Sonny, Michael constantly thinks and plots ahead. It serves him well.