The Godfather (1972 movie)- Review

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Released: 1972
Country: United States

Main cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, John Castale, Richard S. Castellano, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Gianni Russo, Al Martino, Richard Conte, Alex Rocco

Genres: Drama, Crime

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

Considered one of the greatest movies of all time, ''The Godfather'' is truly so. It met with all my expectations, and perhaps very few 3-hour long movies have been so enjoyable and so engrossing.

''The Godfather'' is about the Corleone family, a powerful crime family. The don of the family is the aging Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando). The movie starts on the day of his daughter's wedding. The story of the film spans over ten years, from Vito Corleone's reign as the don of the family, to the rise of serious problems after he refuses to involve in a drug business, resulting in some tragedies in the family, to his youngest son Michael replacing him as the head of the family, and what happens next.

There are so many members in the Corleone family. There is the don of the family, Vito Corleone, a serious-minded aging man. His sons are the hot-tempered Santino ''Sonny'' (James Caan), the mild-mannered Fredo (John Cazale), and the youngest, mild, handsome and the calm Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). There is also another son, Tom Hagan (Robert Duvall), who was, years ago, found in the street as a homeless boy and Santino ''Sonny'' Corleone and brought him home. From then, he has been living as an unofficially adopted son of Vito Corleone, and is now the consiguere of the family. There is a daughter, Conny (Talia Shire), who is frequently beaten by her husband. Vito Corleone's wife (Morgana King) remains a minor supporting character.

There are so many incidences happening in this film, one after another. Yet, the film seems almost always clear, never confusing! This is a very long movie (almost 3 hours), but it is one of those 3-hour long movies watching which you never feel bored. Such an excellent presentation it has! The film does not rush or hurry, it is rather very slow-paced. Directed by the brilliant filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, ''The Godfather'' is presented so wonderfully that as it goes on, it gets more interesting and engrossing.

Family relationships are shown in this film. Another thing to be noted, is that, the transformation of Michael. Just see the transformation of Michael from a calm, gentle, mild young man to the head of the Corleone family. His father himself had many hopes for him, and he also never wanted to involve himself in the ''family business'', but later, after several incidences, he has to become the head of the family. The character is played excellently by the brilliant Al Pacino.

Marlon Brando's performance as Vito Corleone is also very remarkable. As Don Corleone the aging patriarch of the family, he gives an excellent performance.

Based on Mario Puzo's novel, ''The Godfather'' won several Oscars, including Academy Award for Best Picture.

Overall, this is certainly a great movie, and perhaps one of the greatest movies of all time. This family saga is a wonderful and engrossing one, directed brilliantly by Francis Ford Coppola.

5 out of 5!