The Godfather

Scarlet is maybe onto a loser here.  Precisely how are you supposed to write something original about The Godfather?  It comes to mind that this is going to be a recurring problem with this particular blog, this isn't going to be the first review of The Godfather anyone is going to read and the same goes for the other films I have queued up but I shall certainly try my best.

The Godfather is the story of a mafia crime family in New York over a few decades and the action focuses on one man war hero Michael (Al Pacino) who keeps himself distanced from the family business.  As time goes by Michael becomes involved and a masterpiece unravels before our eyes. 

The Godfather begins with a single monologue with one long zoom out shot as an elderly man (elderly for the time) narrates to Vito Corleone - known to his many associates as 'Godfather' - his love for his homeland and the American dream, and how the American justice system has let down this patriot.  Our friend extends an olive branch to Don Corleone in the correct way (with some prompting) and a new business relationship is formed.  Attention then turns to Vito's daughter's wedding and we see the family in full, symbolised with a great family photograph.  You see the Godfather is all about family, the Italian obsession for family shines through this picture like nothing else, it is all about family, even when it is not.

So our friend Michael becomes involved in the 'family business' and his role as the Don slowly takes hold of the family we are given some of the most amazing scenes in cinematic history, a horses head in a bed, an assassination in an Italian restaurant and the film culminates as a spectacle with a thrilling baptism scene, family family, The Godfather is about family.

Santino dies after his anger gets the best of him because of his brother in laws treatment of his sister
FAMILY
Michael goes to Sicily to escape some heat and marries a beautiful Sicilian girl
FAMILY

In order for a film with such strong fraternal links to succeed we need the family link to be viable, and how it works on that front, not only is every actor on form in this one but the chemistry of the family sizzles from beginning to end and Diane Keaton plays the outsider perfectly, her role is central to the film as she is never able to fully integrate into the family until she marries into it, FAMILY, CATHOLIC FAMILY.

The Godfather is Italian, it is about Family and food.  It is an insight to part of humanity we wish we didn't have in us, but it is there in all of us.

Enjoy