The GodFather Review (1972)

The GodFather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is not a movie. It’s a transcendent experience as we get into the world of the Corleones, Vito “Don” Corleone played brilliantly by Marlon Brando, and his son Michael Corleone, played by a subtle Al Pacino. The former is an aging Don whose attempted murder ropes in his son Michael, a soldier and one of the 3 brothers who is outside the family business.

And business it is as no one ever refers to it as gangster-ism or being a gangster. Similar to that, The GodFather is not a gangster movie. I mean yeah technically it is, but it doesn’t concern itself with the Gangster business, instead focussing on the 2 main Corleones, their relations and their change. Changing by age, by experience, by getting involved in something they wanted to stay away from.

The cinematography and the lighting showcases this world, this dark world in absolute beauty with brilliant blacks and yellows. The film unlike Goodfellas, its frequently compared companion piece, is , not slow, but a relaxed more calmer and meditative look at the people inhabiting this world. The film is also one that doesn’t throw things at your face and say “ Look at this”. It is subtle piece of work, where we can feel the character’s feelings. Take for example, the scene where Vito is lying in the bed and he asks about Michael when it is informed to him that Michael was the one who performed the hit on Solozzo and Mckluskey, a crooked cop, he doesn’t give this big showy performance showing his displeasure. (Of course his body condition also preventing him from doing this). What Brando does is a simple wave telling the others to go away and giving a reaction which feels like something inevitable has happened; Michael has been roped in the family business. The soundtrack by Nino Rota, a beautiful piece of music, is poignant and foreboding of the sadness of Michael’s life. The most brilliant moment comes towards the climax as Vito plays with his grandson and something terrible happens.

All these join up to create one phenomenal movie which I didn’t want to end. It really draws you in.