Rent The Offer (2022)

A likable, good watch for cinema lovers but not original - The Offer review by Tommy

I can't imagine anyone who is a film buff, cinema lover and passionate follower of greats like the Godfather who wouldn't be excited to watch this series. It is about one of the greatest films ever made with a back story and production (supposedly) as unpredictable as the plot itself, with mafia getting involved in production, determined to not have the film made. So this Paramount film was made into a series ... by/for Paramount. Basically, overall, this feels a bit too much of a pat on the back by the industry and studio for them.

The characters are motivated to make this film because of the story and characters after Mario Puzo wrote the book. Great. Miles Teller in charge with backing of eccentric Matthew Goode, awesome. He comes up against resistance of Goode, money men and the actual Mafia, with . That happened? This story must be told. But, and i did really like it, it's worth watching, i do concede there is too many smug nods and a feel "boy, we made history, producers are the best". You can imagine some suits giving the go ahead for this just like in the series. Watching filming, "this is so us" etc. I don't know anything about the creators, writers, producers etc but you can't help thinking it. Particularly at the beginning while it get's going and you get to know the characters.

That's my only criticism and stops it being great. I did thoroughly enjoy it. If you are cynical going in you're going to think the above all the way through. The actual story is very good but not great. It feels stretched out and forced. Too many episodes, or chunks of the episodes are the same. It's not slow paced but actual story development doesn't move along enough. There feels like repeated scenes at another location or from an earlier episode. Not literally but it's seems that way, or putting it bluntly it they are basically the same scenes the way all Fast and Furious and Mission Impossible films are the same - when broken down. They are small complaints but i know it's not exceptional. Gladly these don't over shadow the series.

This by far is held together by the likability and performances of the cast, albeit too on the nose and safe. Particularly Juno Temple and her character Bettye who i can't overstate how good she was and how important her character was too the series. But i give credit to the writers because the character is irreplaceable to Albert S Ruddy played by Miles Teller, who leads with presence and diligence. Bettye is integral to the production and getting the film made, with Ruddy doing anything to get his film made including standing up to gangsters and money men. In fact this has every character has their moments of a wall stopping them making the GOAT of movies, including Italians, Brando, erratic producers, Sinatra and lunatic gangsters. Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo is showing range but repetitive. However his relationship with Ruddy shows some genuinely nice moments as it goes. Dan Fogler as Francis Ford Coppola deserves a mention, i don't know how accurate the performance is but he kinda sums up the series. Not especially notable but a character who puts the ideals of film making first, refusing to compromise, and providing some comic moments and a decent dynamic with Mario Puzo (Patrick Gallo) that i would've liked to have seen more of. Matthew Goodes' Robert Evans is also memorable, eccentric but unlikable and yet gripping to watch with charisma.

In my opinion these are the only reasons for it not being a great, memorable series. The other could be the plot which depends on you. I liked it and looked forward to the next episode. There are plenty of reasons why i liked it. I love films for one and i'm not cynical enough to let it be on my mind the whole time. I was with it the whole way. I was with the characters as they tirelessly strive to make an exceptional picture, putting the ideals of movie making first, the characters, themes, story etc. And to be fair The Godfather is a special film.