THE GODFATHER Review (FIL 3006-0001)

THE GODFATHER Review (FIL 3006-0001)

In a post-war America, on the day of his only daughter's wedding, Don Vito Corleone hears requests in his role as the head of a powerful New York crime family. Better known to friends and associates as “Godfather," Vito Corleone has many enemies and he is eventually gunned down by rivals but they fail to kill him. His first born, Sonny (James Caan), tries to hold the family business together but he doesn’t have the temperament of his father.

Sonny is hotheaded and relentless. Vito Corleone's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), a decorated war hero who, until now, has managed to stay out of the family business, finds himself having to step up to protect his father who he loves dearly. In doing so, Michael begins his journey into the seductively dark and irresistibly powerful world his father wanted him to stay out of.

The low key lighting in the film is fantastic. It captures the darkness and mysteriousness of the Corleone family life. We are often unable to see The Godfather's eyes which, in many scenes, remain hidden in shadow. You can't always tell what he is thinking and for that reason he remains as mysterious to us as he does to his associates and rivals. As Don Corleone would say, never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking. The fantastic cinematography of the film creates an ominous tone that is a nod to the old film-noirs and gangster flicks as well as unmistakably unique to the identity of the "Godfather" films.

All of the performances in the film were deep, well thought out and enjoyable. The fantastic acting by Al Pacino in the scene where he kills the police officer and Sollozzo, another of his father's enemies, in a restaurant was unforgettable and emotional. The impact of the moments leading up to the murder was enhanced by the sound of a roaring L-train passing by the restaurant. The sound of the train screaming by is used to increase the suspense of the scene and perhaps allow us to see past the fairly calm and distant look on Michael's face to feel the fear and chaos in his mind.

The film is successful and full of fantastic dialog. Clever and thought-provoking writing make the film worth watching again and again. This is definitely a film for grown ups and its iconic score only adds to an already perfect (as perfect as a film can be) motion picture event.