10. Michael Corleone
The Godfather
Sure Michael was in the first Godfather film, but that was more about Vito than anything. From the beginning, Michael wanted nothing to do with the family business (the business being the family) and attended Dartmouth and became a WW2 Marine (against Vito's wishes). Still caring about his family when his father is nearly assassinated, he volunteers to kill Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo and Capt. McCluskey, both of whom are killed at his hand. He exiles himself to Sicily and only returns to New York upon learning his older brother Sonny was killed, having to take over his role operating head of the family. Soon, though, Vito dies and Michael becomes Don of the Corleone crime family. Viciously slaughtering the members of the Barzini crime family, Michael cements his reputation as a ruthless mafia boss.
A lot for a first film, but Michael truly shines in the second part. Charting his complete moral decay, Michael does all he can to keep things legitimate but family and enemies (especially ones who keep putting hits out on him) keep him from trying to live a simple life. By the end of the film, Michael is forced to deal with all his mistakes, all his problems, as the rage he must face in this film will haunt him for the rest of his life. Pacino's transformation from an innocent to a vicious crime boss is one of the singular best performances in film.
Then Part III came along and fucked everything up for everyone.
Defining moment: Michael's chilling confrontation with Fredo after realizing Fredo was talking to Hyman Roth. He knows what he has to do. Have Fredo murdered. And he knows its a choice that will stay with him forever.
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