The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Written by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo from Puzo’s novel
1972/US
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Peter Clemenza: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

There are a precious few movies in cinema history when the careers of all the personnel peak at the same time and achieve movie perfection that resonates through the decades. One of those movies is The Godfather.

The story begins at the wedding reception of Don Vito Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) daughter Connie (Talia Shire).  We get a snapshot of Sicilian culture, Mafia culture, and family dynamics in one brilliant sequences that shows the exposition rather than telling it. A Sicilian “godfather” (family patriarch) cannot refuse a favor on his daughter’s wedding day so we see all the people lined up to be potential recepients.  Don Vito is treated with reverence bordering on terror.  Don Corleone calls in a bunch of “thank yous” in the form of generous cash wedding gifts.  Some of these are government officials.

All of Don Vito’s sons – Sonny (James Caan); Fredo (John Cazale); Michael (Al Pacino); and adopted son Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), the family lawyer – do not share their father’s sense of tradition, respect, and caution.  Other Mafia families, headed by Barzini (Richard Conte) are pressing for the Don Vito to share his political access and get into the narcotics business.  When the Don refuses, he is almost killed in an assassination attempt.

Michael, as the youngest son, had been groomed for an honest career.  He has told his girlfriend Kay (Diane Keaton) so a thousand times.  But when the family comes under threat he leaps into action.  His new found ruthlessness gets him in trouble.  Will it eventually earn him fear and respect?  With a simply outstanding cast of supporting actors.

Cinematographer Gordon Willis and Francis Ford Coppola during filming

I have seen this many times including, on original release, at the drive-in.  There are so many iconic moments to savor on each re-watch!  The movie works both as a crime story and as a critique of the American Establishment.  It also has something to say about masculinity, culture clash, and especially family.  Then the whole thing is topped off by Gordon Willis’s fabulous warm lighting and Nino Rota’s instantly evocative score.  The film’s sheer epic scale, with seemingly thousands of moving parts, is also pretty amazing. You’ve probably seen it.  It is well worth revisiting.

The Godfather won Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.  It was nominated in the categories of Best Supporting Actor (Caan, Duvall, and Pacino); Best Director; Best Costume Design; Best Sound; Best Film Editing; and Best Original Dramatic Score (nomination later withdrawn on grounds Rota stole from his own score for another movie). Pacino boycotted the ceremony because he thought he should have been nominated in the leading category and Brando refused his own award.