The Godfather (1972)

Synopsis: Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) family is in the mob. Well actually, his family is the mob and his father, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), is the Don. The whole family works for the Don but Michael doesn't want to have any part of it. But the reluctant hero is dragged into the business when a rival mob family in New York puts out a hit on Vito. Suddenly, the Don is in the hospital fighting for his life while Michael's brothers are fighting for the family. Michael slowly begins to realize that nothing in the world is more important than family, something his father has always preached and practiced. Now Michael is on the path that he swore he would always avoid. But is it for power, or for family?

Should You Watch It? If you have not seen this movie like me until today, then you are definitely missing out on a classic and the defining movie in the gangster/mafia genre. This movie brings you into the patriarchal society within a mob family. This movie brought so many new things into film that it's really amazing for 1972. I don't think anyone can talk like Marlon Brando nowadays and not be considered in the mob.

Things to Watch Out For: Al Pacino when he was young is crazy! I didn't recognize him for almost half the movie. The movie follows him through his reluctancy to his full acceptance of his family duties. The movie focuses on the family and cleverly brings Michael into the family instead of chasing him around. This way, the audience is able to see all the other members of the family and how they react differently to responsibility. The change in Michael is brilliant and one of the best character arcs I have ever seen. The music motif that plays whenever the Godfather does something dooming is used nicely with Michael's arc as well.

Things You Don't Expect: This movie is freakin' long. I mean it's almost three hours. It doesn't really drag in any parts but it does feel that there are certain parts where they tried to put too much into it. Some of the dialogue is unneccessary for the film but it does add flavour to the characters and really makes it hit home when those characters get offed. The climax was a bit weak because you really don't know when it's coming and you're not sure when it's gonna end because it coulda ended in two or three parts. But the ending is satisfying and very well portrayed.

Final Comments:
Story: 8.2 (Mario Puzo: novel. Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola: screenplay.)
Direction: 9.4 (Francis Ford Coppola)
Acting: 9.5
Cinematography: 6.5
Music/Sound: 8.0

Final Score: 8.6