Based on the novel by Mario Puzo: in the post-war period of 1945 - 1955 in New York City, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) leads a criminal family business and is often at war with other Mafia families as well as other enemies. Vito's son, Michael (Al Pacino), wades into the family business and is groomed to eventually lead it.
Director Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote the screenplay with Puzo. The creative team does an excellent job in deceiving the viewer: while we can see that the family does terrible things, we can't help but sympathize with them occasionally especially as they are vulnerable to the acts of other criminal families and betrayals from within the clan. This works mainly due to many scenes involving extended family - the highlight being the enjoyable wedding scene at the film's beginning. The folks we see in such scenes seem to be likeable people.
The acting is brilliant overall with Brando and Pacino standing out. Brando gives a wide-ranging performance especially in the second half where he shows a more mellowing attitude compared to his ways in the first half. And there are many things to praise about Pacino - one of them being his ability to incite terror just by giving a still, brief glare. Pacino also carries the film's mid-section with a series of scenes involving a hospital, a restaurant, and Sicily in that order (a succinct summary). These segments, like others in the film, are intense with perfect build-ups.
The film's most powerful scene involves one where Michael is literally being a godfather at his nephew's baptism. The holy atmosphere of the event is contrasted, back and forth, with other scenes (involving family business) that are anything but holy. The polar opposites play brilliantly against each other in an almost sarcastic way.
And the film ends with a poignant scene between Michael and his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), and a powerful closing image. A perfect ending for a perfect film.
In addition to the great performances of Pacino, Brando, and Keaton, the excellent cast also includes James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Abe Vigoda, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Gianni Russo, Morgana King, Richard Conte, Lenny Montana and Simonetta Stefanelli.
"The Godfather" is considered outstanding by film critics as well as movie fans. Both groups are right. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10 (after six viewings)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Directing by Francis Ford Coppola
Acting Ensemble
Cinematography, Musical Score, Set Design (including the use of vintage cars), Costumes, and Editing.
Director Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote the screenplay with Puzo. The creative team does an excellent job in deceiving the viewer: while we can see that the family does terrible things, we can't help but sympathize with them occasionally especially as they are vulnerable to the acts of other criminal families and betrayals from within the clan. This works mainly due to many scenes involving extended family - the highlight being the enjoyable wedding scene at the film's beginning. The folks we see in such scenes seem to be likeable people.
The acting is brilliant overall with Brando and Pacino standing out. Brando gives a wide-ranging performance especially in the second half where he shows a more mellowing attitude compared to his ways in the first half. And there are many things to praise about Pacino - one of them being his ability to incite terror just by giving a still, brief glare. Pacino also carries the film's mid-section with a series of scenes involving a hospital, a restaurant, and Sicily in that order (a succinct summary). These segments, like others in the film, are intense with perfect build-ups.
The film's most powerful scene involves one where Michael is literally being a godfather at his nephew's baptism. The holy atmosphere of the event is contrasted, back and forth, with other scenes (involving family business) that are anything but holy. The polar opposites play brilliantly against each other in an almost sarcastic way.
And the film ends with a poignant scene between Michael and his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), and a powerful closing image. A perfect ending for a perfect film.
In addition to the great performances of Pacino, Brando, and Keaton, the excellent cast also includes James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Abe Vigoda, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Gianni Russo, Morgana King, Richard Conte, Lenny Montana and Simonetta Stefanelli.
"The Godfather" is considered outstanding by film critics as well as movie fans. Both groups are right. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10 (after six viewings)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Directing by Francis Ford Coppola
Acting Ensemble
Cinematography, Musical Score, Set Design (including the use of vintage cars), Costumes, and Editing.