If you’re a movie buff or a fan of “The Godfather” (and if you’re neither of those things, please unfriend me immediately) RUN to Paramount+ and check out the ten-episode miniseries THE OFFER. It’s nothing short of fantastic.
I thought I knew a lot about my favorite film of all time, but it turns out I had a lot to learn. The story of Producer Albert S. Ruddy and his quest to produce the film, this is perfectly cast, astonishingly good stuff.
So often in long format miniseries, I feel like they are straining to fill enough episodes to justify the platform. Here, every hour flies by without filler, pulling you deeper and deeper into the behind-the-scenes drama of the making of the 1972 film classic.
Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) is terrific as Ruddy, the creator of TV’s “Hogan’s Heroes” that no one wants to give a shot at the big screen. Matthew Goode (The Crown, The Imitation Game) steals the movie as producer Robert Evans. If you’ve seen Evans documentary “The Kid Stays in the Picture” you’ll be floored at how perfectly Goode adopts Evans unique patter. Cocky, ballsy, over-the-top, and unique in film history, Evans lives on in Goode’s portrayal. He’s sure to get an Emmy, he’s astonishing.
Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts) nails Francis Ford Coppola in all his unknown wunderkind glory. I don’t remember Burn Gorman in anything he’s been in, but his portrayal of Gulf + Western President Charles Bludhorn is superb. The scenes with he and Goode going head-to-head are hilarious and powerful as hell.
Patrick Gallo has a blast as writer Mario Puzo, the creator of the hottest book on the planet adapting his novel with Coppola for the big screen.
Colin Hanks is tight ass Paramount bean counter Barry Lapidus, the guy you’ll love to hate. Giovanni Ribisi has his best role in years as New York Mafia man Joe Columbo. At the time, organized crime bosses wanted to bury any film that mentioned the work Mafia and hated Puzo’s book. Columbo pulls Ruddy deep into his world with tragic consequences.
THE OFFER cleverly intertwines those real-life conflicts over power during the filming with comparable scenes in the film. It’s never as heavy handed as it sounds and flows perfectly, giving added nuance to both.
Juno Temple (Atonement, Killer Joe) is great at Ruddy’s assistant Bettye McCartt, who blazes a massive trail right alongside Ruddy in their mutual quest to get the film made.
Anthony Ippolito brings a young, insecure Al Pacino to life. Meredith Garretson stars as Ali MacGraw, Evans girlfriend battling for his attention.
For real movie buffs, all the key characters from Coppola’s entourage are here, from Peter Bart and Dean Tavoularis to Gordon Willis. Frank Sinatra, Diane Keaton, Marlon Brando and James Caan are all portrayed by an amazing cast that takes you back 50 years to the physical creation of the film.
I LOVED all ten hours. Funny, suspenseful, powerful, and exciting, this is great entertainment.
No expense has been spared in a careful recreation of a time in movies that changed the industry forever.
What an amazing tribute to a classic film. Subscribe to Paramount+ NOW and binge watch this.
It’s stunning. This is THE OFFER that no fan of Coppola’s classic can refuse. An A+.
And Matthew Goode as Robert Evans….WOW, just WOW.
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