The hosts argue that The Godfather is a near-perfect work of commercial art, one of the most influential and quotable movies ever made, and a foundational text for modern pop culture and gangster storytelling. They also spend a lot of time on casting, production chaos, scenes, and whether part one or part two is better.
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01The movie is endlessly quotable and its dialogue has entered everyday language. Opening minutes
02Its characters and family dynamics feel instantly legible and mythic on repeat viewings. About 8 min
03The wedding opening efficiently introduces the whole world and makes the family feel real. About 40 min
04The baptism montage is a masterclass in thematic editing and payoff. About 40 min
05The film’s combination of prestige and entertainment makes it satisfying to revisit. Opening minutes
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
moderateKay Adams/Kay Corleone is an irritating or poorly conceived character, especially in how quickly she returns to Michael. About 56 min
majorApollonia being played by a teenager is uncomfortable in hindsight. About 1:04
moderateJohnny Fontaine is a weak performance and undermines the Sinatra-like character. About 1:04
minorSome staging and logistics, especially Sonny's toll-booth killing and the Sicily escape, raise plausibility questions. About 32 min · medium confidence
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
Favorite
Opening wedding sequence
A long, documentary-like introduction that establishes the family, the rules, and the movie's world.
About 40 min Favorite
Michael killing Sollozzo and McCluskey
The key turning-point scene where Michael commits to the family business.
About 24 min Favorite
Baptism montage
Intercut baptism and assassination sequence that they see as the film's montage masterpiece.
About 32 min Favorite
Garden conversation between Vito and Michael
The emotional core of the film, where father and son discuss duty, legacy, and regret.
About 40 min positive
Meeting Mo Green in Vegas
A standout scene for Mo Green's swagger and the introduction of Las Vegas business.
About 40 min mixed
Sonny's toll-booth assassination
Memorable and brutal, but one host questions the staging and logistics.
About 32 min positive
Don Vito's five-families meeting
A major negotiation scene that leads to the superstitious-man speech.
About 32 min Favorite
The christening scene
The climactic montage of Michael consolidating power while the family coverts to violence.
About 32 min mixed
Michael and Kay reunion/end-door-close
The ending is powerful but they note Kay's scene before the closing door is weak.
About 1:36
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They agreed Opening minutes
Is The Godfather the greatest movie ever?
Bill Simmons
Yes; it is his favorite and the greatest movie of all time.
Sean Fennessey
It's the most important and accomplished piece of commercial popular culture, if not the single greatest movie.
Chris Ryan
It is one of the all-time essential films, and possibly the first great modern movie.
They partly agreed About 40 min
Most rewatchable scene
Bill Simmons
The Michael/Vito garden scene.
Chris Ryan
The baptism montage.
Bill Simmons
Also strongly considers the christening and Mo Green scenes.
No final agreement About 56 min
How good is Kay Adams as a character?
Bill Simmons
She is frustrating and implausible.
Chris Ryan
She is necessary as the outsider avatar for the audience.
They partly agreed About 1:36
Which film is better: The Godfather or The Godfather Part II?
Bill Simmons
Part I is more pleasurable and rewatchable.
Chris Ryan
Part II may be the better film, though Part I is easier to watch.
Sean Fennessey
Part II is the one that most recently blew him away, but the difference is tiny.
11 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
favorableTom HagenBill Simmons: Discussed as one of the all-time great movie characters, especially for his Irish-German outsider perspective. About 16 min
criticalJohnny FontaineBill Simmons: Mocked as badly cast and not nearly cool enough for the Sinatra-like role. About 1:04
criticalKay AdamsBill Simmons: Debated as a necessary outsider but also frustrating and hard to accept in the plot. About 56 min
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