Movie Minx

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton
Directed by: Frances Ford Coppola

Plot: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

But is it any good?

Wow. I think it says an awful lot that despite watching it on a tiny computer screen, and having already watched so many mafia-themed TV shows/films inspired by it, and disliking most said-mafia-themed TV shows/films because I found the characters to be thuggish bullies who never elicited any sympathy… despite all these things, I still love The Godfather.

Yes, it’s about organised crime, death threats, violence and all such things. But it’s mainly about family loyalties. I know The Sopranos takes on similar themes but I can’t stand The Sopranos. I have no interest in Tony Soprano. But I do feel affection for Marlon Brando’s character, Vito Corleone. Perhaps it’s because of his witty euphemisms: “I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Perhaps it’s because he treats his family with such love and respect. He doesn’t trash rooms in screaming diva fits; he plays in the garden with his grandson and dances proudly at his daughter’s wedding. He’s such a memorable character, down to the little face-brushing gesture with his knuckles, that it’s hard to believe this is the same Brando who screams “Stella-aa-aa!” in tight white t-shirts in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Then there’s young Michael (Pacino), just returned from the army, who wants nothing to do with the Family Business. Well, fair enough. Like me, he sees them as bullies doing nasty deeds to further themselves. A horse’s head in a bed springs to mind. Only it’s not that simple. When his father’s gunned down and left neglected in hospital with no one by his side, Michael steps up to the plate since Vito’s other son, Sonny, is tantrum-prone and not a good businessman. Frankly, Michael can do better. He is needed. Things change, much to the distress of his girlfriend, Kay (Keaton). Thus Michael begins a chilling and riveting transformation that will continue through the trilogy.

Part II may be darker and add more depth and flavour to the overall story, but Part I will always be the definitive movie, the kick-off to not only the trilogy, but every Italian-American organised crime story to follow it. I may not like the majority of those but I love this one. It combines a rarely-found combo of cinematic class, powerful acting, memorable music and, crucially, it’s entertaining! Citizen Kane is still my favourite movie, though.

IMDb’s rating: 9/10
My rating: 10/10

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