Marlon Brando’s Unexpected Encore: A Second Look at Vito Corleone?
Did you know Marlon Brando revisited his legendary Godfather role in 1990? Not in a deleted scene for The Godfather III – that would be too predictable. Instead, Vito Corleone, or a remarkably close resemblance, returned to the screen in a surprisingly delightful buddy comedy called The Freshman.
A Critical Darling Lost to Time
The Freshman is a fascinating example of a “how did that get made?” movie. Yet, it was a critical success in 1990, a stark contrast to the reception of Godfather III. In fact, on Rotten Tomatoes, The Freshman boasts a nearly 30% higher score than the third Godfather film, achieving a near-perfect rating.
If you were playing movie trivia, and the question was “how many times did Marlon Brando play Vito Corleone?”, answering “just once” wouldn’t be entirely incorrect. But the truth is closer to 1.5 times. Despite its initial positive reception, The Freshman remains a relatively obscure film 35 years later.
A Missed Opportunity in The Godfather II
Interestingly, Marlon Brando was originally slated to reprise his role as Vito Corleone in a final scene for The Godfather II, but he famously didn’t show up on the day of filming. This absence adds another layer of intrigue to his later appearance in The Freshman.
For many ’90s kids, The Freshman might evoke nostalgic memories if their families owned the VHS. However, it doesn’t frequently appear on lists of the greatest comedies of the decade and is often overshadowed by other iconic roles in both Brando and Matthew Broderick’s careers.
Carmine Sabitini: A Familiar Face
Even upon its release, Brando’s portrayal of a Godfather lookalike was the main draw of The Freshman, and it’s what makes the film so memorable today. This is especially poignant considering The Godfather Trilogy concluded with the divisive Part III just six months before The Freshman hit theaters in the summer of 1990.
The core of the comedy lies in Brando’s character, Carmine Sabitini, being a dead ringer for Vito Corleone. Almost 30 years older than when he first played the Don, Brando flawlessly recreates the jowly appearance, mannerisms, and iconic raspy voice. Yet, Sabitini is distinctly his own character – a clone, but not a copy.
Brando’s Imprint and Perfect Aging
Marlon Brando was renowned for adding his own nuances to the characters he played, and he significantly influenced the creation of Don Vito Corleone. He was 48 during The Godfather, portraying a man in his 50s-60s. Nearly three decades later, he aged perfectly into the role of Carmine Sabitini, becoming a real-life doppelganger of Vito Corleone, not merely a duplicate. And, like his Godfather performance, Brando’s turn as Sabitini impressed film critics in 1990.
A Perfect Fit
There wasn’t a place for Brando in The Godfather III, even if he had wanted to participate. However, The Freshman provided the ideal opportunity for the actor to revisit the archetype he helped establish, and doing so within a comedic context proved to be a charming twist.
Comparing the Two Films
The Godfather III currently holds a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and remains a divisive film. The Freshman, on the other hand, boasts a 94% rating. Interestingly, Roger Ebert gave both films 3.5 stars. While vastly different, both are products of The Godfather’s enduring legacy.
Rewatchability and Lasting Appeal
35 years later, the biggest difference between the two films is arguably rewatchability. The Freshman is a charming blend of “odd couple” comedy, crime caper, and coming-of-age story. It’s a “one-joke” movie to some extent, but it’s a memorable joke that the film successfully sustains. While it might be a footnote in the careers of Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando, The Freshman is a film worth checking out when available on streaming. It’s a lighthearted homage to The Godfather’s place in pop culture history and a fun piece of film trivia.
What do you think? Have you seen The Freshman? Is it better than The Godfather III? Share your thoughts below!
