Best film? Not likely... But it is filmmaking at its definite peek!

Rating: 10/10 (27 January 2002)

I have seen many films far more ambitious in their scope and execution, I have seen more than a dozen films that made far more important statements about the world, and I have seen films that moved me far beyond anywhere The Godfather could have moved me. But can the greatness of this film really be denied by anyone with even a vague knowledge about the filmmaking process? To call this film garbage is idiocy, there is no excuse, anyone who might make such a statement obviously has no clue about movies, even if they try to state otherwise. Despite the fact that in many ways it glamorizes the criminal life, The Godfather is the peek of excellence in film. It's a shame that people buy into the gangster formula created by Hollywood, it's a worse shame that people expect it, and when they do not see it they demand it! This film breaks out of the formula, and it does so shamelessly, but it doesn't do it thoughtlessly. There are truly excellent ironic statements all throughout the film, it surprises me that some people who claim to have some knowledge about film miss them. The baptism that Michael Corleone attends is just one example, the shots of the baptism are juxtaposed with intercut shots of brutal killings taking place at approximately the same time, killings that were ordered by Michael as he took over the "family business". It's a very powerful scene, almost revolting, it creates a very definite question mark as to the glamorous nature of the first part of the film. Once again, this is far from the greatest film, but it's a definite 10 - there is no question about it.