Never hate your enemies

Rating: 7/10 (23 March 2014)

Much of the blame for The Godfather: Part III not being on par with previous chapters is usually laid on the shoulders of poor Sofia Coppola, whose scowling, blatantly inadequate performance (her father cast her after the last minute departure of Winona Ryder) weakens the movie and stands out in a trilogy otherwise enriched by sublime acting.
Still, the original sin of Part III lies in its concept: having Michael Corleone "pay for his sins". Guess what? It had already happened. That particular brand of Pyrrhic villainy had been masterfully explored in the last act of Part II, with Michael, previously all about family, ordering the murder of his brother, and with his wife choosing an abortion rather than having another son by him, an utter display of hatred and distance if ever there was one. The whole point of Part II was Michael emerging triumphant in his power struggle but utterly alone on his throne, his hands soaked in blood - something which was executed so perfectly, this sequel was essentially born redundant.
This isn't to say Part III is worthless. Pacino brings a world-weary desperation to the part, while Garcia and Wallach convince in significant roles. Robert Duvall is sorely missed as Tom Hagen - his character was originally supposed to play a key role, but was cut because his monetary requests were deemed excessive by the studio. His absence leaves an obvious void, the calm and collected legal consigliere providing balance to the more emotional world of the Corleones.
The last act set in Sicily lacks urgency and focus but, Coppola being who he is, Part III still provides moments of exhilarating cinematic craft, culminating with a superb set-piece in an opera theater and a bitter coda sealing off Michael's saga.
7/10