When we will talk about films that established cinema standards both critically and commercially, we will always mention The godfather at the very top.
With 11 Oscar nominations and three wins including the best picture, The Godfather shows that a gangland epic can also be made with crisp dialogue and slow-burning drama with lots of improvisations from the actors.
Coppola was initially not considered by Paramount Studio for directing Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name but when he was aboard, he made The Godfather his very own and established a staple for crime dramas to follow.
Every filmmaker that aspires to make a gangster drama he/she somehow looks up to this film for reference and for a better understanding of the psyche of criminals with an emotional angle. This film is basically the bible for all those who want to pursue filmmaking as a career choice.
However, we move on, and let’s dive into the brilliance of its technical aspects that makes The Godfather what it is today.
Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola weave the screenplay like acrostic poetry where each character is given ample range both physically and emotionally right from the opening sequence when Vito Corleone says, “ You come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married and you ask me to do murder — for money. “ This dialogue surely conveyed the portrait of Corleone Family with little words along with tremendous style. No wonder why both the writers got Oscars for adapted screenplay.
With a great background score by Nino Rota, the music facilitates the various dilemmas of characters and their motivations furthermore heightening the experience of watching this epic. Moreover, when Sicily Town is shown on the screen with the theme song, the result is bewildering.
Considering the running time of 175 minutes, the film flies like a 90-minute film as well as it invests you into the characters and grips you in your seat. When the climax arrives with guns, blood, and a shootout you are jumping in your head. The credit should surely go to the director and his vision that makes this an entertaining furthermore emotional watch.
From an acting perspective, this was the film that introduced budding actors to method acting and of course, introduced The Al Pacino to the world. When Marlon Brando shrinks his head, scratches his fingers, adjusts his shirt’s collar, and says, “You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance going to bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me? “. You just gasp your breath and stare long at your screen. James Caan as Sonny gives an electric performance and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen catches the heart of the audience. Diane Keaton as Kay and Richard Castellano as Clemenza keeps their performance intact and crisp.
The production design also deserves to be applauded, which aids in showing the grandeur and the scale with which The Godfather thrives and tells the story.
In the end, just keep an eye on oranges, they will invite death.