Keep It Oldskool Movie of the week

The Godfather is on a plateau by itself. There are gangster movies and there are “gangsta” movies. This movie can’t be classified as either. This movie is on par with fine art. The movie was derived from a novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. The Godfather was released in 1972 and contained a cast that was completely stellar. The movie screenplay was composed by author Mario Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola. The stars included Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duval and Diane Keaton.

    

The movie tells the story of a fictional crime family headed by “Don Vito Corleone”. The family one of the most powerful in New York runs peacefully as “the Don” holds court dispensing favors and making offers that “can’t be refused” The movies opens as the “Don’s” only daughter  “Connie” is being married. Returning home for wedding is war hero “Michael” (Pacino) with his Anglo Saxon girlfriend “Kay” (Keaton) We watch as the reluctant warrior Michael is pulled into the “family business”. Michael’s brothers are Santino “Sonny” (Caan)  who is underboss with his volcanic temper, adoptive brother “Tom” (Duval) who is consigliore and “Fredo” who is just there.

The Godfather spawned 2 sequels with the Godfather Part II being as some critics having stated better than part 1. There so many lines from this movie that are often quoted like the aforementioned “I will make him his offer he can’t refuse” or “Don’t ever take sides with anyone against the family ever”  and lastly “My father taught me many things … keep your friends close, but your enemies closer  The movie won 3 Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actor -Bando and Best Screenplay -Puzo /Coppola) and was nominated for 8 others The are not many people that have not seen this movie. There have been countless other mob movies but none rise to the level that was attained by this cinematic  masterpiece.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli and KEEP IT OLDSKOOL