The term "mafia" is never used

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 1999)

Possibly my favorite movie, this is an unsurpassed gangster film and well deserving of the universal praise it received. It scores a 10 in my book, not surprisingly, but I will include what I consider to be some minor flaws. First and foremost, the kindheartedness of Brando's Vito Corleone character is extremely misleading. I don't believe that any mob boss of that era, or even today, possesses anything but heartless greed for money and power. The viewer is left thinking that Vito is warm and gentle and had no choice but to enter the life of crime to support his family--bulls**t! The sequel (another gem) tries to explain this, but I still don't buy it. Also, I don't think James Caan was cast well as the hot-headed Sonny. He looks about as Italian as James Cagney. His acting is superb, but I think someone like Robert DeNiro (who also auditioned for the role!) would have delivered a far more accurate portrayal. On that note, it also struck me that Richard Castellano, who plays Clemenza, could have just as convincingly played the Don as Marlon Brando and, perhaps, saved the producers millions. Brando is, of course, phenomenal, but I think it's important to point out that the less recognized co-stars are comparably as talented. Aside from this, The Godfather is a cinematic masterpiece not to be missed.