THE GODFATHER PART III
A film review by David Alba, Jr.
Copyright 1990 David Alba, Jr.
It is here. Yes, after sixteen years Francis Ford Coppola has decided to complete the epic story of the Corleone family. For those who can remember back to THE GODFATHER PART II, we last left Michael Corleone sitting alone contemplating the fact that he had ordered the execution of his own brother, Fredo.
The third installment of the Godfather trilogy takes place twenty years after THE GODFATHER PART II. Aging Michael Corleone is trying to turn his dream into a reality. His dream has been to make the Corleone family completely legitimate. Michael has been attempting to do this ever since he took over control of the family at the end of the first film, THE GODFATHER.
The film opens with Michael Corleone receiving a humanitarian award from the Archbishop. Michael is later approached by the Archbishop, who has been placed in financial charge of the Vatican. In an effort to help the Vatican overcome their financial trouble Michael offers to donate 600 million dollars in exchange for the Vatican's controlling interest in a company called Imobilare. It is Michael's belief that if he can gain control of the financially strong company he would finally be able to make the Corleone family legitimate. Michael encounters problems when several members of The Vatican council refuse to give controlling interest of Imobilare to Michael because his family is involved in organized crime.
Al Pacino returns to his familiar role as Michael Corleone, along with Diane Keaton who reprises her role as Michael's estranged wife Kay. Also returning, as Connie Corleone, is Talia Shire. The film also stars newcomers Andy Garcia as Sonny Corleone's illegitimate son, and Sophia Coppola as Michael's daughter. The fine cast is also joined by veteran actors Eli Wallach, George Hamilton and Joe Mantegna. There is also a small role played by Don Novello who is best remembered as Father Guido Sarducci on "Saturday Night Live."
This film is beautifully filmed with splendid cinematography of New York and Sicily, but it also contains the violence that has become a trademark of the Godfather films. The performance of Pacino was adequate--he portrayed an aging and sick Michael who couldn't overcome the guilt of having his brother killed--but it is the performances of Andy Garcia and Talia Shire that really stand out in this movie.
This film is unarguably not as good as its two predecessors, but I believe this film is good enough to stand on its own as a continuation of the Corleone saga. See this film before someone makes you an offer you can't refuse.
Rating: Three Stars (+3)
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