The Freshman

Buy This Item The Freshman by Sony Pictures  Available from Amazon  $9.95  on 8-27-2008     Young Clark Kellog (Matthew Broderick) had no idea film school would drop him into the hands of a real-life Godfather, but after a street punk robs him his first day in New York City, that's just where the road leads. Marlon Brando let everyone know he was in on the joke with his hammy, good-humored performance as the bulldog-jowled Mafioso Carmine Sabatini, the man Clark's prissy, self-important professor swears was the real life inspiration of Don Corleone. Carmine has a modest proposal for the naive kid from Vermont involving Carmine's gorgeous daughter Tina (Penelope Ann Miller) and the illegal importing of an endangered lizard. Andrew Bergman's tongue-in-cheek comedy keeps the spoofing in a low key, underplaying the outrageous situations even as he piles them higher: if the sight of a six-foot-long lizard scattering shoppers as it runs wild through a New York City mall doesn't do it for you, there's always Bert Parks's rousing rendition of Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm." <I>--Sean Axmaker</I> Reader Reviews Everyone has their share of hard times as a college freshman. Getting screwed into taking Bio at 8 a.m. on Fridays. Not having a fake I.D. -- and not knowing enough people who do. RA's busting you for partying in your room. The list goes on and on. Few of us, however, can claim to having as abysmal a start to their collegiate career as Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) in "The Freshman." The naive Clark, who hails from Vermont, is set to attend New York University as the film begins. Shortly after arriving in NYC, he meets alleged cab driver Victor Ray (played by the talented Bruno Kirby, best known for his lead role in "City Slickers"), who promptly steals his luggage. As Clark so aptly puts it in his amusing voice-over narration, "I had been in New York for 19 minutes and 11 seconds, and I was already ruined." Fortunately (or not) for Clark, his path crosses again with Victor Ray, which leads him to Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), an elderly Italian gentleman who bears a striking resemblance to none other than the Godfather, Don Corleone. Before Clark knows what's happening, he's running errands (possibly illegal) for Carmine, is engaged to his beautiful daughter, and is being followed by federal agents. The chemistry between Broderick and Brando is one of the movie's strongest points. Broderick is a talented comic actor who's perfect here as the innocent straight man, and Brando is also wonderful in a role that smartly nods to his legendary work in "The Godfather." Check out the scenes where Carmine and Clark drink cappucino, discuss Mussolini and exchange the "kiss of kisses." Priceless stuff. Aside from Broderick and Brando, "The Freshman" boasts a solid supporting cast with many faces you'll recognize, from the aforementioned Kirby to Penelope Ann Miller ("Carlito's Way") to Frank Whaley, who you may recall from his unfortunate experience of snacking on a Royale With Cheese when Travolta and Samuel L. pay him a visit in "Pulp Fiction." All are solid. Fans of the "Godfather" trilogy will love this movie and the numerous Godfather references, including several highly amusing scenes in which Clark's film teacher screens and comments on sections of "The Godfather Part II." However, you need not be familiar with the "Godfather" films to enjoy this movie. Writer/Director Andrew Bergman (who also wrote "Fletch" and co-wrote 'Blazing Saddles") has penned a comedy that effectively ranges from slapstick (Clark transporting a komodo dragon) to smart (Mona Lisa and "Godfather" references) to bizarre (supporting character Larry London's observation that "Carmine said one boy. And here are two.") Considering the film's strong cast and sharp screenplay, fans of Broderick, "The Godfather," and just good comedies in general will want to give this underrated, unpredictable film a look.

The Freshman Available from Amazon Price: $9.95 Updated on 8-27-2008.

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