Citizen Kane, as you may or may not know, is first on AFI's list. I went to rent it only to find that it had been checked out by someone else. My only thoughts were, "Who on Earth is watching this film? It is spring break in the small college town of Logan, Utah and Citizen Kane is checked out. Is it a St. Patrick's Day tradition to watch it? Is some 80 year old woman watching it right now as I stand in the video store at 10:00 PM in my pajamas? Sadly these questions cannot be answered so I will simply skip to number 2 on the list and hope that Citizen Kane will be back on the shelf soon. Number 2 is The Godfather.
I have seen this movie before, and I enjoyed it a million times more the second time. The thing that I loved most about this movie was Marlon Brando. It almost seems cliche to talk about how good Mr. Brando is, but let's be honest...he rules!!! I've always said that the mark of a great actor is their ability to make you believe that they are the character. I truly believed that Marlon was an old Italian mob Godfather. All that aside, let's get to the movie. It was long (about 175 min). Don't start this movie if you don't have enough time to finish it. Despite its length it is not too long. For example, it is not a 300 minute long A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. At times it seems that scenes are not needed, but just like a Quentin Tarantino movie, it later becomes obvious why a scene was included in the movie.
The Godfather follows an Italian mob family, and the shift of power from the father to the son. It is a reference for all mobster movies, and defined a genre all by itself. It is an ultimate guy movie. The film is filled with common family problems, as well as some not so common problems. The average American wouldn't ever worry about a bomb in their wife's car, or getting shot while eating a canoli. Despite the age of the movie it is in no way outdated because not only does it still ring true today, but the effects are believable. This film is not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of blood, brief nudity, and any other vice you can think of. Just bear in mind the rating, and don't let your kids watch it.
Many people say that The Godfather is the best movie ever made. While I wouldn't agree with that statement, I would say that it is up there among the best. I in no way disagree that this movie should be on the 100 list. The music alone is enough to give a guy goosebumps. The main theme, in my opinion, will go down as one of the best movie theme songs ever. You can also tell it's a good film by how often it is parodied in pop culture. The movie "Mafia" for example bases most of it's plot on The Godfather. Because of "Mafia", during the garden scene with Don Corleone and his grandchild I expected him to put a whole watermelon in his mouth and then be killed with pesticide by his evil red-headed grandchild. Thank you "Mafia" for putting such thoughts into my head. Still, had it not been for their parody I may never have watched this great film.
The bottom line:
Rating: 4.0
Would I own it? I might not buy it for myself, but I would accept it as a gift (hint, hint).
Would I recommend it? I would recommend this film to anyone I thought would like it.
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