Customer Reviews

The Freshman

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Young Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) comes to New York, and within minutes, is robbed of most of his possessions. Even though he finds the robber, he is still short on cash (NYU Film School's required books aren't cheap) and is receptive to the idea of a job as an errand boy. He is stunned to meet his boss, Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), who happens to look and sound like Don Vito Corleone. Clark soon finds himself tangled with Sabatini's Mafia-like affairs, not to mention his daughter, but mixed with that is a genuine liking and respect for the pseudo-Don. But with danger threatening from the Feds and a mob from South Amboy, is there a way out for both of them?

A delight of humor, as both Broderick and Brando excel. Look for a tour de force by Maximillian Schnell as the mysterious Larry London.

Lots of in-jokes here, from the portrayal of NYU Film School to Sabatini telling Kellogg that he knows a few people in Hollywood! The final scenes leave you laughing (Bert Parks hailing a Komodo Dragon with a Miss America parody, the very Germanic London being given intro music of a few notes of "Deutchland Uber Alles" and "The Ride of the Valkyies", Sabatini addressing said Komodo Dragon with "You cudda been a handbag" (recalling the backseat scene from "On the Waterfront"). The movie never takes itself too seriously.

One wishes that, given the capabilities of the DVD, that more material would be given the viewer. Unfortunately, we are left with the theatrical trailer and not much more. Disappointing.

The liner notes do disclose that the role of Sabatini was not actually written for Brando, and that the Komodo Dragon was played by a number of similar-looking giant monitors.

Still, one of the finest comedy movies of the late '80s. You won't regret it.

Although I enjoyed this spoof of The Godfather (and other genres) on first viewing, I didn't fully appreciate its offbeat charm and cleverness. A second viewing a few years later brought home to me just how original and endearing The Freshman really is. Sadly overlooked on its release, this is a movie that works on many levels. Its outrageous plot manages to combine parody, Hitchcockian twists, sparkling dialogue and, at times, touching scenes of affection, in one superbly balanced package. Its achievement is all the more astonishing when one recalls that this was the directorial debut of its talented writer/director, Andrew Bergman.

The cast is brilliant. Seasoned pros such as Bruno Kirby and Maximilian Schell (the latter enjoying himself immensely as the gaily enigmatic Larry London) lend wonderful support to the two leads, Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando. Broderick is ideally cast as the young college student embroiled in the affairs of the Sabatini "clan", while Brando gives one of his most likeable performances as the ageing "don" who bears more than a passing resemblance to you-know-who. On paper at least, the very notion of Brando sending up his most famous role must have seemed a risky move, but the great Marlon effortlessly avoids any opportunities for tastelessness. If anything, he enhanced my enjoyment of his original Don Corleone, simultaneously parodying and paying tribute to his greatest creation, and no movie buff would want to miss this cinematic reincarnation. Furthermore, Broderick and Brando enjoy a wonderful on-screen chemistry, and I was both touched and amused by their rapport.

Also deserving of mention is Paul Benedict as Arthur Fleeber, the slimey professor of film studies whom Broderick encounters. Benedict hilariously sends up the loathsome pretentiousness of such types, and the scene in which he receives his comeuppance is deliciously handled.

In short, The Freshman is a joy from start to finish, and repeated viewings will only enhance your enjoyment of this daring little gem.

This is a wonderful movie to have in your collection, because your appreciation and enjoyment will be immediate, and continue to grow over time. It combines swift dialog, hilarious performances, well done running gags, and a great street-level view of New York. The humorous parodies are obvious and rich, and yet it's wonderful to see Broderick's character try and act as if he's not -really- going through what he's going through - - his efforts to remain aloof to the farce he's embroiled in are truly wonderful. Performances from all other members of the cast are equally excellent. Not just Brando, but also Bruno Kirby; Kirby has really done something fantastic in this movie, and I've never seen him better. And Bert Parks!! Oh, my, who could have expected Bert Parks to do what he did!! Miss this one at your own risk.

Fine funny film. Brando later bad-mouthed this movie but he seems to be having a great time spoofing his Vito Corleone character. Bruno Kirby and Matthew Broderick have never been better. We loved the Kimono dragon sequence but the dialogue is exceptionally clever and the film has a sweetness to it that is sadly absent from today's "family" films. Bruno Kirby played opposite the Vito Corleone character (Robert Deniro) in Godfather II which is seen in Clark's film studies class. Highly recommended for film-buffs in particular and anyone who's every wanted to see Don Corleone walking a kimono dragon on a leash!

Marlon Brando has some of the best one-liners in any comedy. very memorable stuff. It is great fun to watch him spoof his own portrayal of "The Godfather". Broderick and Bruno Kirby both give it their best here. I laugh out loud every time I watch this. Worth checking out just to see Burt Parks singing "Maggies Farm" at the Goumet Club.

Matthew Broderick will surprise you with his brilliant comedic timing, but Brando will surprise you even more with his grace in the ice skating rink, especially knowing that he had to learn to ice skate for this movie.

Jack Nicholson once said that he selected scripts by looking for one that had at least three great scenes in it. This movie, The Freshman, has at least thirteen, including the last, when Brando and Broderick walk into the sunrise together through the cornfield, leading the Kimodo Dragon on a leash.

Matt Brodrick underplayed performance coupled with Bruno Kirby and Marlon Brando's first rate work makes this a movie that produces a lot of laughs.

The Godfather jokes abound and all play well. Brando being Brando steals the show and runs with it.

This is the perfect movie to watch with your wife just enough of everything to please everyone.

While not perfect, 'The Freshman' knows what the audience wants and, while not overdoing it, hit the right chords. Spoofing (or should I say poking fun at) 'The Godfather', The Freshman allows Marlon Brando to reprise his oscar winning role, channeling Vito Corleone in Mafioso Carmine Sabatini. Instead of allowing the audience to make the comparison themselves they immediatly make it for you aknowledging that Carmine was the inspiration for the central charactor in the Godfather films. This film follows Matthew Broderick who plays Clark Kellog (like the breakfast cereal) as he attends NY Film School. He inadvertantly meets and ends up employed by Carmine, which leads to his involvment in illegal activities that endanger his life and the life of a Kamodo Dragon (hilarious, believe me). The film, instead of bombarding you with laugh after laugh, has it's slow spots, but when the laughs come (most involving the lizard) they come hard and they are well worth the weight (the whole mall scene is worth the whole film). When you get to the whole 'Gourmet Club' scene it's just priceless! Marlon Brando gives a great performance, and Penelope Ann Miller as his beautiful and seductive daughter Tina does well (my father thinks Clark to be an 'A' student). All together this is a well packaged comedy that delivers the goods quite well...and Marlon Brando, I mean, how many times can I say watch it for Marlon Brando...awesome performance.

If there has ever been a role that sould not have been reprised it was Marlon Brando's one for the ages portrail of Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Yet Brando cleverly abd briliantly spoofs his classical performance in this movie. Almost as important is that the rest of the cast, Mathew Brodrick, Penelope Ann Miller, and especially Bruno Kirby, are not upstaged by Brando's presence. If you are a Brando fan this movie is a must see. It does not really matter what the movie is about, just watch for Brando's comic genius.

This is a very original movie with great performances from Brando, Broderick, Kirby and the various extras. It has some hillarious scenes, such as the mall sequence, the scenes in the professor's office and Bert Parks. There is a lot of subtle humor mixed as well as a very convoluted plot, so it is a film that definitely lends itself to repeat viewing.