Can you believe we're already 1/5th of the way through this year?!? Anyway, this week I finally took an honest look at The Godfather. It's a film I've seen bits and pieces of already; a film with tremendous hype (including from my brother Josh). Though I couldn't get in to it before, I'm older and have more patience for a slow burn like this...
And I loved it. It was an brilliant picture--written, shot, and acted with tremendous care. Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duval, Keaton, and the rest of the ensemble were god damn great, with my personal favorite being Pacino. His ability to begin fresh and baby-faced and finish a coldhearted Don was an amazing display of performance-gymnastics.
What impresses me most is how well structured the film is. Despite dense storytelling and a long runtime, I counted 4 clear, well-paced acts. Additionally, there was certain symmetry to the plot and character arcs (Vito's declining health against Michael's growing ambition, Connie's marriage starting and ending the film...the list goes on) that was incredibly fulfilling to watch. And I have yet to watch a film (in this project) that ratchets up tension (without gimmick) as well as this one--from a horse's head, to Michael's first restaurant kills, to a baby's cry during a baptism/mass-murder.
Though not yet my favorite or most re-watchable film, it's damn-near up there and I will give this movie the credit it deserves: it's the closest thing to a "perfect film" that I have yet seen.