Movie Review: The Godfather

Welcome to my first blogged movie review! I've only reviewed a couple of movies before but I figured, what's so hard about giving my opinion? It's something that I do quite often! I also watch a lot of movies, so the fit seemed pretty obvious. And away we go!

The Godfather [1972]

The Godfather is based on the book The Godfather by Mario Puzo [published in 1969]. It was directed by Frances Ford Coppola and stars many fantastic actors, including Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, James Caan as Santino "Sonny" Corleone, Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, John Cazale as Fredo Corleone, Diane Keaton as Kay Adams, Talia Shire as Connie Corleone Rizzi, and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone.

The Godfather opens in August 1945 at the wedding of Don Vito Corleone's only daughter, Connie. The Don sits in his office taking requests for favors, because, of course, "No Sicilian can ever refuse a request on his daughter's wedding day." He is assisted by Tom Hagen, his "adopted" son and Consigliere, and at times by his eldest son and Underboss Sonny. College-educated and World War II-decorated, the Don's youngest son Michael makes his return to the family complex with his young girlfriend Kay Adams.

The wedding really serves as an introduction to the main and secondary characters: the Corleone family [including the Don's actual godson Johnny Fontane], the Don's Caporegimes [Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio] and more plot-important button men/soldiers [Luca Brasi, Paulie Gotto]. It also serves as a backstory of sorts, explaining how the Family operates, a little of the Family's history, and the personalities of the main and secondary characters.

The movie continues with Business as usual. After a refused drug deal with Virgil "The Turk" Solozzo, an attempt is made on the Don's life and Sonny is called on to act as boss while the Don recovers. Michael, though he doesn't want to be involved in the "family business", is willing to do what it takes to protect his father and his family, and the consequences of his actions change his life forever. Sonny's quick temper, which is well-known among the other Families in New York, gets him into some trouble and forces the Don to re-take his position as the head of the Family.

One of The Godfather's biggest criticisms is that it "glorifies" life in the mafia; I couldn't disagree more. I see the story as beautiful and tragic. It focuses on the hard, life-changing and most unglamorous decisions that the characters have to make in their life. This film is wonderfully directed, acted, and put together. It tells a complete story and though it's long [175 minutes] it captivates and entrances the viewer. The Godfather is one of those fantastic movies that you can watch over and over again and each time notice something that you didn't notice the last time. Let's just say that there is a good reason The Godfather is so highly regarded.

Amanda's Rating:

Awards Won:

• Best Picture [1973 - Academy Awards]
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium [Mario Puzo & Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Academy Awards]
• Best Actor in a Leading Role [Marlon Brando (refused), 1973 - Academy Awards]
• Best Director [Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Golden Globes]
• Best Motion Picture-Drama [1973 - Golden Globes]
• Best Motion Picture Actor-Drama [Marlon Brando, 1973 - Golden Globes]
• Best Original Score [Nino Rota, 1973 - Golden Globes]
• Best Screenplay [Mario Puzo & Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Golden Globes]
• Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music [Nino Rota, 1973 - BAFTA Awards]
• Best Foreign Film [Albert S. Ruddy, 1973 - David di Donatello Awards]
• Special David [Al Pacino (for his acting), 1973 - David di Donatello Awards]
• Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures [Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Directors Guild of America]
• Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or TV Special [Nino Rota, 1973 - Grammy Awards]
• Best Actor [Marlon Brando (tie), 1973 - Kansas City Film Critics Awards]
• Best Director [Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Kansas City Film Critics Awards]
• Best Supporting Actor [Al Pacino (tie), 1972 - National Board of Review, USA]
• Best Actor [Al Pacino, 1973 - National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA]
• Best Supporting Actor [Robert Duvall, 1973 - New York Film Critics Circle Awards]
• Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium [Mario Puzo & Frances Ford Coppola, 1973 - Writers Guild of America, USA]
• Best DVD [2002 - Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards]