The Godfather

The Godfather was and still is an all time classic gangster movie, it shows not only the power money has over everything but also how loyalty and trust are the key to every aspect of life and business. The movie is based on the novel written my Mario Puzo. The movie was made in 1972 and has in my opinion one of the greatest star studded cast there ever will be. With such actors as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan just to mention a few.

The Godfather was based in a 10 year span from 1945 to 1955. In the movie we are shown how power can slowly be stripped away if the wrong people are trusted. The Corleone family is the main focus of the movie and all the trials and tribulations of being the high power Mafia family based in New York City. The movie shows how strong a family bond is and how nothing could come in between them. The Godfather did show the crime and corruption that happens in everyday society. The family also deals with losses and births together and the building of the greater good of the family.

The movie shows the cold dark side of crime and how it has endless influence on an entire city. The Mafia crime families in the Godfather impose their will by using fear as a great motivator. In a world of crime, disrespect and lack of trust only gets you "Sleeping with the Fish", as happens in the Godfather quite a few times. When someone breaks the trust of the family, death is the only just punishment in the eyes of the Don.

This movie in my opinion is a definite must see, it is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Take the time sit back and enjoy the story of loyalty, trust, and crime on a collision course for Power!!

The Godfather defines the mafia gangster genre, and I finally got around to watching it after all these years. I had to watch the three hour long movie over a week period, so I missed out on the effect of watching it in one sitting.

The extended opening scene of the wedding sets the tone for the entire movie, showing Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, the all powerful Godfather who grants priveledges and life and death to all that come before him. We also meet the advisor Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), Sonny Coreone (James Caan) and Michael Corleone (Al Pacino.)

Michael utters the line, "I'm not like my father." Then the rest of the movie shows Michael's slow transformation into a man exactly like his father. The movie shows the reasons why Michael would change, but don't actually show him changing. Michael just gradually takes control of the business. The scenes in Italy with his wife were especially touching. Her death probably shaped him more than anything, and made him realize he would never be safe unless he went on the offensive.

My problem with the movie is how it sped through time, covering years at a time. In one scene, Michael asks Diane Keaton to marry him. The next scene they are both in, Michael has couple of kids.

The Godfather is the father of all modern day gangster movies and this is a definite classic, with star power and intense drama.