The Godfather
The Godfather
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Photographed by Gordon Willis
1972
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan
It's been 45 years since Paramount unleashed what would change the world of cinema forever, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. In honor of its modest birthday, Turner Classic Movies screened the film at my local theater for two nights, so I went two nights. I've seen this movie multiple times from when I was a young kid, it was one of my father's favorites. This time, however, on the big screen, I noticed something I never really payed much attention to. Brando's performance. I don't know if the film being blown up to the big screen had anything to do with it, but my appreciation for Brando's acting in this film flourished immensely. Not that I didn't think he was a great actor before, I did, but it's just something about this performance. It's so bold and strong and original. Half of the movie he's not even talking, at least not coherently, but his facial expressions are at points breathtaking. He managed to transmit his pain, his disappointment, his disapproval, his happiness, his concern, his anger and his peace, everything without talking, just with his face. Marlon has one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, but for this picture he literally changed the way it looked. At 48, Brando had the inconceivable talent of portraying a 63 year old dying Don. I should talk more about Willis's(the prince of darkness) cinematography or Coppola's superb vision, but I was just consumed by Brando, both days. With names like Pacino, Hayden, Caan, Duvall, Castellano, Cazale and Keaton, this film is an overflowing source of achieved acting, with Brando at the top, swimming.
