The Godfather which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola is easily one of the most popular celebrated films in cinematic history. Released in 1972 the movie features such brilliant actors including Marlon Brando as the Godfather, a young Al Pacino, and Diane Keaton. The film chronicles the lifestyle of a Italian imported family in the America who struggles to keep their businesses legit. The family is compiled of three sons and a daughter who each are connected to the family business with the exception of Michael who is seen coming back into the picture while visiting for his sisters wedding. After a murder attempt by a rival mobster family on Don Corleone, Michael seeks revenge and kills the men who tried to kill his father. This in turn is the start to Michaels mob career. Something his father never wanted. There are so many aspects of this film that make it one of the best. The directing style is superb. The screen shots, and the lighting, in the own ways contribute so much to the film and really set the appropriate mood. The script is something that has been quoted since its release, coining many popular catch phrases including “I’m going to give him an offer he cannot refuse.” Rightfully so the film had been nominated for multiple awards, and won for best picture in 1972. Famed movie critic Roger Ebert has written about how this film is probably in his mind the best in film history. Ebert points out that while there is a understanding that this family is corrupt and in the mob, there never is a scene where any civilian is being harmed. All of violence is mob on mob related which actually makes the characters more likable even though at the end of the day they are criminals. Ebert also points out important scenes that are not only significant because of the dialogue that sets up the background of this family but how the lighting truly pulls everything together. In the first scene you see Don Corleone sitting in his office in pretty much the dark talking to a man that is seeking revenge for a beating that occurred on his daughter. The Don asks why this man never sought help from the Godfather and the man responds that he wanted to be a legit citizen and went to the police first. The darkness signifies that this is a man not to mess with, and that he is dark, and that what he is about to do and what he does for a living is not morally just.
Personally I have never seen this film before this class just because its not something that I would really find myself interested in. I do not like violent films, but even though this film did have its bloody moments overall it wasn’t what I was expecting. To me this story is more deeper than most of the gangster movies, and shows the bonds and importance of a family. Even though as corrupt as this family is, at the end of the day they love and care for each other and want to protect each other just like any other family. Growing up in a family where most of the members are immigrants from Italy including both sets of grandparents I can relate to the family traditions, just not the violence. The food thing is very true, and the big celebrations are just right. I can see why this film is highly praised, there is a good balance between action, and emotion.
