The fourth series of The Godfather was one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2020, directed once again by the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and streamed on the Paramount+ platform. The series was a critical and commercial success, maintaining the same quality and intensity as the original trilogy.
The story takes place several years after the events depicted in the original trilogy, with Michael Corleone, played once again by Al Pacino, now elderly and ill but still the head of the Corleone family. Michael tries to rebuild his life after the deaths of his wife, brothers, and children, and to make peace with his past.
One of the main themes of the fourth series is Michael’s relationship with his children, Anthony and Mary, played respectively by Anthony Hopkins and Sofia Coppola. Anthony is a young musician who tries to follow in his father’s footsteps, while Mary is a rebellious girl who puts the safety of the Corleone family at risk.
The series unfolds mainly between New York and Italy, where Michael tries to rebuild his ties with his family and his Italian roots. Here he encounters a new generation of mobsters, represented by the character of Vincent Mancini, played by Andy Garcia, the nephew of Connie Corleone, Michael’s sister.
One of the highlights of the fourth series is the presence of numerous flashbacks, which show events that occurred during the youth of Vito Corleone, played once again by Robert De Niro. These flashbacks serve to explain some of the events that led to the current situation and to create continuity with the original trilogy.
The fourth series also focuses on politics, with the election of a morally ambiguous character, played by Tom Hanks, as President of the United States, who has ties to the mafia. This leads to a series of intrigues and plot twists that involve both Michael and his family.
Another important theme of the series is religion, represented by the figure of Cardinal Lamberto, played by Raf Vallone, who has a fundamental role in the life of Michael and his family.
The series concludes with a plot twist that left fans of the saga speechless, but which once again demonstrated Coppola’s mastery in creating engaging and surprising stories.
Among the other characters in the series, it is worth mentioning the return of Kay Adams, Michael’s ex-wife and the mother of his children, played once again by Diane Keaton. Additionally, the series features the presence of many talented actors, including George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, and Eli Wallach.
The theme of family is once again central to the series, but in this occasion, Coppola explores the internal dynamics of the Corleone family, showing how divisions and disagreements can endanger the family’s survival.
Overall, the fourth series of The Godfather was a cinematic experience that did not disappoint fans of the original trilogy. Coppola’s mastery in creating compelling characters and engaging plotlines was once again on full display, making this series a must-see for fans of the gangster genre.
