Mar 10, 2011 04:19 PM
3156 Views
I have always been, and still am a strong believer in the fact that movies, however well made, cannot match the book on which it is based. But if there is one movies, or a set of movies that can push this argument to the very edge, then Godfather it is.
I watched both these movies one after the other on two consecutive evenings. Starting with The Godfather.
The story of Don Corleone, and his family is simple yet fascinating. Starting of with the most famous wedding scene ever, the undertones, and the various things happening around give a fair introduction of the various characters. Brando as Don, Morgana King as his wife, Talia Shire as Connie, Al Pacino as Michael, Sonny, all are introduced in alternating shots.
The nice music and Italian songs that they sing add even more life to the whole setting. With such a start, it is no wonder that the movie takes off really well. The subsequent meetings, the various plots, the killings and counter killings all add to the fabric of the movie. You just admire the cool, all understanding Don, the ferociously daddy loving hothead Sonny, the smart and sharp Michael, Tessio, Clemenza, Luca Brasi et al. You feel the tension when Michael arrives at the hospital and finds it deserted, and correctly gathers that the plot has been set for Don's execution. You wait, tense along with Michael to see what will happen. And Michael's subsequent revenge in the restaurant is also chilling. The unfolding of events, and the way Michael executes the final takeover is brilliant. As the baptism goes on in one side, the enemies of Corleone family get cleared on the other.
Marlon Brando turns in the much praised performance as the don, but Al Pacino as Michael is probably even better. The background score when Michael visits Corleone is amazing to say the least.
I truly believed that The Godfather was the best gangster movie of all time - For one day. For, the very next evening, I watched Godfather 2 and changed my opinion.
If Godfather was the ultimate, this movie could be called "Father of Godfather". The movie parallels the life of the 2 dons, Michael, and Don Vito. The childhood of the Don, born Vito Andolini, his family getting massacred, his subsequent escape to America, adoption of name Corleone, all is shown in the best possible fashion on one side, as Michael dealing with his own issues, and establishing himself is shown equally adeptly on the other. De Niro matches Pacino step by step in the scenes where Don is paralleled against Michael. In fact I liked the Don's scenes better. But the way Michael establishes himself, The Latin American trip, and the reassertment of himself at the end are equally fascinating. Also, the internal conflicts with Fredo and Connie, and Kay Adams have you glued to the movie. Not to forget the scene where Vito returns to Corleone to finish off the local don who had massacred his family, reinforcing the Sicilian vengeance tales.
This puts even The Godfather on the backburner, with De Niro and Pacino dominating their respective scenes like no one else.
All in all, two movies that are a must watch for any movie lover. Best watched on leisurely Saturday evenings, alone, with relaxing snacks and drinks ( whichever drinks relax you ; -)).
