The Godfather film review

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse”

That offer should simply be to watch this film. This film is so close to being perfect. So close, it just couldn’t nudge the illusive five stars in my opinion.

A great film has balance. Balance to every aspect of it. If it has high paced scenes, then it must have slower scenes. If it has action, it must have peace. If it is loud, it must also be quiet. Balance creates range in scenes, this enunciates the more enhanced moments in the film. If there is silence, the noise seems louder.

This film has it all. You could claim this film has too many quiet, slower moments, and you might right it does have a lot of them. But I would argue that they are enormously effective.

They not only increase the emphasis on the action, and bloodier times, but they also shed light on the more traditional roles of an Italian Godfather.

The acting in this film, is nothing shy of a work of art. How Al Pacino didn’t win the Academy Award for best Supporting Actor I’ll never know. His shift from a reasonable, calm Michael, to the nonsense fresh faced Don Corleone is remarkable. His cold blooded nature fills the viewer with fear, and rightfully so.

However, Marlon Brando did win the Oscar he was nominated for. This is no shock at all, he was perfect. To work an entire film THIS WELL, with not just a full face of aged make up, but also dentures with cheek implants is beyond impressive. His character dictated the entire tempo of the scenes, and therefore the entire tone of the film.

The story simple, and timeless. Family, territory, tradition. Topics at the centre of dispute since the dawn of time. This is why it worked so elegantly, a tale told countless times. And perhaps, this is the best rendition there is.

Watch this film.

Peace.

4.5* 9.5/10

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