The Godfather, Part II

Rating

Director

Francis Ford Coppola

Screenplay

Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo (Novel by Mario Puzo)

Length

200 min.

Starring

Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, G.D. Spradlin

MPAA Rating

R

Review

It is an incredibly rare occurrence for a sequel to be as good as or better than the original. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, Part II not only lives up to its predecessor’s reputation but equals and, in some respects, exceeds it.

The first film concluded as Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) evened up the score in the attempted murder of his father and the successful killing of his brother. In this wonderful follow up, Michael begins working in earnest to fulfill his role as the Godfather.

Though not a flashback in the traditional sense of the word, Coppola’s gives the audience a history of Michael’s father Vito (Robert De Niro) and his rise to power after immigrating to America. These flashbacks are combined into the narrative to draw a successful parallel between father and son.

De Niro’s performance, lead by Marlon Brando’s Oscar winning perf in the original, is spot on. He takes many of the mannerisms and speech patterns and blends them with an all Italian-language performance. Pacino continues to give the performance of his life continuing the superb work in the first feature. Together, they are surrounded by an amazingly talented group of thespians who embellish the film with their talent.

The original Godfather told the story of Michael’s reluctant succession to head the Corleone family. As we learn in The Godfather, Part II how much reluctance Vito had when he took down a ganglord who was hurting the people of his neighborhood with his all-take and no-give attitude.

Coppola, who also wrote this screenplay with novelist Mario Puzo who wrote the original books, crafts an incredible character study of two men who are as alike one another as they are unlike any other. They lead with strong arms but a gentle and considerate heart. Although they surround themselves with violence and use it as a means to an end, it does not stop their sense of pride in family and their fierce dedication to protecting each other.

The film again features great design work including beautiful cinematography by Gordon Willis and fitting period design by art director Angelo Graham and costume designer Theadora Van Runkle. Add to the gloss of the film a beautifully haunting score by Nino Rota and you have the fitting background for this amazing tale.

If there is one film that deserves to be crowned as Best Picture despite being a sequel, The Godfather, Part II is the one.

Review Written

December 8, 2006