Why you like the GF?

I like the godfather cuz it is a good movie. But i dont know why i love it soo much. What are your reasons why you like it soo much. Turnbull I wanna see your answer the most.

Sorry to disapoint you by replying first, but there are many reason one loves The Godfather Movie. Me, I just LOVE IT! I Can Watch it Over and Over!

1) Storyline itself is just fantastic.
2) Great writing.
3) Great actors.
4) The director/writer peaks our interest in real life Mob families by bringing it to the screen. Here, in a movie, the viewer can "root" for the bad guy where in real life it would not be acceptable to root for the real life bad guy. Deep down we all have a little gangster in us, Right SC?
5) I also believe that deep down inside of everyone of us there is a part of us that would love to live life the way we want, by our own choosing, and not being part of the "established and accepted" way of always having to do things the proper way. We all would love to take shortcuts sometimes to get where we want to be in life. In The Godfather the viewer can "escape" everyday real life, going to work for a living, etc. and relate from deep within with the characters way of a somewhat easy life.
6) All of us also admire the great power that the Corleone's have, getting things done at the snap of a finger, the power of the Don, his political connections, the respect that he demands, and the fear that he instills. Of course in real life we would not act like that towards another human being. But lets face it, there are times when we come across others (in our journey through life) that get in our way, and we would all love to just make one phone call to have them moved out of our path. Wouldn't we all also love to have a personal army at our disposal if the need arose!
7) And I found that as I have gone through life in general, at least on the business side of it, there are MANY lessons to be learned from The Godfather movie that, in it's own way, apply to many business situations in life. Dealing with competitors, different personalities, and in trying to calcualte your comeptitors next move in the business world. In my line of business I have always adhered to the Don's advice of " Keep your friends close, but your enemies ( competitors ) closer!"

And lets face it, how many times have you left the house on a Sunday morning and heard your wife scream to you " Don't forget the Cannolis!

We also learn how to make a good "meats in the gravy" for Sunday's "Il Pronzo."


Don Cardi

The 1st great mob epic ever made. I agree with Don Cardi that we all down deep inside would like to live a life like that. Also great writing and great actors.

Were to start . . .
The directing was ingenious. . . how in those real touching scenes we get closeups and the music . . . the viewer can really feel it.
Acting . . . Brando, De Niro, Pacino, Caan, Duvall . . . come on now dont waste my time
The story is great . . . not so much about the mob, it was more about family and how the great corleones made decisions the lead to their greatness and fate . . .
How many times have u heard . .
"I know it was you. you broke my heart"
"Make em an offer he cant refuse"
"we dont discuss business at the table"
I dont have time to think of them all, but in so many movies . . . the godfather has been used as an influence
Overall, the godfather has something every movie has . . . there is no doubt weather u personally like it or not . . . its a great trilogy.
You really can dis it . . . some of the best acting careers came from it. And thats it.

1)Michael's relationship with his father
2)Importance of family
3)Important lessons for life.
4)Great acting
5)Nino Rota's music, haunting.
6)Sicily scenes
7)Powerful, yet chivalrous and helping Don

Don't forget the real life effects of the Godfather:

yeah someone just THOUGHT OF E-Z Pass, give me a break

Very good thread. It makes us cope with the inner reasons we like this movie so much. For one thing is sure: this is not just a great movie. Not just a movie masterpiece. It's not just oustandingly excellent script, direction, setting, acting, music score, even though all these things together would be enough to make it special. There are many other movie masterpieces, but hardly they have the same impact on us, after more than 30 years, through the generations, as we may easily see in this very board. This is special. This is different. I agree very much with that sort of "identification process" DC explained so well in his detailed and bright post. But this "identification process" is part of every movie, theatre play, painting, poem, sculpture, music or other human genius expression whatsoever that deserves to be called "art". It's part of the artistic process. It's what is called "the cathartic process" art involves inside a receptive spectator, from Greek theatre on. So it is to be said that this identification is not uniquely pertinent of the GF saga, even though very powerful, for the psychological reasons DC so smartly explained. Personally I think that this film has such a strong effect on us because it let us identify with characters (Vito, Michael) who on one hand are criminals and on the other are heroes. They are both killers AND healers. They use power both for their profit AND to restore justice. They embody all greatness and misery of human condition and at such an extent that few ordinary men could ever stand. That's why we cannot help but admire them, even though we know they are criminals. The tragic ending (Michael's innocent daughter's death) is the right punishment for choosing (but was it a real choice? Did Michael have a real choice? I don't think so) that lifestyle. This makes our admiration morally bearable. When "the end" appears on the screen, the lights turn on and GF is over, we feel it was the obviuos ending. Yet it hurts.

