Summary
At times, it feels like a lot, but the pilot of The Offer delivers enough good to keep you wanting more.
This recap of Paramount+ series The Offer season 1, episode 1, “A Seat at the Table,” contains spoilers.
Access the archive of recaps, reviews, and news for The Offer.
So many consider The Godfather the greatest movie of all time. We’ve heard much about the making of the film, but Paramount+ is releasing the series The Offer. The show is based on Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy’s never-been-revealed experience in making The Godfather. I recently revisited the film and am excited to see what the show has in store for us.
The Offer season 1, episode 1 recap
We meet Joe Colombo (Giovanni Ribisi) having a conversation about a seat and the gentleman lets him know if he wants the seat, he has to take it.
First, we hit the Paramount Pictures lot and we meet the head of Paramount, Robert Evans (Matthew Goode), talking what’s the latest on the productions of their films. Next, we meet Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller) at work and transition to him meeting a friend Mitch for a drink at Chateau. We then met Mario Puzo (Patrick Gallo), who pitched his latest book and only three people arrived. The lady he is with informs him the people perked up when they heard him talk about the mafia guys. Mario isn’t having it because he is afraid they will come after him. Moments later, Mario gets roughed up in an alley by someone who says he owes a thousand dollars. Mario is in deep for over ten grand to several different people and his wife is telling him it’s time to write about the mafia.
Depends on the company — Albert
Albert is a somewhat confident yet arrogant guy who talks with assertion. He impresses with his job, how he talks, and how he lays out certain writing elements of a comedy show. I loved this scene, an incredible quick background on Albert with Miles showing some proper poise to sell the character to the viewers at home.
We move back to Mario, laying out his new book to his wife, the way he will write it without condemning the mafia at the same time. Finally, the moment arrives when he announces the title, The Godfather. Although he might not have much written, he has the foundation ready to go, and that alone has him excited.
Albert and his friend have arrived to pitch their film to the studio and it doesn’t go well until Albert changes the pace and shows off that charm in a pitch about a Nazi comedy named ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’ (If you don’t know, that show ran for 170 episodes from ’65-’71)
The show moves on to another conversation with another pitch conversation between Robert Evans and director Arthur Hiller. Evans wants to hire Hiller and cast his girlfriend, Ali MacGraw, in the film. Hiller isn’t fond but accepts the proposal.
If you are wondering, we are moving to yet another conversation, but this time with Joe Colombo, and I would assume the mafia talking about this seat at the table. Everyone is making offers they can’t refuse throughout this whole first episode.
Albert and his lady are at the movies and as the movie ends, he rips off one of the more incredible lines about film and his passion for it that I’ve ever heard:
My mother, she was a tough broad. She never showed emotion ever about anything ever, except for at the movies. That was the only time I saw my mother cry. I mean, you can’t put a price on that experience. That’s magic, baby. I need to be in the movies. — Albert
Robert Evans is having a few drinks with some ladies when Barry Lapidus (Colin Hanks) arrives to interrupt the fun. Lapidus informs him that Paramount is now 8th out of 9 networks, and Charlie is livid over it. Evans asked Lapidus if he had read Love Story or not because he believes that’s going to be the next big thing for the network.
Albert arrives for an unexpected visit with Robert about how he wants to produce for him. Robert claims to be in a good mood and says he will take lunch to discuss his future. We meet Bettye McCartt (Juno Temple), who storms in and takes Albert by storm. She shows him around the lot to see what it is all about. He only has a one-year contract, meaning they have to move fast to find a smash-hit.
People are lined up out the door to get a copy of Mario’s book. He has a hit on his hands. Albert is desperate for a hit and he wants to meet with Robert Redford to work on his next project. Redford takes Albert up on an offer of drinks to explain why he should work with him.
The head of Paramount, Charles Bluhdorn (Burn Gorman), has arrived at the Paramount lot to talk to Robert. They take a call together about the book The Godfather and whether or not they should make a film about it. Barry lets him know that the gangster movies are dead, but Robert says he sees money with the book. Charles is all about the money.
Joe is talking about the book with the mafia at the table, which follows with them announcing his seat at the table. The strange time jump in the middle of the episode without acknowledgment is weird. We moved from him writing the book to a year later when the book has spent 58 weeks at the top of the charts.
Robert lets Albert know that he is on a plane the next day to meet with Charles and Barry about making The Godfather as he will produce the movie. But, he also lets him know, “don’t fuck it up.” Albert’s career is on the line with this job.
The ending of “A Seat at the Table”
Albert meets with Charles and knocks the meeting out of the ballpark. Albert officially gets the job. He calls to discuss writers with Robert and Albert wants to meet with the book writer to discuss the film. Robert doesn’t like it, but he gives Albert his chance to shine.
The studio doesn’t believe an author can adapt his own novel. — Albert
At this moment, Albert wants Mario to sell him on the idea of him writing the script. Mario wants the job because it’s his story and the Corleones are his family. Albert wants him to deliver a quick draft in three months and Mario promises it in three days. A funny little moment follows with Mario’s wife talking about his diabetes and how Albert needs to promise to watch his diet.
Mario gets flown out to LA to write the film. However, upon seeing Frank Sinatra at dinner, it doesn’t go as expected. Sinatra calls out Mario for writing The Godfather because he thinks the book is about him. Sinatra threatens him and has him tossed out of the restaurant. Albert isn’t happy as Sinatra is pissed at him and the incident will get around.
The following day, Mario is not able to write the film. Albert tries to ignite a flame under his ass, but it doesn’t work. Later, after meeting with Bettye and another assistant, they come up with the idea of approaching Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola doesn’t want to write the film, but Albert promises to let him not just write but direct the movie. Albert takes Coppola to meet with Robert and attempts to convince him to direct. Robert appreciates the ambush by Albert as this would’ve been a move he made. He agrees to the deal.
As the episode comes to a close, Joe is ranting about how the book continues to be number one and they need to put a stop to it. Sinatra sends Joe flowers and agrees they need to put an end to the making of the movie. So they send a message by having someone shoot out the back of Albert’s car window as he is talking to Bettye.
What did you think of The Offer season 1, episode 1? Comment below.
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