A retrospective by Max Scheinin. Copyright, 1997, Max Scheinin
**** = perfection *** = good, not great ** = not good, not bad - merely acceptable * = not acceptable yet not hoorid - merely very bad ZERO = horrid - avoid at all costs 1/2 = icing on the cake
Originally released 1972, rereleased 1997 A Francis Ford Coppola film, "The Godfather". Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Richard Conte, Richard Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Alex Rocco, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Al Lettieri, Sofia Coppola, Al Martino, Morgana King Rating: ****
Yeah, I like the cast too. Coppola's 1972 epic masterpiece was back in theaters for a short time earlier this year, and I hope all of you caught it. On the tv screen The Godfather is simply a masterpiece. On the big screen it is an indespensable experience.
The film opens at a somewhat slow pace. The paramount logo is presented agaunst a lusterless background. Then the screen goes black. The words appear: Mario Puzo's The Godfather. We hear Nina Rota's haunting theme and then we are staring into the face of Bona Sera. He is on the verge of great emotion. through oncoming sobs he says the films famous first line: "I believe in America". Over the next two hours we learn to understand why. To the film's character's America is not a place, it represents a certain ideal. The film is about many things, but mostly it is about love and trust. It is about how one family passes on a legacy. In The Godfather, nothing is more important then honor.
Marlon Brando's performance is justly famous. His use of props like the kitten show that he is a supremely confident actor. the character he creates is a man who, although immoral and unjust, is understandable; that is the film's secret; although everyone the film watches with morbid fascination is a rat, we identify with them somehow. By the time Don Corleone dies in his garden he has became such a real person that we almost feel upset; this is someone we have known.
Al Pacino had the performance of his career as Michael Corleone, the reluctant heir to his father's position. Everything he does is so real; we almost think that Pacino can't be acting. He suggests a young Brando in many ways; I don't know if this is the effect they worked for, but they certainly got it.
In the last shot of the film he has became the next don. He straight out lies to his wife Kay ( Diane Keaton ) and arrogantly holds out his hand to be kissed. The door swings shut on Kay and for the last time we hear Rota's mournful score. Michael didn't have to be who he chose to be. He had choices but, in the end, there was no other way it could have worked. Nobody knew that better then The Godfather.
The Godfather runs 2:31. This length would have been far too long for a normal film, but The Godfather is no normal film. It is truly one of the greatest films ever made. I saw it with my good friend and movie lover Micah on a big screen and we were both stunned. On a big screen ( where you should make an effor to see it ) there is no intermission and, to the film's eternal credit, you won't even want one. It's a goregous and haunting movie. It is rated R for semi-nudity, graphic but, for the most part, not too disturbing violence, cursing, and adult situations. It is appropriate for mature 11-12 year olds and up. See it. Again.
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