And she called my post a smart post? Mine was 3rd grade material compared to hers!


Don Cardi

Just by the way, Lavinia, I remember that someone was writing me in PMs just yesterday that she doesn't speak English fluently enough. I wonder - who it was? Because it couldn't be you, it's obvious!

GF Trilogy is my favorite because it has everything. Great scene follows great scene, great performance follows great performance, all bound together in a compelling, sweeping saga of a family at war with the world, and itself. But if you pressed me to name the one thing I like the most, it's FFC's fanatical attention to detail. Everything is so authentic, so perfect, that you can watch the Trilogy hundreds of times and see something new each time.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JustMe:
<strong> Just by the way, Lavinia, I remember that someone was writing me in PMs just yesterday that she doesn't speak English fluently enough. I wonder - who it was? Because it couldn't be you, it's obvious! But I spent half morning on that post. This is not fluency, it's spare time!!!!!

As the others have said, there is great writing, great directing and great acting. Great attention was given to the tiniest, teensiest detail. However, for me, my favorite is Sicily. I think that GF was the first time that Americans were exposed to Sicily. I feel that Sicily and all its beauty and sad history was not just a backdrop, but almost a character in the movie. Sicily and Sicilians, even the dialect, were portrayed in an honest and fair light. Just compare it to the disaster that was made of The Sicilian, a book that had just as much potential as GF to be a great film.

I'm totally with you, SB. But I dare say more. Beyond so exquisitely portrayed Sicily and Sicilians themselves, I dare say "Sicilianity" is portrayed. Sicilianity as an existencial condition belonging more to the spirit than to a specific geographical area. Sicilianity as a metaphor of isolation, poverty, famine, desperation, violence as the only response to the absence of government, emigration as the only hope for a better future. A condition that is similar to other countries (e.g. Ireland, Eastern European countries etc) -- maybe this is why GF success is universal and not limited to a specific ethnic group (Italian Americans).

Every single scene is great. That is why it is my favorite movie.

The first time I watched, I was captured by Al Pacino's acting. His silence was more intimidating than his words.

I could go on and on, but I'll try to sum it up in 2 things
1) it is one of the very few movies which, after repeated watchings, you still see the characters and not the actors. i.e. Joel Barish becomes Jim Carrey after about 5 viewings
2) The way its put together. The acting, sets, lighting,direction, script, music etc all comes together flawlessly. You couldnt ask for a better picture.

I love the Godfather films for pretty much the same reasons as everyone else has stated. I think another reason why these films are so loved is because they're the kind of movies that after watching, it might take awhile to stop thinking about them. It's hard not to watch them without imagining different scenarios, different ways the story could have gone...what if's. I know that I am truly touched by something...whether it be a movie, a book, a song, etc...when I can't stop thinking about it once it's over. The films also stand the test of time pretty well. They'll never become dated.

I was 8 when I saw The Godfather for the first time (1982). Since then I really loved the family bonds pictured. Those weddings were like the ones I attended: lots of people, music, and cousins to hang around. To see a father (Don Vito) enjoying and suffering whith their kids was very moving to me.

Now I see that the acting,FFC great directing and an excelent story are the ingredients of this legendary movie.


Best regards,

The same reason everybody else likes it:

Acting
Storyline's
Music
Locations
Murder's
Reality

The Godfather and Godfather part 2 are BY FAR the 2 best movies of all time. People mention Citizen Kane and Casablance in the same breath as those 2 movies and I LMAO. They're not even close. NOTHING is.

As to original parts, I agree with you absolutely. "Modern" parts of GF2 are pretty inconsistent, but strictly that is not a fault of filmmaking ,rather that of screenplay. If only everyone would mind his own business...
Why do I like GF? Because it is a film version of a great novel, and as such it inherits many of its merits, where doesn't try to contradict it. Among them, subtlety of detail, knowlege of human nature and reality, elaborately developed characters, healthy cinicism concealing the depth of meaning.
Also, excellent actors, MUSIC!!!, the work of the whole crew, including FFC at his own speciality, I mean directing, not spoiling the script.
As to sequels - I don't like them. GF3 I can't stand.

