9. Sofia Coppola - The Godfather: Part III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UYLVBwnzws One of the more infamous entries on this list - given that it is the controversial third entry in a series with two highly-acclaimed prior films - The Godfather III compounds viewer disappointment with this unsatisfying, if funny, death scene of Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) daughter, Mary (Sofia Coppola). This is one of the classic cinematic examples of nepotism blinding a talented director's artistic integrity; after Julia Roberts and Winona Ryder both dropped out, he drafted in his own progeny as a last-minute replacement, eventually being the straw that broke the camel's back as far as the film's fan reception goes. The embarrassing moment in question comes when Mary is shot; Coppola's glazed over expression, melodramatic movements and quizzical "Dad?" all ring true of an amateur, combining to make of this scene - supposedly to be the emotional crux of the film - one that better invited giggles and ridicule. That her dad couldn't see past fatherly niceties is astounding, given how unquestionably shoddy the performance was.
Shaun Munro
Contributor
Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.
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