“But you are not like him, Michael. I thought you weren’t going to become a man like your father. That’s what you told me.” -Kay

• Marlon Brando is Don Vito Corleone (won Golden Globe & Academy award for Best Actor)
• Al Pacino is Michael Corleone
• Robert Duvall is Tom Hagen
• James Caan is Sonny
• Director: Francis Ford Coppola (Academy Award for Best Writing & Golden Globe for Best Screenplay)
• Cinematographer: Gordon Willis
• Won Academy Award for Best Picture (1973)

Where do I begin? Writing about film, especially one this iconic is intimidating! I chose this film because it’s regularly discussed by friends and referenced in pop culture. I knew it was a must see. I’m glad I invested the 3 hours to watch it.

My first observation was how dark the cinematography was. This visually portrays the darkness within a large family wrapped up in a murderous, secretive world. The juxtaposition between the brightly lit wedding and Don Corleone’s shadowy office is a jarring reminder that many dark plans lurk behind a picturesque scene of the perfect, joyful family.

In the beginning, Micheal Corleone (youngest son out of 3) is identified as important to Don Vito when he refuses to take a family photo at his daughter’s wedding without his presence. When Michael eventually shows up with Kay by his side, the audience learns that he has distanced himself from his father’s family business. He is in a Marine Corp uniform, polished, and bright eyed. Kay gathers tidbits about Michael’s family as family members walk up to their. Kay is very curious and asks many questions.

“That’s My Family, Kay. That’s Not Me.” – Micheal Corleone

Kay was adorable at the wedding- brightly dressed in red, compared to the rest of the guests in black and the wedding party in peach. The time period was the 40’s, but her dress screamed 70s to me. I didn’t mind – I enjoyed how the costume designer brought in a bit of the current era. And I adored how Kay stuck out like a sore thumb in the wedding photo.

Michael and Kay’s story was intriguing enough to reel me into the chaotic, tragic world of The Godfather. The character development with these two is rapidly paced, and I couldn’t help but root for Kay. Michael was lovable with Kay by his side. But with the nature of film, nothing stays one way forever and the drama unfolds.

I am so glad to have finally seen The Godfather! I loved it enough to watch part 2 a few days later. (I turned each one into a mini series by watching over a few days.). I didn’t even attempt to describe how amazing Marlon Brando was as The Godfather. There’s nothing I can’t say about the film that hasn’t already been said.

I considered writing about Kay’s style during the film, because I noticed she was wearing red in 85% of the film. It made me curious and I stumbled across the well written, interesting article that I recommend reading:

https://theseventies.berkeley.edu/godfather/tag/kay-adams/

Lastly, my own personal story, which is sort of The Godfather related… I checked out Diane Keaton when I worked at Homestead in Fredericksburg (in the late 90’s). She bought a vintage dish rack!!! I‘ll never forget her iconic style when she walked in.. she was instantly recognizable in her trench coat and round glasses! Of course I wish I was cool enough to say “I loved your work in The Godfather”. But I only recognized her from “The First Wives Club”, ha! And of course, teenage me was too shy to say anything at all.

Mom, I’m glad to get to do a little bonding with you through films and I loved learning about your experience reading the book! Such a classic story!

Post by Valerie