Coppola unable to escape his own shadow,

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2007)

There has been a lot of nonsense written about this film. I think we can all agree that it doesn't compare to the original classics, which are really a complete work - from another time & place. They look down from a heady pedestal as the most perfect achievement in modern American film. So, there are lots of reasons why GF3 isn't as good as the first movies; NONE of those reasons have to do with Francis Coppola's talent. He's actually been rather dismissive of the film himself - just listen to the DVD commentary. But he made it because he needed the money. And he didn't have much luck in production, either. According to Al Pacino & Walter Murch, the original script was "all there". Again - it was about the death of a brother, Tom Hagen. When Duvall pulled out - it knocked the structure from underneath the piece. So he tried something different, improvising & revising on set. It didn't work. The scripts for the first two are world class. But he & Puzo had almost a year to write both of them - compared to the 6 weeks for GF3. Winona Ryder pulling out was a big blow. Choosing Sofia was stress induced folly - even then I don't think she is the main flaw. Eli Wallach's performance is quite frankly worse, wildly OTT. And by all accounts post-production was rushed & panicked. Why wasn't Walter Murch involved from the start, instead of being drafted in at the 11th hour? Coppola made some bad decisions and never quite managed to establish his rhythm or tone. But there is still so much to enjoy in this film. Brilliant sets from Dean Tavoularis, gorgeous autumnal photography & costume design from Gordon Willis & Milena Canonero. Pacino is once again magnificent - even if his characterisation seems a million miles from GF2. Also, Andy Garcia, given the confinements of the script is superb. And for all it's flaws, I have a lot of affection for this film. Francis Coppola is unable to make a film without genuine emotion - and compared to 90% of the crap we get forced fed today, GF3 is really rather good thanks. I always thought this film was the perfect metaphor for Coppola's career; flawed & brilliant in equal measure - unable to escape the shadow cast by his own initial burst of genius. A bit like Michael Corleone, really.
*** I've just finished watching the trilogy on the new re-mastered DVDs. Have to say the films look just incredibly beautiful. Not only the oily browns, blacks & yellows, but also the blues, greens & reds - my God - the REDS! Just glorious. Along with a brilliantly enhanced sound /score, Part 3 has benefited enormously. No kidding - the whole piece has been lifted - plays much better, with a lovely "cathedral" quality, I didn't appreciate before. Overall, the films look much more a like. Really, Gordon Willis should get a Noble Prize for photography. Paramount & Dreamworks - thank you - if the DVDs are this good, I can only imagine the eventual Blu-Ray release will be a miracle of image & sound. ***