Critique: Film> Reviews.

(This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.)

The Godfather is just as difficult for me to review as a writer as it was for me to watch as a movie lover. I have wrestled with my thoughts on numerous occasions, trying to decide the best way of beginning this review, in an attempt to do any possible justice to a true masterpiece of cinema, which has stood the test of time nearly forty years later.

Truth be told: You require a strong level of patience for films like The Godfather. I'll admit, that when I first watched it I fell asleep mid-way through. This wasn't because I found it boring; rather, its complex, interconnected stories were far too stimulating for my young mind to handle, and it completely exhausted me. At that point of my life, I wasn't ready for The Godfather.

I couple of years later I attempted a second viewing, within the company of a few, slightly tipsy friends. Again, I failed. The second thing I learnt was: The Godfather is definitely not a casual film that you can play in the background at parties and socialise to. At one-hundred and seventy minutes long, it requires your undivided attention.

Determined, I went for a solitary, third viewing during my time at University. The night was (strangely) quiet: My girlfriend had quickly settled into some Hugh Grant chick flick in the other room (after our recent strop), and my caffeine levels were hitting a peak of insomnia. With a quick flick of the lock to my door, preventing any possible interference, the mood was now set; the time felt right.

I grew to love The Godfather primarily for its characters. Characters have always been, to me, the biggest appeal of a film. Even if a story is severely lacking I can at least find a film tolerable, providing that its characters impress me. Marlon Brando's portrayal of "The Godfather" Don Vito Corleone must surely be one of the most intimidated of all time: His line "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse" immediately springs to mind being used in sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Only Fools and Horses. Such lines inspire the viewer to take full advantage of the subtitles present on the DVD (if you find yourself struggling with the huge amounts of dialogue then I suggest you consider this option. Trust me, you'll find that you enjoy the movie a lot more than you would without.)

The Godfather may be a crime drama, but it ultimately stresses the importance of loyalty within the family, and this can relate to any one of us. The four main actors -- Brando, Caan, Duvall, and Pacino -- are all appealing in their own right. Brando is the moralistic head of the family, who everyone looks up to for advice; Caan is Sonny, the hot-headed eldest son, trying to convince the family to take more of a risk and delve into the narcotics trade; Duvall is Tom, the overlooked, unappreciated son and brother; and the irresistible Pacino stars as Michael, who first states that he wants nothing to do with the family business, but then develops a frightening new personality as he grows to become the new Godfather.

The story involving these characters, I'm pleased to say, is just as fascinating. Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola create a world of organised crime within the realms of the Corleone family. Beneath Gordon Willis' dark cinematography, the much speculated mafia family is given a personality, a likable charm, away from the media and the authoritative figures of law. As we track the ups and downs of the family -- from Michael's first killing of the corrupt cop to Sonny's assassination -- we begin to understand the character motives and sympathise with them. At times, the screenplay captivates our attention so much that it can even feel that we're part of the family. I know that when Vito Corleone eventually passed away at the ending, I was overwrought with a strong sense of emotion from witnessing the downfall of such an influential figure.

Significantly, there is not a single civilian harmed in The Godfather's entirety. Whereas other mob flicks become famous for their often mindless thuggery, Puzo and Coppola's masterpiece gave the criminal intellect, respect and even heart, which thoroughly defined the whole concept of "organized crime".

It took me a long, long time, but I am pleased to say that I have now seen one of the most celebrated efforts in American cinematic history. Brando's legendary status as the "Don" is justly deserved, and only outmatched by Pacino's frightening transition from ex-soldier to the new head of the family. My conclusion is this: There are simply not enough words to express the sheer brilliance of Puzo and Coppola's work here; The Godfather is an epic movie in its own right, which set the untouchable standard for latter mob flicks to always be compared to.

It's also true what they say: After seeing The Godfather for the first time you do really feel like you have become a man (that statement goes for women, too).

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.