Details
Movie Description
A wry and winsome film about a freshman film student in New York City who is made an offer he can't refuse by a Mafia don who is the spitting image of Don Corleone. As he weighs the romance against the danger of his association, he finds himself rapidly more involved. The Godfather himself, Marlon Brando, brilliantly reprises his famous role in this oddly affecting comedy.
Synopsis
Clark Kellogg, a film student newly arrived in New York City, gets ripped off as soon as he gets off the train. Short on cash, he finds the thief and ends up taking a part-time job with the thief's Uncle Carmine. Hired to transport exotic animals, Clark discovers that they are members of endangered species, intended to be the main course at a luxury gourmet club.
Film Notes
Filmed in Technicolor and Panavision.
Jules Sylvester, Jim Brickett and Gina Perry are listed in the credits as lizard suppliers and trainers.
The film includes clips of "The Godfather Part II" and "42nd Street." A statement that Paramount Pictures is the exclusive owner of all motion picture rights to the Godfather movies and the character of Don Vito Corleone appears towards the end of the credits. Mr. Brando contributed to the publicity efforts on the film's behalf when he publicly denigrated the film and its production after it finished shooting. He later retracted his remarks.
In "The Freshman," Andrew Bergman manages to turn a combination of plot contrivances into an amusing turn on both "The Godfather" and "The Sting." The performances are what make the picture, though, including that of Paul Benedict as a self-absorbed film teacher, Bert Parks' priceless rendition of a Bob Dylan song, and most of all, Marlon Brando doing an impression of Marlon Brando. And not to forget the adorable Komodo dragon who steals the show.
Filmed in New York City, Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Gianni Russo, who plays the maitre d' of the Gourmet Club, appeared with Brando in "The Godfather," and Bruno Kirby appeared in "The Godfather Part II."
Industry Reviews
"...Fitfully amusing....THE FRESHMAN has a snappy madness that's hard to resist..."
Rolling Stone - p.46 - Peter Travers
"...A witty and enchanted comedy....Propelled by the actors' straight-faced delivery to an ever more lunatic pitch..."
New York Times - p.C10 - Janet Maslin
"... What THE FRESHMAN demonstrates is that Brando can parody himself better than any of his imitators -- and still appear as regal as ever..."
Los Angeles Times - p.F1 - Sheila Benson
"Effectively, this is the final full Brando performance, and it ushers him out on a wonderfully sweet, lyrical note..."
Entertainment Weekly - Entertainment Weekly Staff (07/16/2004)
"A modest comedy with its own rewards."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (10/01/2004)
Quotations
"He's an importer,... an extremely powerful importer." (Tina Sabatini, reassuring Clark about her father)
"They cook these animals, yes sir, for an international clientele of degenerates, scum, Eurotrash... The more endangered the species, the higher the price tag." (Fish and Game agent Greenwald to Clark)
"Every word I say, by definition, is a promise." (Carmine Sabatini to Clark)
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