Count me in with the crowd who list this as the best movie they have ever seen. Adapted from the novel by Mario Puzo, the story of the Corleone crime family is a riveting drama, with an all-star cast, authentic set designs, and a score that became a modern classic.
The movie mainly follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the youngest son of Vito (Marlon Brando). Michael is reflective, intelligent, and idealistic — he is intended by father to pursue college and achieve great things in their adopted country. When deadly mob violence strikes the Corleones, he is forced to choose between escaping as his parents had wished, and staying to protect his family. He, of course, chooses the latter — becoming the tragic protagonist.
The direction by Francis Ford Coppola puts the audience right there in every scene. I felt so present, so in the moment, like I was in the room with the family strategizing with family confidant and advisor Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall).
If I had one nitpick, it would be volume of the score by Nino Rota sometimes overwhelms the scene it complements, but that’s a very small criticism.
