Proof from the Godfather

For fans of the movie the Godfather. I came across a discussion in Quora about non-Italian actors playing Italians (Brando-the Don, James Caan-Sonny, Abe Vagoda-Tessio) in the Godfather and gentiles playing Jews (Alex Rocco-Moe Green), how it's not a problem because acting talent wins out. And the big proof is Brando who was German, Dutch, English, and Irish. It was a politically correct discussion, how ethnic origin doesn't matter.

I disagree. James Caan was a great actor and his performance as Sonny earned him an Oscar nomination, but in my view he was wrong for the part. Firstly, he didn't look Italian. I know Jewish features. His skin was too pale (family from Germany) and his nose not big Jewish but Jewish. But beyond that he was too intense. There was something Jewish about it. When an Italian is intense, there's a certain verve to it, a humor. Caan was humorless in this role and soul crushing in his arrogance. That's often the sign of a Jew who needs mitzvahs.

Alex Rocco played a lovable Jewish casino owner, but there's no such thing. The Italian in Rocco is what made him warm and humorous. He did not come across as a Jew.

Lee (Israel) Strasberg hit a home run playing Jewish gangster Hyman Roth in Godfather II. The arrogance, brilliance, and ruthlessness, not to mention humorlessness, came through loud and clear.

Likewise, John Marley (born Mortimer Leon Marlieb) hit a home run playing the film producer Jack Woltz, the one who woke up with a horse's head in his bed. His arrogance and quick tongue could only be Jewish. "My Krout, Mick friend."

Abe Vigoda, who actually was Jewish, was off the mark in the other direction. He was too soft and lovable for a Mafioso. Why did he err in this direction? Perhaps it's because he was closer to his Jewish roots. Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 24, 1921,[2] the son of Samuel Vigoda (Yiddish: שמואל וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Самуэль Вигода) and Lena Moses (Yiddish: לענאַ משה וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Лена Мозес Вигода), Jewish immigrants from Russia. Marley and Caan's parents were also immigrants (Russia and Germany respectively) but perhaps that we have the Yiddish names of Vigoda's parents tells us they were less assimilated.

So that leaves us with Brando. Isn't that the proof that an actor doesn't have to have the same ethnic origin as his character? That only applies when gentiles play gentiles.  R Yaakov Shapiro notes that the British military officers related better to the Arabs in Mandatory Palestine than to the Jews even though many of the Jews were European. Jews and Gentiles are different. A early 20th century Arab is more like a Brit. than either is to a Jew. Thus, Gentiles cannot play Jews in the movies and vice versa.

We are different. Our intensity is meant for Hashem and Mitzvos. When we try to be gentiles, we overdo it. When gentiles try to play Jews, they are too likable. This doesn't mean Gentiles are better. Horses are likable too. It doesn't mean we can't be likable. But we must do mitvzos and value mitzvos for that to happen.