Film Review: The Godfather

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Released: 1972

Genre: Crime, Drama

Box Office: $246,120,986

So I know this is bad but I only watched The Godfather for the first time this week and I don’t know why I waited so long! It goes without saying there will be some spoilers but you had since 1972 to watch it so read at your own risk.

If I had to use three words to describe this film, they would be loyalty, respect and family. From the get go we are told that Corleone family are incredibly tight nit, they deserve respect and reciprocate it as and when needed and loyalty is the leading factor in the family and the business.

We see all of these displayed in the first 10 minutes of the film when we are introduced to Don Vito Corleone, when he is still working as his daughters wedding reception is happening, we see a variety of people come to him for help as he is ‘The Godfather’ which he is often referrer to as by other characters. All of the scenes at the wedding day set up each character and introduces them very well and shows their place in the family.

One thing that must be mentioned is the incredible cast, including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall just to name a few, I feel each character was perfectly cast and portrayed difficult roles incredibly well.

My favourite thing about the film is Michaels arc and how we see his life change around him and how he reluctantly goes with it but finally embraces it and finds out it is where he’s meant to be.