The Godfather-The Greatest Film In Modern Times

Rating: Null/10 (15 August 1998)

The Godfather-The Greatest Film In Modern Times
There is no other film that embodies the greatness of American film making such as `The Godfather'. The film communicates many different things on many different levels to the audience. First and foremost is the importance of family. The Don has never made any apologies for the life that he leads and did it all for the sake of his family. It is true that there is no honor among thieves but this is a movie. For the mere sake of the story, Don Vito Corleone is an honorable man. His word is bond and he is not a selfish cheat. Don Vito Corleone's most appealing asset is his relationship with his family. Although the film starts with Don Vito Corleone's reign as Godfather, the film is focused on the reign of Michael. There are things that I learned in this film and the other two films that I carry with me today. `Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer' is just one of the things that I think are important from that film. `Never hate your enemies for it clogs your judgment' is another.
The film shows that even the best made plans can go off course. Don Vito never planned that life for Michael. Without telling too much of the picture I can say once again it is the greatest film that I have ever seen and I have seen a great number. Gone with the Wind is an epic and as all time period pieces go, it does make us think about when times were different. I never could relate to GWTW. Living in Atlanta it is forced upon you but still does not quite cut it. It is much different than Star Wars because it appeals to a more earthly and realistic side of movies. Sci-Fi is a favorite of mine but this does not compare. Good overtakes evil in the Star Wars saga and in the Godfather films we are always cheering on the bad guys. They pay for their sins in triplicate, but still they would never change the lives that they lead.
Finally, the film is ageless. I still get the same rush from the movie that I did when I was first old enough to comprehend the true dynamics of the story so many years ago. We will always have corruption, murder, and power brokering in the underworld and it will in many cases be intertwined with certain political figures. Another thing that will remain a constant is the love for family and the undying care a father has for his children. A father will give the lesson, may it be right or wrong by other's standards, this is who we are, this is what we do, and this is how we do it.
The Godfather will reveal the many different things in the family, but most of all...it is about a father , his sons, and their business.
Francis Ford Coppola did a wonderful job bringing that story to the people.
DHM