This is a show about the making of a movie, but it's so very much more. It's about the people who birthed "The Godfather", and the extreme adversity which hindered the creation of this immortal film. I watched the first 5 episodes in a day.
We follow an amateur producer, Albert Ruddy (Miles Teller), with minimal experience on the Hollywood scene, but he is a force, a powerhouse with a vision. His primary role with Paramount is to make this "mafia" movie that it seems nobody (who was anybody) wants on the screen. There is a lot of pressure from Frank Sinatra, the government, the Italians, and others to halt the making of this film in its tracks. At any given time any or all of these powerful entities are fighting for any hint of this movie to be eradicated from existence - never to be conceived, and promptly to be forgotten. But Mr. Ruddy's persistence and sheer will are what eventually lead to the realization of the greatest, or at least one of the top five greatest films of all time. Miles Teller as an actor proves in this that he is literally capable of anything, and his inexhaustible skills are apparent. Bravo. 10/10. Award-worthy.
The over-indulgent and bloated executives at an ailing Paramount allow Ruddy to assemble what appears to be a bunch of aspiring indigents...novices so to speak; to piece together a fragmented but potentially splendorous film. This is their story.
Ruddy's persistence and focus alone is what brought this dream to fruition, but he needed direction, vision, and inspiration as well. A woman named Bettye McCart (Juno Temple), bulldozes her way into his good graces, and basically takes the assistant position. She senses his brilliance and unequaled drive immediately, and with her own seemingly limitless knowledge of "the biz", she is able to enhance his effectiveness. Ms. Temple gives a stellar performance. 9.0/10
Ruddy meets an alluring woman named Francoise Glazer (Nora Arnezeder), who wishes to share his aspirations, and they quickly fall in love. Kudos to Arnezeder's portrayal of this character, as I found her to be startlingly irresistible. Although her screen time was fairly minimal, her character was quite refined - yet another brilliant performance. 8.7/10
The executives at Paramount, Matthew Goode as Robert Evans, and Burn Gorman as Charles Bluhdorn are the most profound embodiment of uptight intensity that I've witnessed in a number of years. I'm reminded of some of the great Jack Nicholson roles. Gorman has a very bizarre tone unrivaled by most, and I found myself strangely drawn to his antics. 9.7/10. And Evans, the way he shows anger, disgust, and approval all in the same expression - is quite convincing, and fascinating. 9.3/10.
The writer of the novel "The Godfather", Mario Puzo, was also invited to write the screenplay for the movie, because Paramount had a limited budget. Oh how fate smiled upon these circumstances, because Puzo (Patrick Gallo) went on to write one of the greatest screenplays of all time. And Patrick Gallo engineered nothing short of a brilliance. I am amazed at all the great performances in this series, it's totally mind-boggling. 9.2/10
Guess what? There's still more...
Probably my favorite actor in this series is Dan Fogler who portrays Francis Ford Coppola. If Coppola's true nature is similar to what Fogler has illustrated - then I am in love with this man!! What a fascinating and thoroughly compelling director and person Fogler renders for us. The provocative style and essence of Coppola - sheer BRILLIANCE. I feel like I keep repeating that word. The way he fashions The Godfather, primarily sharing a co-vision with Puzo, it's so tangible and full of emotional depth. 10/10. Award-worthy.
Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo (real mafia mob boss), is a very chummy sort of scary guy. You really want to like him, but we are reminded from time to time that he is indeed a real gangster, a true thug. Ribisi captures the essence of being a lovable bad guy. I have the faint impression that he wanted to be Marlon Brando (many similarities to Don Corleone), but was probably informed that it was too small a part. All said - 8.8/10
Colin Hanks as Barry Lapidus (another angry and impatient man) 8.5/10. I am surprised he had one of the very lesser roles in this, being such an accomplished actor himself.
Do you have to love The Godfather to love this show? I don't know, I love the Godfather, so I might be biased. However, my love for The Godfather notwithstanding, this is (and likely will remain) the #1 show of 2022 (for me). I find it difficult to imagine anything will surpass it. Everything is 10/10: writing, directing, pacing, cinematography, acting, dialogue.
