THE GODFATHER: An All-Time Great
Lately, I haven't been watching many movies. Not totally off it, but there has been a drastic decrease compared to the past. Not to say that I was a movie freak, no. Nevertheless, I know I've watched a series of movies while growing up and a good number in adulthood. I've explored various genres of movies; action, comedy, horror, adventure and more, that I might find interesting or appealing. I remember the ordeal it took us then as kids to be able to watch movies, especially when not everyone really had that luxury.
Movies do a lot, ranging from entertainment, enlightenment, education, historical depiction and more. In the general sense, movies are perceived to be for entertainment alone. But I like to think there's more than that. Sometimes, real-life situations are presented through movies, though fictional. Some are meant to draw our minds back to history, hence educating beyond entertainment. What amuses me sometimes is knowing that a movie was acted based on a novel; a writer's fictional story, or based on a recorded factual account.
That leads me to what could be said to be my favourite movie. Perhaps, it's not just me. Recently, I read online that this movie was said to maintain its spot as the best movie of all time after collecting responses from the public, I suppose. It's actually not a simple or easy answer for me to say this movie is the one, because I've seen many astonishing ones that have left me in awe. Now, beyond acting, visuals and the like, one thing that gets me hooked and interested in a movie is the storyline and suspense the writers provide.
The movie “The Godfather” is a theatrical masterpiece, adapted from Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. The movie has three parts, with the first, second and third parts produced in 1972, 1974 and 1990 respectively. The first and second parts make up the major highlight of the movie’s greatness. It's a crime and drama thriller that explores the life of an American-Italian mafia family. The major themes were about power and family. This was displayed in how the father (Vito Corleone) handled matters as a powerful yet family-oriented force.
As mentioned, the storyline is a major factor in what makes a movie interesting to me. The writers and the director, Francis Ford Coppola didn't fail to amaze me. The cinematography was epic, not to mention for a movie shot in the 1900s. From the early scenes of this masterpiece (the part one), Vito Corleone made a statement that would revolutionise cinema and acting. “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.” A subtle statement presented in calmness, yet, a surreal gesture of power, force and confident dominance.
As the movie progressed to the other parts, the themes of power and family remained. The last son, Michael Corleone who was kept away from the family business had to join in as the supposed heir was murdered in a vendetta. Michael grew to become a force to be reckoned with. Brutal, forceful and powerful, with a calm demeanour was his definition. Yet, family was at the core. He would later marry, have two children and retire, handing over the empire to a new generation. But as with the dangerous cartel/mafia business, it cost him a great price－his daughter. That, broke him down.