This Completes the Corleone Saga

Rating: Null/10 (21 May 1999)

"The Godfather III" (1990) is no cinematic masterpiece as its two predecessors are, but it is definitely worth watching. The acting is brilliant, especially the scenes with Al Pacino and Diane Keaton. Have you ever had a friend, relative or lover you were so close to for years but now only see them every so often, maybe every two years? If so I think "The Godfather III" will have that kind of emotional effect on you. Andy Garcia gives an excellent performance as Vincent, a well-deserved Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actor. I've liked him since I first saw him in Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" (1987). He has this slick coolness about him. He plays Sonny Corleone's kid, and displays some of the same mannerisms.

So much has already been said of Sofia Coppola's poor screen presence. I feel bad for the poor thing really, hope she didn't take all the criticism personally. Let me just say this about the fatal casting of Sofia Coppola (Francis' daughter): Francis Ford Coppola was almost forced into making this movie; he was millions of dollars in debt so it wasn't made out of passion like the earlier two 'Godfathers'. The film is very disoriented in some parts and the characters' dialogue unintelligible in others. "The Godfather" movies are about a powerful mafia family, made by an Italian-American family. Francis and Talia Shire are brother and sister; Carmine Coppola is their Dad; and Nicolas Cage, Francis' nephew executive produced this film. And now we have Sofia. It's a shame about her casting really. The final scene in the film would've played much better if she hadn't been such a paper-cut character.
But the set pieces, cinematography and art-direction are all wonderful. I loved the locales in both Sicily and Rome. And this film does have the same feel of the previous two, its own language so to speak, so you can enjoy it on that level despite its major flaws.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Music by Carmine Coppola (who died the following year movie was released). 170 minutes (Final Director's Cut).