I would have to say that the reasons why I love GFI and GFII is for the same reasons that everyone else mentioned above: excellent acting, directing, scenery, music, etc. But, my #1 reason for loving it so much and watching it over and over and over again is because this movie touches me in a very personal way. Half of my family were exactly like the Corleones (except for their connection with crime)! I can remember whenever we would have get togethers of family at our house,when it got late and me and my sisters were supposed to be in bed, we would sit on the stairs and listen to the adults talking and playing cards in the kitchen. It was like watching the GF even then! So many things in the movie I experienced in real life! So many of my great aunts and uncles looked like mafioso! When my friends would come over when I was in my early 20's would remark that my family looked like the mob! And that's exactly like it was! There would be the laughing, arguing (lots of that--especially if they were playing cards!), loud talking (they really couldn't talk any other way!) swearing in Italian, speaking English and then breaking into Italian and vice versa, AND WHO COULD FORGET THE FOOD! Eating and food was done with passion in my family. The smells of Italian black olives (wrinkled up--I didn't care for them because they were bitter), Italian antipasto sitting on the table with lots of homemade crusty Italian bread, Olive oil, pasta, meat balls, sausages, pork neck bones (which cooked in the spaghetti sauce for hours!), sausage & peppers, sardines, romano cheese (we never used anything but Romano cheese--there's a special name for it, but I can't remember it now), espresso coffee, anisette, canolies, and on and on the list would go. And, if you tried to leave the house without taking food home, my grandmother and aunts would go running out of the house with plastic containers of food to your car). It was actually an insult if you refused to take any food home with you. My aunt would actually get angry if someone wouldn't take something home. It was just the way it was.

Yeah, The Godfather takes me back to my childhood and adulthood. I sit at the kitchen table and watch everything that is going on (just as I did when I was a kid). I had uncles who would tickle me until I cried, would wrassle with me outside, throw me up in the air like I was a sack of potatoes, and great aunts who would swear at their husbands because they were playing too rough with me. Ahhhh, what a time!

~~ Lollie

Thanks for sharing you remembrances, Lollie! It was a great pleasure to read.
If so, the book will give you even more pleasure! Find it!

Lollie, your poignant memories just made me consciously aware of why I prefer Part I over II (and certainly over III). I, too, can relate to the closeness of the family and think back on those times of my youth as happy times. That was a central theme in Part I and we're not alone in thinking that. Mike thought it also at the end of Part II.

I long for those days.

I love in particular the street scenes in early New York. and Sicily..the "cluelessness" of Mrs Corleone and the street sense that the children of that time naturally developed. I often compare those times to today where there is organized sports, cell phones, so much technology that the kids today are finding it very hard to develop street smarts. Can you imagine our kids today alone in Ellis Island or running away after watching you mother get shot...

I had seen the Godfather around 15 years ago for the first time and to be truthful ( even after all the hype i knew about that surrounded it ), i did,nt rate it up there. Today i watched it again and my view point has totally changed . before , i would have said the best gangster film i had seen was "Goodfellas" although in my opinion , after today , i would say the term "gangster" is inappropriate and slanderous towards these people.
I am eagerly waiting to get off shift now and watch the second part and after viewing the critics on this site i,m sure it will be as good if not better than its predecesor.

Nice post...my family is the same way. A huge reason I love the Godfather so much is because I can relate to it.

hi lollie,
just like to say really enjoyed reading your post . there is something very intruiging and somewhat mysterious about sicily and the history behind it and i love it . bye the way im not crazy like tony montana

I can relate to Lollie's feelings. So much of GF had personal touches (minus the crime of course) of true Sicilian customs/ways. I won't repeat Lollie's post, but will simply say next to the great story and acting, that's a definite "draw" for me.

I know in another section here someone once asked if only an "Italian" should write the new GF novel. Well, of course, it only takes a good writer and story to make a good novel. However, I've always thought that these extra touches that Puzo/FFC added to GF are generally known only by those who have lived the "Italian (Sicilian) life, or one who has been very close connected to it. It surely enhances the film and gives it more ethinicity. IMHO.


TIS

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks. TIS: I have to agree with you about your comment about being Italian to write a book like the Godfather. There are so many little subleties in the movie that only an Italian would pick up. I could name lots of them now, but then my post would be too long! Just to give you an idea, one of the scenes that touched me was the scene in GFI at Connie's wedding where Tessio is dancing with one of Sonny's little girls. She is standing on his feet while he dances along with her ontop of his feet. My uncles used to let me do that with them! It was so that I could follow their steps without tripping them up! Also, the significance of fruit inthe movie is so typical of an Italian family. My grandfather never ate sweets--or at least only rarely. He preferred fruit and he always had a huge garden--like Vito's. He would take me into his garden as a young child and pull an ear of corn off the stalk. He would pull off all the leaves and strings and then bite into it. I bit into it and made a face because as a child you just don't like stuff like that. But my grandfather did--he dressed like Don Vito did, too. When I watched Don Vito dance with his daughter at her wedding--it also reminded me of my grandfather. He was very dignified looking, and he danced like an Italian Fred Astaire! They used to call my grandfather the "Italian Stallion" in his younger years because he was so handsome.

