Special Review
This review is a special request from Patreon supporter Patrick Glauber. If you'd like to support me on Patreon, click the button below. Visit PatreonIn 1967, Paramount Pictures announced they would be backing the latest book by author Mario Puzo to adapt to film. Titled The Godfather, the book was published in 1969 and became an instant best-seller, selling over nine million copies. Following the publication, studio executive Robert Evans started looking for a director, preferring an Italian American to add authenticity. After getting turned down by Sergio Leone, Peter Bogdanovich, and Arthur Penn, Evans’ assistant suggested an up-and-coming Francis Ford Coppola. After finding Puzo’s book sleazy and sensational, Coppola initially turned it down but changed his mind due to financial problems. At the time, Paramount was not doing well as most of their past films bombed at the box office. The studio took issue with the casting decisions, inflating budget, and unconventional filming throughout the production. Despite these setbacks, Coppola’s The Godfather finally hit theaters in March 1972.
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Synopsis
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) returns home from the war for the wedding of his sister Connie (Talia Shire). His father, Vito (Marlon Brando), is the don of a massive crime league who cares for his family. Unfortunately, Vito has his life threatened when drug baron Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) asks for his assistance and gets rejected. Vito’s put in the hospital while his son Sonny (James Caan) takes over and accepts the offer. Things progressively worsen as an all-out war between the five families breaks out, Vito worrying for his sons’ safety. He has Michael relocate to Sicily while Fredo (John Cazale) takes shelter in Las Vegas until everything blows over. While they’re away, Sonny gets gunned down by gangsters, but Vito doesn’t want anyone acting out in vengeance. Coupled with Vito’s failing health, Michael moves back home and takes the reins to try and preserve the family.
Review
Honestly, The Godfather is one of those movies where I’m not sure if there’s anything new I can add. All I can offer is my perspective on what’s considered one of the greatest films in American history. Incredibly, Francis Ford Coppola went from working with Roger Corman on low-budget quickies to directing an American classic. Working with cinematographer Gordon Willis, he adds a quiet, somber tone to the proceedings, even in the more violent scenes. This melancholy tone is further exemplified by composer Nino Rota’s brilliantly haunting score, which has become iconic. The cast includes so many great performances that it’s hard to narrow down to just a few standouts. Suffice it to say that there’s not a single weak, and everyone delivers a stellar performance. If I must single out a few standout actors, they’d have to be Marlon Brandon, Al Pacino, and James Caan.
While on the surface, it seems like a bloody mafia movie, it’s a melancholy tale about family, betrayal, and loyalty. Marlon Brando gives Vito Corleone a calm, understated performance where you get all the information from his facial expressions. Al Pacino is similarly reserved, but he has moments where he explodes as he gets more entangled in the family. James Caan comes off as the cocky older brother trying to keep the family together but making bad decisions. Other highlights include Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Abe Vigoda, and even character actors like Joe Spinell. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible makeup effects by Dick Smith, who can make Marlon Brandon unrecognizable. The slow pace and three-hour runtime might put off modern audiences, but it’s considered legendary for a reason. Overall, The Godfather is a cinematic masterpiece everyone should see at least once.
Buy The Godfather from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3waDE3W.
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