Rating: 
Summary: The Most Hilarious Film
Review: A wonderfully funny parody of the Godfather. Starring Brando as the exact opposite of Don Corleon. One of the most hilarious films ever!
Rating:
Summary: An offbeat gem
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Now you're talking generalities...
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: More intricate than you think
Review: First some info about the DVD. It has an appalling lack of extra goodies. At first you think they forgot to label the DVD. Then you can see from the description ring that one side is for full screen format and the other side is for windscreen format. This movie is fun from the beginning. Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) narrates the background story. And is the focus of the movie. Clark is going to New York to film school. Upon arrival he loses his luggage in 19 minutes and 11 seconds. I will not go through the detail, as it is more fun to be surprised. However etch scene is so funny that you forget the different layers and depth of the story. The music alone would be worth the movie: "From Here to Eternity", "I Wanna Be Around", "Mona Lisa", "New York, New York", "Shuffle Off To Buffalo", "String Quartet No. 13 in a Minor", "There She is, Miss America", "Guantanamera", "Heart and Soul", "Introit: Viri Galilaei", "Maggie's Farm", "Parlami D'Amore Mariu", "Straight Outta Compton", "Tequila" There are a few highlights for just about everyone. The first time camera zeros in on Jimmy "The Toucan". The object being transported has a misadventure (great elevator scene.) The obligatory car chase with the unique outcome. The "beautiful Tina" Penelope Ann Miller, is so beautiful that it takes some time to just accept her character. Finally Bert Parks should produce his own album.
Rating:
Summary: Funny on ten different levels
Review: I'm almost ashamed at how much I love this movie, but I think that's a combination of the movie's overall cleverness and the little jokes that are almost throwaways but which are funnier than the main scenes, particulary the fake passport and Bert Parks singing "Tequila". Brando is great, Broderick is great...I can't help it, I have to go watch it again!
Rating: 
Summary: Brando:no disrespect here
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Idiotic,stupid, ridiculous, and inane
Review: If there was ever a stupid and idiotic idea for a movie, this is it. Any kind of aliens from any planet invading any place would make more sense than this movie. The only redeeming feature is Brando's performance, which in the context of the plot, writing, and other performances, is a miracle.
This movie idea and script is straight out of the trash. A five year old kid could write a better script. Each and every executive who ok'ed this movie should be fired and never work again in film.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Entertaining
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Brando's surprising grace
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, underrated movie
Review: There's a ton of fun stuff in here - everybody's awesome, especially Bruno Kirby and Marlon Brando. The pacing and comic timing are all just perfect. Great film, familiar yet original.
| 
