An offer you can't refuse.
The Godfather is a 1972 epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, produced by Paramount Pictures and Alfran Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is based off of Mario Puzo's 1969 novel of the same name. The film stars Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. It was nominated for and won Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay while also being nominated for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (x3), Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. This is the first film in the Godfather trilogy. It was followed by The Godfather Part II. In 1990, it was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant.
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." - Don Vito Corleone
Plot
When Don Vito Corleone's family is threatened in a war with other crime families, his reluctant son Michael joins in on the mafia business for the first time. Through a cycle of violence and betrayal, Michael is continually drawn in to the Corleone family, unsure if this is the path he wants to take in life.
My Favorite Part of The Godfather
The Godfather lives up to its reputation.
I guess that's a bit of an overstatement, because its reputation is the greatest film ever made, and that's not quite how I feel about it, but it comes pretty darn close. For my favorite part, however, I have to pick one thing, and that has to be the characters. Every single character in this movie is developed to incredible amounts and is very important to the plot. Obviously, the highlights of the film are Michael and Vito Corleone, who are just two amazing lead characters. Vito is a mob boss, but he's shown to be a kind, soft person despite his murderous tendencies. He clearly has a softness to him. Michael initially doesn't want to get involved in the family business, but once he does, you see that he's more villainous and much colder than Vito. It's an incredible juxtaposition between the two of them. The rest of the Corleone family is fantastic. Sonny and Tom are great side characters. Clemenza, Connie, Carlo (lots of Cs), Kay...all of them are so memorable. Even Bonasera, the guy in the very first scene, is a character you remember, because this film is just made so well.
My Least Favorite Part of The Godfather
I do think some flaws of this film are overlooked. I think one thing it majorly fails at is being a period piece. This movie is supposed to be set in the 40s and 50s, and it just doesn't really feel like that. I think the production design is fantastic. I think it is beautiful. And I don't think it looks at all like it's the 40s or 50s. Something about the way the characters talk and act feels very 70s, which makes sense, because this movie came out in 1972. I don't think it takes away from the film as a whole. But it is something that pulled me out of the film at points.
Why The Godfather is Fantastic
It's pretty hard to say something new when raving about what is widely considered to be the greatest movie ever made (alongside Citizen Kane, I guess, but I think this is miles better). On a storytelling level, this movie is perfect. On an acting level, this movie is perfect. The film is tightly written and moves the characters like chess pieces on a chess board. It stays one step ahead of the audience at all points. The first half of this movie, I was genuinely thinking that it may be my favorite film ever made. The second half is not as good, but it's still great and still solidifies The Godfather as an utter masterpiece.
Final Thoughts and Score
Francis Ford Coppola's mafia magnum opus is a cinematic milestone that is the reference guide for how to make a great movie. The Godfather lives up to the hype.
I will go Sweet here. Age range is 15+.
SWEET N' SOUR SCALE
Sweet (Great) Savory (Good) Sour (Bad) Moldy (Terrible)
"The Godfather"
Fun Factor: 9/10
Acting: 10/10
Story: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Rated R for strong bloody violence, nudity, language, disturbing themes and images, thematic elements
Released on March 24, 1972
2 hours and 55 minutes
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone
James Caan as Sonny Corleone
Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen
Richard Castellano as Peter Clemenza
Diane Keaton as Kay Adams-Corleone
Talia Shire as Connie Corleone
John Cazale as Fredo Corleone
Morgana King as Mama Corleone
Al Lettieri as Virgil Sollozzo
Lenny Montana as Luca Brasi
Richard Conte as Emilio Barzini
Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey
Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Tessio
Gianni Russo as Carlo Rizzi
Salvatore Corsitto as Amerigo Bonasera
Alex Rocco as Moe Greene
Tony Giorgio as Bruno Tattaglia
Victor Rendina as Philip Tattaglia
Simonetta Stefanilli as Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone
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