| The Offer | |
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 Release poster | |
| Genre | Biographical drama |
| Created by | Michael Tolkin |
| Developed by |
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| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer | Dalia Ibelhauptaitė |
| Cinematography |
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| Editors |
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| Running time | 51–68 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Release | April 28 (2022-4-28) – June 16, 2022 (2022-6-16) |
The Offer is an Americanbiographicaldrama televisionminiseries created byMichael Tolkin and developed by Tolkin andNikki Toscano forParamount+. The series follows the development and production ofFrancis Ford Coppola's landmarkgangster filmThe Godfather (1972) forParamount Pictures.Miles Teller,Matthew Goode,Giovanni Ribisi,Colin Hanks,Dan Fogler,Juno Temple, andBurn Gorman all star. It premiered on April 28, 2022, and ran 10 episodes through June 16.
| No. | Title [1] | Directed by | Written by [2] | Original release date [3] | |
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| 1 | "A Seat at the Table" | Dexter Fletcher | Michael Tolkin | April 28, 2022 (2022-4-28) | |
In 1969 at theChateau Marmont,Rand Corporation employeeAlbert S. Ruddy meets and forms a bond with ownerFrancoise Glazer as well as encountersSergeant Bilko actorBernard Fein. Together, the pair successfully pitch the sitcomHogan's Heroes toCBS, though Ruddy eventually departs the show. He convincesRobert Evans, head of production atParamount Pictures, to take him on as a film producer. InNew York City, struggling authorMario Puzo'sThe Godfather becomes a best seller and is optioned for film by Paramount. It is negatively received by the Italian-American community, in particularFrank Sinatra, as it is believed theJohnny Fontane character is based on him.Joe Colombo, one of the heads of theFive Families, begins a crusade to fight injustice towards Italian-Americans, founding theItalian-American Civil Rights League. Due to the success of the novel, rival studios such asWarner Bros. call Paramount to try and convince them to sell the film rights. Evans is able to convinceCharles Bluhdorn to retain them. He tasks Ruddy to produce, who selects Puzo to adapt andFrancis Ford Coppola to direct. To intimidate them into dropping the project, Colombo has Ruddy's car shot up byMickey Cohen's men. | |||||
| 2 | "Warning Shots" | Dexter Fletcher | Teleplay by : Michael Tolkin &Leslie Greif and Michael Tolkin & Nikki Toscano & Kevin J. Hynes Story by : Michael Tolkin & Leslie Greif | April 28, 2022 (2022-4-28) | |
Ruddy juggles problems trying to get the production on track, including Puzo and Coppola taking their time on the script, more intimidation from Colombo, studio executive Barry Lapidus interfering and insisting on changes to keep the budget low and dealing with the clashing casting ideals of the studio and Coppola. All agreeing onVic Damone for the role of Johnny Fontane, they meet with him after he expresses interest and agrees to participate, though he later announces he will not do the film after being publicly intimidated during one of his shows. For the role ofMichael Corleone, Coppola insists onAl Pacino, whom Ruddy promises to get despite being told by casting executive Andrea Eastman that Evans will never approve him. Evans goes to New York and instructs Lapidus to never interfere with him again. Ruddy meets with CongressmanMario Biaggi to be given permission to film in New York but is informed this will not be allowed. Evans is sent a dead rat in a copy of the novel by Colombo and he flees back to Los Angeles, where he learns he will be removed from his position at the end of the month. Ruddy is approached by Colombo's men, who take him to meet with Colombo. | |||||
| 3 | "Fade In" | Adam Arkin | Michael Tolkin & Leslie Greif and Russell Rothberg & Mona Mira & Michael Tolkin | April 28, 2022 (2022-4-28) | |