Yes, most of the little things in that movie is lost on people unless they have an Italian background--particularly a southern Italian or Sicilian background.

I have to say, too, that of all the non-Italians in the movie, James Caan had it down pat! His hand motions, and his "slang" was so typically Italian that he must have studied a long time in some Italian home for this movie! For example: At one point Sonny was talking about someone outside of the family and he said very subtly, "That mingja..." (pronounced: MING-YA) That was a slang term my family used all the time to indicate someone who was an idiot. Sort of like the town fool. The word actually was pronounced: MING-YA-ROOLL with the "r" being rolled heavily. Sonny also used the term "strutz" which was pronounced something like "stroo-tz" again, wth the heavy "r" roll. It was another derogatory term meaning an idiot or moron. Sonny, of all the characters acted and spoke like my family members. He had the hand gestures down pat, too!...with the two hands up, fingers pressed together facing each other--that was the way my family spoke! Too funny!! Just brings me back home!

~~ Lollie

Wow, why do I like The Godfather. I think the question should be "Why shouldn't I like The Godfather. I'm sure someone could compile a much shorter list as to why someone shouldn't like The Godfather than one of all the many reasons someone should. But, seeing as the question is why do I like it, I'll answer.

1) Acting (Brando, Pacino, Duvall, Caan, Cazale, Keaton, I'm sorry folks, but it doesn't get any better than that.)

2) The story (Sure, it's a romanticized depiction of Mafia life, but really, it's not so much about the mafia as it is about family, the importance of maintaining a good relationship with your family, and the value of friendship.)

3) The direction (It's amazing that with such a small budget, Francis Ford Coppola made the single greatest film of all time (IMO). Gordon Willis' lighting is fantastic, and set the standard of what lighting should be like in a film. Paramount took a big chance on a relatively unknown director, and an actor who was known for his off-screen shenanigans, and on an actor who they wanted fired the minute they saw his screen test (Pacino). Thank God it payed off).

I could go on for hours, but I'll try and make this brief. The Godfather is the epitome of modern film making. It set such a high standard, that few (if any) films have reached it. After 33 years, it's still an incredibly interesting topic for discussion, and it's also a film that spawned the greatest Godfather website on the Internet (actually endorsed by Mario Puzo), and the greatest discussion board on all things Godfather. In short, I like The Godfather because it's a great film, and has brought me to this message board and has introduced me to such wonderful people. It's weird, how a movie with such a dark backdrop, involving murder, drugs, rackets, etc, can bring so many people together. Who'd a thunk it?

There are too many reasons to list for loving the Godfather movies but as a history major and future teacher there is one that stands out. Many of you have stated that the Godfather reminds you of your own childhood and times with your family. I would suggest that the Godfather reminds America of her good old days. If you notice the story of the young idealistic war hero Michael begins in 1945 after the end of WWII. The war was over, the economic depression had dissipated, and anything seemed possible. The 1950s are a time of prosperity and growth then in the 1960s things seem to fall apart. The Vietnam war divides the nation, feminism, divorce,and abortion create different atmospheres at home and an innocence seems to be gone forever. It is not lost on me that the same story happens to the Corleone family. From the happy simple times of the post war years to the turbulent years of the sixties they follow closely the timeline and growing pains of the nation.

Hey new on the site, pleased to meet u all. I am new to the whole genre of the godfather, I hadn't seen it before but herd people talking about it my Dad really liked it and got the DVD so one night he sat down and put on The Godfather, I wasn't to pleased as I didnt think it would be my kinda thing...but as I sat there and saw the characters develop before my eyes I was hooked...I cared for them for some reason they were so beleiveable and I always wanted the Coreleones to suceed!! When it was done I was dying to watch 2 and 3. I think they are all brilliant and have watched them a few times since. After watching the godfather trilogy I have been interested in watching other films such as Donnie Brasco in which I thought Al Pacino was great! And I hope to see Godfellas and Scarface soon. I Also just finished reading the book aswell and loved it! I like the Godfather as it has let me learn about kinds of films i never thought I would like.