We know more about this family than we know about our families. This is the way I can compliment this fantastic film. The Godfather series is an iconic piece of Italian-American mafia culture. Hugely influential even today audiences might be surprised to realize that more than a quarter of a century later, this film never loses its terrific impact. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic trilogy of family, tradition, religion and tragedy - punctuated by still-shocking bursts of violence - remains perhaps the most insightful examination of the mafia.
Elements like the fact that Ford Coppola, working with a terrific screenplay and a marvelous crew, has created this world from top-to-bottom through great production designs and cinematography. The film doesn’t even seem dated years later.
The Godfather opens with a now classic shot, a pullback that eventually rests over the shoulder of one Don Corleone, head of the most powerful mafia clan in America. I suppose it is silly to attempt to encapsulate the story, as it is known so well. Young Michael Corleone, attempting to distance himself from what he perceives as the corruption and violence of the family crest, tries to escape to Sicily and marries an innocent. But the pull of the family is inescapable, and Michael’s fate that of a tragedy of revenge - a dish best served cold.
Gordon Willis’s dark, rich and textured cinematography still remains haunting and effective. Dean Tavoularis’s production design offers an incredible amount of detail, as well. Last, but not least, there’s Nino Rota’s classic score. Losing none of its power years later, ’’The Godfather’’ remains a masterpiece.
The perfomances by all are engaging, especially, the two leads, Marlon Brando(in an Academy award winning performance) and Al Pacino (who deserved to win the supporting actor award) are par excellence.
’’The Godfather’’ is a marvelously written, wonderfully directed and powerfully acted piece that remains a classic.
If you haven’t seen this movie, where on earth are you living?