It is the late 1940s in New York and Vito Corleone is, in the parlance of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. His son, Michael, a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Army to fight in World War II, has returned a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business, Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister Connie with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay, who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time, the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt, Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother Sonny and family advisors Tom Hagen and Sal Tessio that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug-trafficker, Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl, Michael marries her, but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered, having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him, his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals, realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don, he leads the family to a new era of prosperity, then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones, consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall.
Yes, this was the first time I have ever seen The Godfather, 34 years after it was released. I have heard about how great of a film it is and after watching it for myself, I can see why it's one of the classics. Even after 34 years, it seemed relevant and timeless. It was very long, but seemed to go by fairly quickly since it was so interesting and gripping. Marlon Brando's character was hard to understand sometimes since he talked so softly, but that added to the intensity and made you pay close attention. All of the supporting characters, who are now stars in their own right, were excellent and made the film even better. I don't think I really need to recommend a film that is already a classic, but if you haven't seen it, check it out. It definitely gives a whole new meaning to "family business."
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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