A special night at the flicks

The choice on Monday night was between watching a digitally remastered version of The Godfather at Cineworld in Glasgow (Europe's tallest cinema) and playing chess with half a dozen old men. I love chess but the film buff in me knew that this was a great chance to watch a classic on the big screen. I am so glad that I went to see the film. It was a magical cinematic experience from the first scene to the last. Half way through the film I was dying for the toliet but I was trying to hold it in because I was so engrossed in the film and did'nt want to miss anything. Everything is perfect: the acting, cinematography, music, sound, costume and setting, script and direction. There are no crap bits. Simple as that. It is a film that demands to be watched and rewatched, again and again. It's the type of film that you never get tired of wacthing, it does not lose its freshness. One of the great things about it was the pace of the film. It just takes its time without being ponderous, allowing the plot to unfold, for tension to build in a scene, for characters to develop and reveal themselves. Francis Ford Coppola does a magnificent job in that respect. I went to see it with my dad and afterwards we talked about the film, comparing our favorite scenes. My favorite scene is probably when Michael assasinates the chief of police and some mobster in an Italian restaurant. Pacino's acting is amazing: you can see it all in his eyes, as he sits there with the concealed gun, deciding on whether to go through with the assassination. Although he does it to protect his father it is probably the turning point in the film for Michael, as he turns down the road to perdition, although the final nail in the coffin is when his wife is killed in Sicily. Before that happens you feel as though there is some good left in him. His Sicilian wife is innocent and pure and may be a good influence on him but her assassination kills off any chance of his salvation. From then on becomes a ruthless, cold hearted mobster. Pacino does an amazing job of showing this transformation, and he deserved an oscar for his performance over the first two films. Equally brilliant is Marlon Brando as The Godfather. He portrays him in such a way that the viewer is almost sympathetic to him but you are always aware of his power and the underworld of crime and deception he has chosen for himself. The cinema was packed and a lot of the audience were young so there is certainly a market out there for the rescreening of classic films, old and new, and hopefully they will show The Godfather Part 2. I will be at the head of the queue! As for Part 1 it is simply a masterpiece and a joy to watch. 10/10.