Food in films act not only as placement items but also as items that provide insight into the meaning of the plot, the relationship between people and the culture of the people in the film. Food can be presented and eaten in different ways to portray different meanings. Food sets up relationships between individuals and whole families. Dinner time in films is crucial to the setting up of family relationships. Dinner time is the time of day the people communicate the most, and establish relationships. Masculinity and femininity are shown when dinner time arrives in films. The difference in what each gender prepares and eats shows a lot. In this way food stereotypes people. Food in the form of stimulants and depressants shows characters dependence on them. Food serves as a way to reinforce and carry the theme throughout the film. In some films food is linked to violence. Food provides a break from the harsh scenes of the violent films. Overall food can express many meanings, add to a film and make a film more complete.
Food serves many purposes in The Godfather and portrays many meanings. Dinner time is a crucial time of the day for the Corleones and the members of the Mafia who assist them. Communication is key at the dinner table. However, as it is expressed in the film, "Business is never discussed at the dinner table." This is true when it comes to the formal dining with the female members of the family and children. On the other hand business is heavily discussed when it is only the men. The men discuss the upcoming hit and other business while eating Chinese. Dinner time also unites the men together to serve one purpose.
In The Godfather, the line between masculinity and femininity is slightly blurred by some scenes. Normally women are the ones to prepare the meal but at times the men step in. For example, when Don Corleone is shot, Clemenza must prepare the meal for the other members. He even attempts to teach Michael how to cook by saying, "You never know, you might have to cook for twenty guys someday."
In The Godfather food provides a break from the violent acts that the Mafia members perform. Before the hit on the bad policeman and Sollozzo the men eat together. After the hit the film watcher sees Michael and another man dwelling and eating in a small room. At other times the family gathers together for social events and meals.
Food in the form of stimulants and depressants are abundant throughout the film. The men drink and smoke often. Whenever bad news must be delivered or something that is bad must be done, a drink is taken. It seems that a drink is used to symbolize the difficulties that are encountered and the assistance that is needed to push through the bad times. Don Corleone also usually smokes a cigarette when he is discussing business in his office and Michael continues this when he takes over for his father. When all five head of the families have a meeting together some of them smoke. The comforting stimulants and depressants are a necessary addition to the stressful days of mafia members.
The gender blurring that you bring up is important since it seems the film suggests that the world of the mafia is solely a man's world. Thus, in those moments when work calls, men must fulfill both male and female social roles, including cooking. You're right that it's an interesting blurring--and it points out just how outside of the "family" the women really are, which appears to be a huge contradiction to the idea of family, doesn't it?
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