Yes, if you read the Godfather novel, you'll understand the movie so much better.
I never "got" what Lucy Mancini(sp) was doing with her hands in the movie.
But the novel makes it clear.
And I wish that the Godfather part II was a novel. So much I've never understood. Too bad it was just a screenplay.
I always tell friends who like The Godfather as their favorite movie to read the novel.
One of the rare occasions where the book and the movie are terrific, and can stand alone.
I actually read the book before I saw the Movie. When the movie came out I was too young to see it. I read the book during High School. When VCR's became affordable I bought one and soon after rented the Godfather. I love the Godfather 1 and 2 but I absolutely can not stand the 3rd one. In the second one when Kate is visiting her kids after she and Michael divorced what does Micheal do when he comes home and sees her leaving? He looks at her and shuts the door without a word. This is a guy who had his brother killed. Do you really think he would ever take Kate back like he did in the third one? It would be like Rhett Butler going back to Scarlett.
BTW in the book Lucy Mancini was much more then just Sonny's mistress. But I'm sure you know that.