Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.
A man has to be what he is. You can’t break the mold. Shane
Politics and crime - it's the same thing. Michael Corleone
You can’t buy happiness. I guess that’s the main thing I learned watching The Godfather, Part III. Or maybe a leopard can’t change his spots. But, really, that’s the same thing. The film is, at bottom, a search for redemption. The Godfather, Part III is a superb capstone to the best movie trilogy I’ve ever seen.
Like the first two Godfather installments, family, ritual, race, and vengeance are integral elements of the day-to-day existence of the Corleones. The year is 1979, Don Michael (Al Pacino) is an elderly man now, beset by ill health and haunted by his past sins. He is clearly preoccupied with thoughts of his afterlife compounded by trying to cope with various problems in the here and now.
The controller of vast multinational holdings, Michael is trying to go legit. Gone are the gambling casinos, vice, and other nefarious activities. All his money is invested in legitimate business enterprises. Michael is honored in a grandiose ritual as a defender of the faith in return for a $100 million donation to the Roman Catholic Church. Like all the Corleone activities, all the family are there, including his estranged wife and children.
The final step in Michael’s redemption program is to gain control of Immobiliare, the largest real estate holder in the world. He needs approval of the Vatican, which owns a large interest, as well as the European board of directors. He is informed that a further $600 million contribution to the Vatican will ensure his success, but his New York associates want to be included in the deal. They see Immobiliare as a convenient way to launder their ill-gotten funds.
Michael, despite his best intentions is pulled back into the life he so desperately wanted to leave. As a strong right arm, elderly Michael selects his nephew Vicente (Andy Garcia), illegitimate son of his slain brother Sonny.
Director Francis Ford Coppola deserves kudos for putting together such a compelling story, casting, and filming with an eye for continuity between the segments that is frankly remarkable. Most of the scenes were filmed on actual locations and the production design is flawless, everything looks period and right. All the familiar characters are there, some in flashback, and a few new ones were added including towering performances from Eli Wallach, Andy Garcia, Raf Vallone, and Joe Mantegna. Of course, Al Pacino did a marvelous job as he did on all the trilogy’s segments.
Francis Ford Coppola took some flak for casting his daughter Sofia, as Michael’s daughter Mary, but in my opinion she did just fine along with the rest of the cast. Surprising depth was demonstrated by Talia Shire (Connie) (Coppola’s real-life sister) as a character as twisted as any black widow you’ve ever seen.
As in the other Godfather installments, the camera, lighting, and scoring is absolutely wonderful. The bitter irony as the story plays out will not fail to move you. As your mother used to tell you, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.”
The Godfather, Part III DVD is only available as a part of the Godfather DVD Collection which includes all three segments but is still available as a VHS tape for solo purchase. As part of the trilogy a bonus disc containing a wealth of background information, interviews, and insights into the making of the trilogy is well worth viewing also. Five stars.
You’ll also want to view the other two Godfather installments.
An aging don michael corleone tries to secure a peaceful future for his beloved children, but his hothead nephew has other ideas.More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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