I tried twice before to watch this movie, but always ended up stopping somewhere around 3/4 of the way through. This time I went in with the right mindset, and instead of expecting a fast modern action movie, I knew this would be a slow, nuanced, character-centric piece. Indeed, without the element of shock - once pioneering but now comparatively mellow - this movie loses a lot of the punch it originally had, resting instead on the strength of its script, cinematography and performances.
That being said, it's only once I'd seen the whole thing and given it time to sink in that it really became clear that this is a heck of an epic tale. It isn't quick entertainment, it's a trip through the life and the world of the Godfather. There's just something about the movie that feels extremely nostalgic after seeing it.
I could go on about how excellent the performances are or how well-crafted the whole thing is, but that all goes without saying. What makes this truly special is how it goes beyond that to create a story that just stays with you, if only you give it the patience it deserves.
