The Godfather (Review)
“The Godfather”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola is a screen marvel which has been a great contribution to cinematic arena. Presented in 1972 and shook up the thriller genre by its deep narration and captivating characters. It was well performed, brought to life, and represented in an explicit but awesome way by the storyteller.
The movie is a film adaptation of Puzo’s novel and narrates the story of how the mafia family interrelates with each other instead of how it appears from the exterior angle, as this family is embroiled in a psychodrama of power, loyalty, and betrayal. The story rotates around the Corleone family as such, led by Vito, the dictatorial patriarch in portrayal by Marlon Brando. His performance, the most famously celebrated for his distinctive voice ‘wheezy’ and manner of moving at a steady pace, won him an Oscar and left his name in the history of movies.
On the other hand, the central character this movie revolves around is Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, who is career defining. The character development of Michael’s from a disaffected, family outsider to triumphant, heartless mafia leader is key to the films probe of how power corrupts. The ensembles are spectacular, including the James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton performances, which supplement a very intricate world.
Coppola’s directing method is appreciated not only for the intricately-symbolic opening wedding scene or the culmination of which is the act of revenge. The strikingly slow pacing of the film is aimed to making the audience involve and feel the Corleone’s pains, wins, and defeats.
Willis’s cinematography and Rota’s music score become equal in contribution, with the former’s gloomy hostile shadow and the latter’s haunting tunes consolidating into the film’s both melancholy and tense atmosphere.
“The Godfather” is definitely not a movie about the mafia business only, but rather, it is a story about the U.S., tradition and an endless chase after authority. It is a film, which stirs and washes all its spectators, making them assimilate something new (perhaps, strange or even afraid of… ) in the depths of their consciousness. Only the ingenious plot and profoundness can make “The Godfather” stay topical, centuries after its appearance and captivate people all over the globe.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.