47. Coppola Cast #28: The Offer (2022)
Paramount+ made us an offer we took reluctantly: The Offer (2022), a 10 part limited series dramatizing the production of The Godfather. Bryan and A.J. review the series as a whole and wonder if, given all the other books, documentaries, and DVD bonus features about the behind the scenes of The Godfather that already exist, this series needed to be 10 hours long, or is even necessary. The highlights for us included: scenes involving Francis Coppola (Dan Fogler, in a solid performance) and Mario Puzo (Patrick Gallo), Mathew Goode’s performance as notorious Paramount production chief Robert Evans (making us wish Paramount+ has just made a movie version of Evans’s autobiography, The Kid Stays in the Picture), and the movie nerd catnip of scenes of cinematographer Gordon Willis (T.J. Thyne) and Production Designer Dean Tavoularis (Eric Balfour) arguing over blocking. However, neither Coppola nor Evans is the focus of the series. The actual main character is producer Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller), on whose memories the series is based. Unfortunately, his character is the least engaging element of the series. It’s probably not a good sign when a TV series just makes you want to watch other things (like The Kid Stays in the Picture, The Sopranos, or The Godfather itself). Also joining the conversation are two very rowdy dogs. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2019 Pinot Noir Oregon.
