The Godfather: Part III-1990

Director Francis Ford Coppola

Starring Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia

Scott’s Review #533

Reviewed December 3, 2016

Grade: B+

The Godfather: Part III, released in 1990, has traditionally been met with unwavering criticisms for not being as great as the two preceding epics.

Sofia Coppola, who plays Mary, the daughter of Michael Corleone, in particular, has borne the brunt of the attacks.

No, The Godfather: Part III is not on the level of the others, but it is pretty damned good on its own merits and is a capable mob epic that concludes the franchise satisfyingly.

The central themes of the film are Michael’s continued desire to leave the mafia and religion, and the Catholic Church is a central theme.

Some backstory to the making of the film: Coppola had a non-expiring offer to create a third installment to the saga ever since 1974, when Part II was released.

After a financial crisis, Coppola agreed to do the follow-up in 1990.

The ever-crucial role of Mary (now a coming-of-age young lady) was to be played by Julia Roberts, who dropped out. Winona Ryder was then cast and bailed at the very last minute.

Out of necessity, Coppola’s daughter, Sofia, was cast and had little time to prepare or much acting experience (she would later become an acclaimed director, which better suited her talents).

In a similar fashion to the other epics, a major event launches the film: Michael (Pacino) is named Commander of the Order of Saint Sebastian in a lavish ceremony at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

It is revealed that Michael is approaching age sixty and semi-retired, leaving his business dealings mainly to Joey Zasa in New York, who has ravaged what the Corleone family had once built.

Many characters- Kay, Mary, Tony, and Connie- are reintroduced, and new characters such as Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia) and Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) are introduced, in a flurry of new storylines.

It is like a big, grand soap opera, with wonderful, rich writing.

I was immediately impressed by the neat cinematography- the camera captures wind-swept leaves and an artistic introduction to the film, as well as characters from the first two films, either appearing in cameo roles or appearing in cameo roles, small characters from the first two films- a great touch in continuity and history.

Coppola does a fantastic job of providing little updates on these characters during a party.

For example, we learn that Vincent is the deceased, illegitimate son of Sonny, his mother being Lucy Mancini, who appears in a scene. (Clever viewers will remember Sonny and Lucy’s torrential affair in the bathroom during The Godfather (1972)-it is suggested that this produced Vincent).

It is mentioned that Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) has died, though his wife and son appear, and Coppola treats us to a myriad of flashbacks (Apollonia, a young Michael, and Kaye).

These nuances make The Godfather: Part III a film filled with cool little aspects that warm the loyal viewer.

The main story- Michael takes Vincent under his wing- and strives to steer the family clear of criminal ties- is interesting, if not spectacular.

Connie rises from a battered mafia wife, raising kids, to a major player in the family, just as women progressed from the 1940s to the 1980s when the story takes place.

She even feeds her godfather a poisoned cannoli!

Michael, Vincent, and Connie involve themselves with the Catholic Church, bailing it out (the real-life Papal banking scandal is linked to the story) and striking a deal with it for a major stake in the real estate company Immobiliare.

In-fighting between the major crime mob bosses leads to several bloody massacres throughout the film, on the streets, in Atlantic City, and finally, in the Sicilian Opera house.

The pairing of cousins and lovers, Vincent and Mary, never really works, nor does Bridget Fonda’s one-two-scene appearance as Grace Hamilton, a brief dalliance for Vincent.

Also, the exclusion of the loyal family attorney, Tom, is a glaring omission.

So the film does contain a few negatives.

In a nutshell, The Godfather: Part III (1990) is a very good, epic crime drama even without the Godfather name. To measure up to the glory of Parts I and II is impossible.

With the bonus of having the rich Corleone family history and the intricate relationships between the characters, this makes for a treat for fans.

There has not been a Part IV, nor should there ever need to be, as the conclusion of the film is a satisfying wrap-up to the saga.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Francis Ford Coppola, Best Supporting Actor-Andy Garcia, Best Original Song-“Promise Me You’ll Remember”, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing