Godfather.

People who LIKE movies have a favorite. People who LOVE movies couldn't possibly choose. As much as I want to choose one favorite movie from the Gangster or the 'Wiseguy' genre- made by Italian born director Martin Scorsese almost his own, I fail. One can easily close his eyes and name ‘The Godfather’ as probably the greatest ever motion picture- across all genres. Who dares to contest it? Francis Ford Coppola in one act of cinematic brilliance transcended all benchmarks. He created  a magnum opus, a catharsis of vulnerability, a celebration of unpoetic justice. It is perhaps only his genius ingenuity that he could pull of another classic 'Apocalypse Now'- a war movie that again set a new touchstone. But then men like Coppola are few. I can only think of two other movies that compete with The Godfather: GoodFellas and Once Upon a time in America.  You decide the order.

What sets Godfather aside to many others ( I keep Coppola's , Scorsese's and Sergio Leone's on same scale) is its exquisite plot: three generations intertwined around the great American dream, envisioned by  many Italian expats, in early 20th century. Some call it the best ever family movie. I wouldn't disagree. It glorifies patriarchy, yet never fails to expose the subtle beauty of its women. I still maintain Michael Corleone's Sicilian wife is the prettiest actress in a 10 minute role.

It is one movie where you do not find any discernible weakness. That itself speaks. Direction is top notch, and not for a moment do you feel Coppola is faltering or losing the plot. Like a true captain of the ship he is in complete control. Editing is crisp, and the haunting background score captures every essence of hard core professional criminals who live laugh and love their families. Cinematography is flawless. The depiction and the way the director takes his audience into his story remains unparalleled to the day. In one of it’s more celebrated and widely talked scenes 'Khartoum', the director introduces the brutality of Don Vito Corleone in a way that stays forever in a viewers mind. He may be a family man, he may have his moral code- but he is an uncouth Don after all. The scene never fails to send a chill down my spine.

Many of its lines have achieved the status of sacred scriptures. We use them in every day pillow talks. "I am going to make him an offer he can't refuse”.

Godfather has moments that drown upon a viewer; every time, no matter how many iterations one may have gone through. One such moment is when Paulie is killed in the car. Clemenza very routinely asks Rocco, who has killed him [Paulie]in the car, while he goes off to pee, with the liberty statue in the background; to drop the gun and take the conolli. Clemenza in the earlier scene was reminded by his wife at home to pick up conolli on the way back. The shear ease with which these gangsters go around killing is remarkably put on the screen. You will actually not fail to recognize the silent impact many of such scenes had on the forthcoming gangster movies.

It had an ensemble of cast that is tough to match. Marlon Brando is just the ideal Godfather. After his riveting performance as a torment soul in 'On the Water front' this is Brando's best. I cannot imagine anyone in his place. And I'm glad he agreed to the movie, though it took a lot of persuasion from Coppola. Al Pacino as the young war hero is charming. He acts through his eyes. Those powerful  meaningful eyes. While no praise is enough for Brando and Al, I think the beauty of Godfather also lies in the performances of fringe actors. James Caan the hot-headed elder son of the scion. Robert Duvall, the Irish lawyer, who is remarkably re-affirming in the skin of his character. Diane Keaton as Michael's girlfriend comes across as a strong women on her own, amidst the dominating patriarchy.

Godfather has tons of symbolism, evident in the opening scene when Bonasera seeks Vito Corleone's help in bringing justice (not the American justice) to his daughter violent abuser. He laments in front of the Don. 'I went to the police like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison - suspended sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool. And those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, 'for justice, we must go to Don Corleone.' The scene finishes, the soundtrack plays. Moments later Vito Corleone is posing for a family picture on his daughter's wedding. It is business as usual for the Corleone family.

The movie gives you an idea about how the Italian mafia worked. Of how the baton is passed to a son from an ageing father.  Old and dying Vito Corleone grabs Michael’s hands while plowing on flower beds, like any retired father would be doing.  Sad that Michael had to join family business in the circumstances that he did, Vito Corleone makes it known that he had envisioned a future for him: Senator Corleone, or Governor Corleone. Michael looks into his father’s ageing eyes and replies, ‘ We’ll get there, Pop. We’ll get there.’

Godfather should be seen by anyone who considers himself to be a fan of film and film making.