The Freshman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A film student gets mixed up with a Marlon Brando impersonator who really, really loves endangered animals and offers him a job involving… gourmet cuisine?

🍿 The Freshman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in New York and a Shady Encounter

Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick), a naive freshman from Vermont, arrives in New York City to attend film school. He is immediately robbed of all his belongings by a con artist named Victor Ray (Bruno Kirby). Desperate and without resources, Clark later encounters Victor again, who promises to make amends by offering him a job with his uncle.

An Offer He Can’t Refuse

Victor introduces Clark to his uncle, Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), a charismatic and influential “importer” who bears a striking resemblance to Don Corleone from ‘The Godfather’. Carmine offers Clark a lucrative job: to pick up a package at the airport and deliver it to a specific address. Intrigued by the offer and the promise of quick money, Clark accepts, unaware of the true nature of his task.

The Komodo Dragon and the Gourmet Club

The package turns out to be a live Komodo dragon, an endangered species. Clark, along with his roommate Steve (Frank Whaley), delivers the dragon to Larry London (Maximilian Schell), a bizarre chef. Clark soon learns that the dragon is intended for a secret and exclusive “Gourmet Club,” where wealthy patrons dine on endangered animals. The situation becomes even more complicated when Clark attracts the attention of federal agents investigating Carmine’s activities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando): A charming yet powerful mobster who resembles a famous cinema godfather and involves Clark in his schemes.
• Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick): A naive film student who gets caught up in a criminal enterprise after accepting a job from Sabatini.
• Victor Ray (Bruno Kirby): A small-time crook and Sabatini’s nephew who introduces Clark to the mob boss.
• Tina Sabatini (Penelope Ann Miller): Carmine’s daughter who develops a romantic interest in Clark, further complicating his involvement.
• Arthur Fleeber (Paul Benedict): Clark’s film professor who is obsessed with ‘The Godfather’.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Carmine Sabatini: “That’s not a yes, I want to hear yes.” – Carmine insists on Clark’s verbal agreement to work for him, emphasizing his authority.
• Clark Kellogg: “There’s a kind of freedom in being completely screwed… because you know things can’t get any worse.” – Clark reflects on his increasingly dire situation, finding a strange sense of liberation.
• Carmine Sabatini: “When you get out to Hollywood, maybe I can help you. I could kick open a few doors for you.” – In a Godfather-esque manner, Sabatini offers Clark help in the film industry implying favors that can’t be refused.
• Carmine Sabatini: “So this is college. I didn’t miss nothing.” – Carmine Sabatini says it in Clark’s dorm room, showing his lack of interest in academia.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,460,601
• Worldwide Gross: $21,460,601

💥 The Freshman Reviews

Personal Review

I loved ‘The Freshman’! It’s so quirky and fun, and Marlon Brando is hilarious as Carmine Sabatini. Seeing him do his ‘Godfather’ impression was just brilliant. Matthew Broderick is great as the naive college kid who gets pulled into this crazy world. I would definitely recommend seeing it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of quirky comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy parodies”
  • “Those interested in films with Marlon Brando”
  • “Fans of Matthew Broderick’s early work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief scenes of violence”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “The Freshman is a delightful comedy that benefits greatly from Marlon Brando’s self-parody of his ‘Godfather’ role. While Matthew Broderick provides a solid performance, it’s Brando’s charisma and humor that truly makes this film shine. It is both witty and hilarious
• Slash Film: “Highly enjoyable film with an ensemble cast. Brando’s paroding the ‘Godfather’ role and that is what makes this movie great. Other actors have also put on top notch performances such as Maximilian Schell. This is film that every movie enthusiast should see.

Audience Reactions

Brando’s self-parody is unforgettable, and his chemistry with Broderick is top-notch.: Most viewers adore Brando’s comedic take on his iconic Godfather role.

Overall Consensus: A well-received comedy largely carried by Marlon Brando’s self-parody, with solid performances from the rest of the cast.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer/director Andrew Bergman spent two days in intensive conversations with Marlon Brando, discussing everything but the movie, before Brando agreed to the role of Carmine Sabatini.”
• “To ensure a clear reference to Marlon Brando’s iconic role in ‘The Godfather’, writer Andrew Bergman made Carmine Sabatini the character that ‘The Godfather’ was based on.”
• “Paramount Pictures Corporation granted permission for any incidental allusion to The Godfather in this motion picture.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Freshman?

The Freshman is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Freshman, you might like these similar films:

• The In-Laws (1979): Shares a similar comedic tone and plot of an ordinary man getting entangled in a criminal’s outlandish scheme.
• Analyze This (1999): Features a comedic take on the gangster genre with a focus on the therapy sessions of a mob boss.
• Married to the Mob (1988): A light-hearted crime comedy with a similar theme of an ordinary person caught up in the world of organized crime.
• Paddington (2014): Paddington has a similar plot where the title character gets chased for being an endangered species.
• Ruthless People (1986): Features the dark comedy antics of criminals who kidnap the wife of a millionaire.

🛒 The Freshman Related Products

• The Godfather DVD: Experience the original classic that inspired Carmine Sabatini! A must-have for any film lover.
• Komodo Dragon Plush Toy: Adopt your own adorable Komodo Dragon, without the endangered species complications! Soft, huggable, and perfect for fans of the film.
• Italian Cookbook: Cook like Carmine Sabatini! Features authentic Italian recipes to create your own Gourmet Club experience (minus the endangered species, of course).
• NYU Film School T-Shirt: Show your love for filmmaking with this film school t-shirt. Perfect for fans of the film and aspiring directors alike!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Freshman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “From Her to Eternity” – performed by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Matthew Broderick On His Experience Working With Marlon Brando | The Dick Cavett Show

Ever wondered what it was like to work with the legendary Marlon Brando? Matthew Broderick spills the beans on his experience during ‘The Freshman’ in this interview. I always find these stories fascinating!

Komodo Dragon scene from The Freshman

Remember that hilarious ‘Komodo Dragon’ scene from ‘The Freshman’? It’s a total riot! Check it out again; it’s pure comedic gold.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8zd8wZ-HoDg

✨ Rate