100 movies: the godfather
I came across this article the other day on The Hollywood Reporter called ‘Hollywood’s 100 Favorite Films’. It’s basically a list of the most-loved, classic films everyone should see at least once. As someone who watches a lot of movies, I was surprised to see that I had only watched about 30% of the list. The film aficionado in me was very disappointed so I’ve decided to commit to watching all 100 films and documenting my thoughts here. Check out this link to the article if you’d like to follow along!
First up at number one is:
The Godfather
(1972)
*Before any of you come for me… I KNOW. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it either. It was just one of those classics that slipped under the radar OKAY?
Based on the novel by: Mario Puzo
Screenplay: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton
I can see why this movie is a favourite among many. It takes risks. Yes it’s long but it’s because the filmmakers wanted it to be. They tell the story exactly how they want to tell it and never cut a scene short. I admire that. I loved how developed the characters were and how you couldn’t get too attached to any one. I guess that should be the case in a movie about the mob but still. The actors were so committed that it was hard not to. For example, Brando won an Oscar for this movie and he’s BARELY in it. That’s how memorable his performance is. (He famously rejected that Oscar but that’s a story for another time.)
There’s a reason why so many films have taken inspiration from The Godfather. The characters are somehow complete monsters in one moment and have you rooting for them in the next. The shots are dynamic and the story is captivating. I was in from the moment Don Corleone said, “Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?”
