 | |
List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 13514
Released: July 14, 1998 |
| Our Price: $6.77 |
| Used Price: $1.68 |
|
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
CLARK KELLOGG, A NAIVE FILM STUDENT WHO ACCEPTS A JOB WORKING FOR CARMINE SABATINI. AS IF TRAPPED IN A COMIC NIGHTMARE, CLARK FINDS HIMSELF DRAWN DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO AN INGENIOUS SCAMINVOLVING AN ENDANGERED KOMODO DRAGON, SABATINI'S DAUGHTER, BERTPARKS AND A GROUP OF VERY HUNGRY ECCENTRICS.
Description of The Freshman:
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." --Sean Axmaker
The Freshman Reviews:
"Everything I say is a promise by definition." 
2009-11-30 - Sorry to begin with a spoiler, but that's the best line in the script, and Brando delivers it consummately. I plan to use it often, in a variety of situations. Viz."Do you really promise I'll enjoy this concert?" or "How can you be sure this toadstool isn't poisonous?" Hey, everything I say is a promise by definition. And don't hurt my feelings by wanting proof.
The Freshman is a film full of one-liners, of funny recognitions, of cameo comedy, with Matthew Broderick as everbody's straight man. Did young Matthew persist in the industry and become a star in his own right? I'm serious! I don't get out to the movies much. And how about the smooth-shouldered babe who played Sabatini's daughter? I might have thought she had a future. But honestly, I hate to recognize actors in films. If I can recognize them, they aren't really acting. The exception is Marlon Brando. Most of the fun in a Brando film, especially this one, is watching the man at work. Here he plays a parody of himself playing his most famous role, as The Godfather. This 20-year-older is Hollywood at its most self-referential and self-satirizing. It's not quite a work of genius on the level of the Coen Brothers but it's a balmy night's rental.
But unless I'm mistaken, the big lizard is just a monitor, probably Australian, and not a real komodo dragon. Anybody know for sure?
Perfect combo - Brando and Broderick
2009-11-14 - This has long been a favorite of mine. Brando brilliantly creates the calm, confident and powerful 'importer' with Matthew Broderick always wonderful as the benign and principled young man thrust into impossible situations. Broderick always brings my late son to mind, having always resembled him, physically, personality and integrity. This is a WONDERFUL exploration of how silly our ideas about mafioso can be. Terrific performances all around. I always recommend this film.
charming, delightful
2009-07-01 - warning -- possible (subtle) plot spoiler
Quickly -- how many films include both Marlon Brando, /and/ someone playing "Heart and Soul" on the piano? Two, and this is one of them.
"The Freshman" is nearly 20 years old, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to see it. If anyone doubts Brando's acting chops, this film should convince them. Though his character is an obvious Don Corleone parody, and Brando might have taken the easy way out, by going no further, he doesn't. It's a brilliant performance that never calls attention to itself.
Paul Benedict, best-remembered as one of the Jeffersons' neighbors, does a wonderful turn as a self-centered, really irritating teacher. He's almost believable.
If the story seems Just Plain Weird, note that nothing that happens is a coincidence. I'll say no more, other than that the "reveal" -- which makes sense of it all -- comes toward the end. Hang in there.
Cute Comedy & Romance 
2009-05-24 - This is a solid comedy, with some good laughs and a great "Godfather" imitation by Marlon Brando, making fun of his previous role back in the '70s. My only complaint about this movie is too many misuses of God's name, especially for a light-hearted comedy.
It's more than a comedy, really. It's romance and drama, too, with some good messages and some bad ones, too, to be honest. Matthew Broderick and Penelope Ann Miller make a cute pair and these two were in the primes of their still-young career at the time of this filming. Bruno Kirby gives a memorable supporting performance, too. He plays a key figure early on, and then gives way to the rest of the cast.
The story keeps you guessing all the way, with several twists including a big one near the end, even if it makes little sense when you think about it. The mixed messages and unlikelihood of most of things that happen here, are not to be taken seriously....just enjoyed for the entertainment value alone.
One of Brando's last great performances 
2009-01-29 - Marlon Brando did what few actors have pulled off with the Freshman. He parodied his most iconic character and got some of the best reviews of his career. Most actors who attempt this are taken to task for repeating a performance or becoming a self parody of themselves. Brando always did whatever he wanted though which is what made him the greatest. This film benefits greatly from him because when he is not on screen it gets to be a bit silly and boring. I don't want to take away from Matthew Broderick who gives a very strong performance as Clark Kellogg. Clark has just moved to New York to study film at N.Y.U. After he arrives he is robbed by a cabbie (Bruno Kirby) who makes off with Clark's cash and luggage. Needing money to buy his books for school he is in need of a job. When he spots the cabbie hauling his luggage up the street he chases him down after which the cabbie offers him a job working for his uncle Carmine. Clark remains suspicious even after he meets Carmine Sabatini (Brando). They based the character of the Godfather on Carmine Clark is told. He offers Clark a position as a delivery man of sorts. Sabatini is an importer who needs someone to make pickups and deliveries for him twice a week. The pay is good: a couple of thousand a week . Clark has his doubts and reluctantly goes to work for Sabatini. His first pickup is a giant lizard which he is to deliver to an an exclusive supper club that Sabatini owns where it will be served up to some rich people at an upcoming dinner. The lizard is endangered and soon two F.B.I. agents are after Clark leaning on him to give up Sabatini. Clark has begun to regard him as a father by this point since his real father died when he was young so he is conflicted. Lots of mafia movie parodies and conventions are played out in this one. The supporting cast includes Penelope Ann Miller as Tina, Carmine's daughter who develops a crush on Clark, and Frank Whaley who plays Clark's college roommate who goes with him to pick up the cargo. Brando is responsible for the funniest moments in the film. Even though he was big he was still graceful and handsome. After the film wrapped but before it opened he disowned the film saying it would be a flop. He later retracted those statements and said the film was a wonderful comedy with moments that would be remembered for some time. He may have oversold it but his performance is certainly funny and bound to be remembered.
