Satisfying Finale

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2013)

Watching this movie for the first time turned out to be an unexpected treat. The main cast consisted of Michael and Kay--Al Pacino and Diane Keaton returning some 16 years later as a middle aged couple who are now divorced. Keaton has had it with the Corleone family and Michael, now suffering from severe diabetes and heart trouble, wants to wind up his bloody days and make peace with his rivals. Talia Shire, as Michael's sister Connie, has become Michael's personal assistant and care-giver. Eli Wallach performs the role of family elder who encourages Michael to let go of the fighting and gang war bloodshed. Andy Garcia gives a superb performance as Vince, the son of brother Sonny and the heir apparent to the "family business". Pacino tries to tame the irascible nephew who has learned the family's criminal behaviour all too well. Michael's own son has abandoned his father's wish for him to become a lawyer in favour of becoming an opera star. This career choice takes the whole family on a trip to Sicily for the son's debut. Michael meets the future pope, whose plans for the Vatican Bank are somewhat at odds with the past. Michael hoped to clean up his image by aligning himself with the Vatican Bank. I like how the Vatican intrigue is woven into the movie along with the death of a pope and the election of the new reform cardinal. The locations in both Italy and America are stunning. I found that Keaton and Pacino made an fitting transition as they become the older generation to the children and their cousins. The opera music and the final location in Italy all contributed to the overall pleasure and effect of this very satisfying movie.