|
Quote: "I made him an offer that he couldn't
refuse."
"Luca Brasi held a gun to his head while
my father assured him that either his brains or his signature
would be on the contract."
The film's basic story involves the life and
bloody times of Mafia head, Don Corleone, and his family. It's
a fascinating tale about how the "family business"
affected and changed the lives of the Corleone family, even
those who weren't involved.
Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) the head of this
crime family, runs into trouble when he opposes the plan of
another crime family that plans to sell drugs all over New York,
being content with the gambling / protection type rackets that
have been financially lucrative. A mob hit against Don Corleone,
leaves him in bad shape, and his son Michael (Al Pacino) who
had planned to stay away from crime family life / business,
is drawn quickly into this turmoil to handle it. Once involved
he can't find an easy way back out.
The high octane cast includes: Marlon
Brando, Al
Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, John Cazale, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire,
Robert Duvall,
Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Al Martino, Abe
Vigoda, and Morgana King.
This powerfully written, directed screenplay won numerous Oscars,
including: Best Picture, Actor (Brando), Screenplay (Coppola
and Puzo). The film's great Musical Score, by Nino Rota, also
won an Oscar.
The powerhouse cast was superb, and did a lot
with this gifted script, that offered acting roles that were
meaty and great opportunities to shine their various talents.
This film really got the career train rolling for actors as
varied as Diane Keaton, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and James
Caan.
"The Godfather" is the film where
the formerly great Marlon Brando, his career then at loose ends,
made a triumphant, film comeback. Interestingly, the much imitated
Brando parodied his performance here, in "The Freshman,"
to fun effect.
Al Pacino's performance as Michael is probably
his best ever, as the son who feels family obligations outweigh
personal convictions to live an honest life in an honorable
profession.
Diane Keaton's performance, as Michael's girlfriend/
wife, Kay Adams Corleone, is second only to her role as Annie
Hall.
Robert Duvall, gives a convincing performance
as Ted Hagen, a trusted lawyer of the Corleone family.
James Caan excels as Don Coreleone's hot tempered
son, Santino "Sonny" Corleone.
The Al Littieri's role of the Italian singer,
Sollozzo "The Turk," popular with the mob, was supposedly
based on the young Frank Sinatra. Frank supposedly claimed otherwise,
and that's good enough for us.
Some have criticized this, for the most part, universally praised
film, claiming it glorified life in the Mob. One should reserve
judgment until one sees the other two films in this trilogy,
which offers some pithy truths about why this kind of life has
serious, painful, tragic consequences, leaving serious doubts
on the wisdom to choose this life of crime. This is also a great
warning to those who are considering marriage: When you marry
someone, you also are marrying into their family.
If you liked THE GODFATHER you may enjoy "Good
Fellas," "Casino," and/or "Godfather 2."
|
