"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2018)

In this Godfather's hyper-violent Waltz it is strictly business, kill, or be killed. The Godfather trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola is legendary among movie-critics and fans alike, and capturing generation after generation in the sad, and hungry world of mid-twentieth century organized crime. The casting is excellent with Marlon Brando as the legendary Vito Corleone, the namesake of this film: The Don, the Godfather. Following is Al Pacino's breakout role as Michael Corleone, the youngest of the three Corleone brothers. The story focuses primarily around the Corleone family as a whole, though Michael takes a primary seat as main character as the story progresses further.
The family is very close, as shown in the opening scene at Connie's (Talia Shire) wedding with the big Italian family singing Luna Mezz O' Mare laughing, and having a right old time. Contrast that with Michael who is sitting at a table by himself, almost ashamed of the family he belongs to. He even goes as far as to tell his girlfriend that "It's my family, Kay. It isn't me" when she asks him about the deal that the Don made that couldn't be refused. On the opposite of the quiet Michael is the hotblooded Sunny (James Caan) Corleone, the oldest of the three, smashing cameras of photographers trying to get a picture, and even so much as spitting on the badge of an FBI agent checking license plate numbers
Francis Ford Coppola loves to use close-up scenes meant to inspire uneasiness, or dread followed by wide shots of the characters. A half eaten sandwich is of no real concern to most people, and does not deserve a close-up for the sake of a close-up. However, in the context of a half eaten sandwich at a guard post with no sign of the guard, it leaves an air of curiosity. Where did the guard go, why is he gone? Then another notch further, the guard who isn't there is supposed to be defending the Don who was almost gunned down in the streets only a few scenes prior. Now most viewers I would assume have never had armed hit men after them, but the atmosphere that Coppola has painted up to this scene leaves it clear that the men are coming back, and that the only one who can save the Don is the one person who never wanted to get involved in the business, Michael. This is but one example of many in which ordinary things, or the lack there of, create the atmosphere because death lurks around every corner.
Beside the fantastic screen-play, and the shot compositions, when one remarks upon The Godfather, they should also mention the musical accompaniment which helps build the scenes like no other. The whole soundtrack is primarily written by Nino Rota with minimal exceptions. The one which most everyone knows is the main theme of The Godfather, "The Godfather Waltz" is a very foreboding and slow tune played out on the trumpet for a few moments before being picked up by a few other stringed instruments. Throughout the scenes, the soundtrack might play a more upbeat and serene piece but as soon as you hear that trumpet, all bets are off. It doesn't matter what happened in the scenes prior, somebody is now dancing to The Godfather's tune.
Over-all, The Godfather is a wonderful film I would recommend for anyone to watch along with the entire trilogy. It's the type of film that will last from generation to generation as a truly marvel of a film. That, I can guarantee.