Godfather III

[Abishai100]

This Francis Ford Coppola sequel was criticized for the nepotism surrounding the casting of his own daughter Sofia Coppola as Michael Corleone's daughter Mary who develops a relationship with Sonny's illegitimate son Vincent (Andy Garcia) who is destined to become the new don of the Corleone family once Michael dies.

Godfather III follows the dominion and reign of Michael Corleone in a 'modern America' which compels the mafia family to evaluate its developing 'cosmopolitan ties,' 'Vatican corruption,' and 'strange bedfellows.' The ending boasts the usual assassination sequence (something once again solidifying some Corleone regime).

There is also a very interesting corrupt father-son mercenary duo which accomplishes great infiltration into the Corleone family and achieves a terrible killing (I won't provide the spoiler here) at the end of the film.

Overall, I find that Godfather III is ambitious, respectful, and well-mounted. I do not see the nepotism criticism, since Sofia Coppola is an attractive young woman and serves a satisfactory role as a darling Corleone daughter Vincent is infatuated with, and besides, we find out later on, she's a remarkable film-maker in her own right.

Godfather III lacks the acting-flowery of Godfather I and the storytelling homeliness of Godfather II but it boasts something the other 2 simply do not possess: modernism mutton. That's why I give it 3/5 stars (something much more kind than most reviews!).


{paraphrased}

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MICHAEL: Zasa has made a move against Corleone (in Atlantic City).
VINCENT: I say we hit him now.
MICHAEL: We wait, Vincent.
VINCENT: Uncle Mike, I don't think patience will save the day...
MICHAEL: You're too impatient.
VINCENT: This family must rule!
MICHAEL: Your time will come.
VINCENT: I'm in love with Mary.
MICHAEL: Your time will come.
VINCENT: What's the big deal with Atlantic City?
MICHAEL: There's money there.
VINCENT: New money.

====


The Godfather Part III (Wikipedia)

 

[Abishai100]

Sonny + Michael: Premonition/Prologue?


Godfather III veers from the earlier films in its specific exploration of tradition-contouring (as the Corleones deal with a modernizing world), but in Godfather I, we do see some intimations of changing times that have to be addressed despite the spiritual discomfort of the 'old-guard' (i.e., Vito Corleone). This is best seen in the conversations regarding power-management and etiquette between Sonny Corleone (the projected inheritor of Vito's throne), a man who favors old-school bravado, and Michael Corleone (the son Vito hopes will not get involved in mafia activity), a more pensive man who favors the necessary 'political scheming' to keep the Corleones abreast with a modernizing world.

This lens of 'power-transition' is important in Coppola's trilogy and I think it highlights why Part III is more important to him than people think (which is why it warrants serious re-evaluation by any Coppola fan disheartened by the numerous negative reviews received by Part III).


{paraphrased dialogue}

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SONNY: There's no reason we Corleones have to become industrial stiffs just because 'America's changing,' Mikey...
MICHAEL: No, Sonny. You're wrong. The Corleones have to do some 'scheming' to keep up with changing culture.
SONNY: American 'culture' will always be one of pedestrian passion, little brother!
MICHAEL: Profit-sharing networs and commercial enterprises in brand marketing will change the role of the mafia.
SONNY: The mafia ain't the army. There're no snipers; you hire hitmen to walk up to your enemies and shoot them up-close!
MICHAEL: We need escorts, telephone operators, political consultants (like Tom Hagen), and syndication...
SONNY: Sounds like Washington, D.C. slideshows. What about our olive oil enterprise? Is that being shoved for computers?
MICHAEL: I'm not being a fanatic, Sonny. Pop's days (Vito-days) are over; it's more about conspiracies now...
SONNY: Conspiracies! Well...excuse me for wanting to sit at home with my family and cook lasagna and pizza!
MICHAEL: There's nothing wrong with 'Italian-American' clannish behavior, but we need to adapt to multiculturalism.
SONNY: Blacks and Italians will never get along, Mike.
MICHAEL: Sonny, I propose we move on this 'Triumvirate' deal in Atlantic City and then corner the market to sell tickets.
SONNY: I thought we were going to explore the restaurant industry (like we talked about with pop)!
MICHAEL: The mafia-world is not a game anymore, big brother. Everyone thinks about anarchy and profit now.
SONNY: Well, Mr. College Education, I suppose we'll find out which of us is closer to the wishes of Vito Corleone...
MICHAEL: Hey, I want you to be right, Sonny. It just looks like everyone is leaning the other way now.

====

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I liked everything about Godfather III except the difficulty in having to set aside the unlikeliness that a seasoned/brilliant mafioso at the very top of the food chain...would almost immediately trust an unknown distant relative with the keys to the whole shabang.