This is a gentle little comedy that managed to make me smile several times throughout. It begins with a new film student (Matthew Broderick) arriving in New York and promptly having his luggage stolen by some punk (Bruno Kirby). As a result of this odd meeting, Broderick is introduced to the head of a mob--played by Marlon Brando. This is one of Brando's best performances, as he deliberately plays a guy almost exactly like his Don Corleon from "The Godfather". In fact, it's a nice parody of this stereotypical gangster role--and a very good one at that. I could say a lot more about the plot but don't want to ruin the film, so I'll only say that the further the film goes, the wilder and deeper Broderick gets into the family business! I liked this film a lot because of Broderick and Brando. Both seemed to take a nice, relaxed view of the film and the director did a nice job of balancing comedy, romance and fun. Well worth seeing and an unexpected surprise.

By the way, keep an eye out for a guest appearance by Bert Parks! Yes, THAT Bert Parks!

FYI--The Komodo Dragon in this film is NOT an actual Komodo Dragon, as it's one of the most dangerous reptiles in the world. The animal's bite is highly toxic and they are just plain nasty. So, naturally, a large monitor lizard (from the same family as the Komodo--but not especially deadly) was used instead. Also, the Dragon is not nearly as rare as they say it is in the film.

Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) leaves his mother and animal rights vigilante stepfather Dwight Armstrong (Kenneth Welsh) in Vermount to attend NYU film school. Arriving in the big city, con man Victor Ray (Bruno Kirby) steals all of his luggage. He encounters Victor again and this time, Victor offers him a job working for his uncle Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando). He's taken with Carmine's daughter Tina (Penelope Ann Miller). Carmine tasks him with a pick-up job. He brings along his film-school roommate Bushak (Frank Whaley) and the package turns out to be a Komodo dragon.

It's a fun return of Marlon Brando's Godfather character. The Komodo dragon brings a full-on comedic romp. It's fun and charming especially the ending. Baby-faced Broderick still has some of his Bueller charms. The movie has fun dangling the Godfather in front of the audience.

The Freshman had Marlon Brando not consented to appear as a parody of his acclaimed Vito Corleone from The Godfather could not possibly have been made. It's the one joke that holds up an interesting, but hardly ground breaking comedy.

I find it fascinating that Brando who would not consent to recreate Vito Corleone for Francis Ford Coppola in a flashback for The Godfather: Part II, was willing to appear in The Freshman. In 1990 he was starting to need money though and after that would need a lot more to pay for son Christian's defense lawyers. Marlon's last 14 year on earth were not happy ones.

Fresh from Vermont Matthew Broderick is a would be film student with a supercilious faculty adviser in Paul Benedict who through a sequence of bizarre circumstances gets involved with mobster Carmine Sabatani who saw The Godfather like everyone else and acts accordingly. Of course when Carmine is played by the guy who created Vito Corleone it certainly helps.

If money and implied threats don't keep Broderick around, the interest of Brando's daughter, Penelope Anne Miller certainly might do the trick. She's a young lady by dint of her father's position, used to getting what she wants.

Maxmilian Schell plays a gourmet chef who apparently specializes in pork dishes like ham. He overacts who tongue firmly in cheek and this is a reunion film of sorts with his co-star from The Young Lions. And to keep the reunion going, Bruno Kirby who played young Clemenza in The Godfather: Part II is now together with old Vito Corleone playing the nephew of Brando here.

The Freshman is a decent enough comedy for one that is completely reliant on one actor and our memory of him in one of his greatest roles.