Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The 100 Best Movies: #16

16. The Godfather (1972)



It has brilliant direction, a phenomenal cast and an intriguing story. Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of the first of Mario Puzo's Godfather series is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all-time. It has topped several critics' lists from Leonard Maltin to Roger Ebert to the folks at Entertainment Weekly. This film has enormous power and a lot of it is in the dynamic performance of Marlon Brando in the role of Don Vito Coreleone. Brando's method-acting style is in full swing in this part and it does not fail. Some of the greatest scenes in this film have him at his best (like the scenes in his office during Connie's wedding or the scene where Don Vito collapses where Brando, himself, improvised the orange peels). The supporting cast is also amazing especially Al Pacino as Michael Coreleone, James Caan as the ruthless Sonny Coreleone, Robert Duvall as middleman Tom Hagen, Diane Keaton as the sweet Kay and Talia Shire as the innocent Connie Coreleone. The film has so many iconic scenes and moments (much like its sequel #66: The Godfather Part II) including the film producer with the horse's head in his bed, Michael's scenes with the police officer (played by Sterling Hayden), Sonny beating up Connie's abusive husband, Connie's wedding (which opens the entire film) and, of course, the final shot as Pacino's Michael closes the door to Keaton's Kay. It is truly a piece of American cinema that will never be forgotten and I am proud to have it on my list (the same can also be said for the next film!).

Next Post: #15

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