Colombo tells Ruddy that he will not allow the film to be made. Ruddy promises him that the film will be respectful and invites Colombo to read the script. Bettye hurriedly brings the unfinished script to Ruddy. With the promise that the word "mafia" will be eliminated from the script, Colombo gives his blessing. Ruddy, Bettye, and Coppola location scout aStaten Island home that they decide to use as the Corleone home. In Los Angeles, Evans ignores calls from Bluhdorn to concentrate on Paramount's slate of films. Bluhdorn finally gets hold of him and says he will not be fired, but Evans will be held responsible ifLove Story andThe Godfather flop. Glazer wants to help Ruddy with producing. She tries to insert herself into his business dealings, to the annoyance of Evans and Bettye. Due to the stress of his job being in jeopardy, Evans furiously rejects Pacino for the film, and he fumes over the long length of the script. Despite these troubles, Puzo excitedly informs the team thatMarlon Brando, whom he wrote to, is interested in doing the film. In New York, Colombo contends with the release ofJoe Gallo from prison. | |||||
| 4 | "The Right Shade of Yellow" | Adam Arkin | Teleplay by : Michael Tolkin & Leslie Greif and Michael Tolkin & Nikki Toscano Story by : Michael Tolkin & Leslie Greif | May 5, 2022 (2022-5-5) | |
Tensions develop between Ruddy and Glazer due to his secrecy and him not wanting to produce films with her. Evans discourages Ruddy from casting the notoriously difficult Brando. Ruddy, Coppola and Puzo record a screen test with Brando, which Coppola shows to Bluhdorn. He gives his approval on the condition Brando work for scale and comply with the studio. Evans angrily tells Ruddy to never go behind his back again. Glazer leaves Ruddy and she returns to France. The production loses the Staten Island house location, upsetting Francis. The backlash from Sinatra, Biaggi, and the Italian-American community grows. Bluhdorn and Lapidus use this unrest to appoint a co-producer to rein in Ruddy. With Evans' support, Ruddy remains the sole producer. Ruddy is unnerved when he witnesses Colombo and his men aggressively intimidate the Staten Island homeowner into allowing the film to use the location. Ruddy convinces Bluhdorn to approve casting Pacino, again going behind Evans' back. Evans is furious and orders the role ofSonny Corleone must be played byJames Caan, to which Ruddy agrees. Unfortunately, Ruddy and Eastman learn that Pacino has signed onto acomedy film forMGM and can no longer participate. | |||||
| 5 | "Kiss the Ring" | Colin Bucksey | Teleplay by : Michael Tolkin Story by : Michael Tolkin & Leslie Greif and Michael Tolkin | May 12, 2022 (2022-5-12) | |
Gallo launches his crusade against Colombo, killing his man Carmine and stealing his truck. Ruddy asks Evans to negotiate with MGM to get Pacino out of his commitment. Finally convinced, Evans complies and makes the deal. Through this, he is tipped off about Gulf & Western potentially selling Paramount. Biaggi continues to cause issues for the production, having the filming permits pulled for their locations. Colombo, meeting with the congressman in regards to theFBI raiding him, gets the permits reinstated. The budget, despite the cast working for scale and leveraging incentives, is still over the $4 million price, so Ruddy and Coppola meet with Bluhdorn and get the budget increased to $6 million. To mark the beginning of production, the cast are assembled for a dinner where they stage a performance to showcase their characters. Lapidus confirms to Evans that Paramount is being considered for sale. Colombo summons Ruddy to an IARCL event endorsing Biaggi for re-election and blindsides Ruddy by announcing the League and Gulf & Western reached a deal for the earnings from the premiere of the film to be donated to League hospitals. | |||||
| 6 | "A Stand Up Guy" | Colin Bucksey | Nikki Toscano | May 19, 2022 (2022-5-19) | |
The news of Gulf & Western working with Colombo reaches Bluhdorn and Evans, prompting Bluhdorn to fast track offloading Paramount and firing Ruddy from the film. McCartt, despite being disrespected by Ruddy, goes to Colombo to tell him about the firing. He immediately moves to cause trouble for the production as a means to have Ruddy reinstated. While meeting to vote on selling Paramount on a discount to a Texan investor, Evans interrupts and give a speech to have them reconsider. It is decided they will not sell Paramount after Bluhdorn changes his mind. Coppola informs Bluhdorn about the mafia interference and Ruddy is rehired, allowing him to return and witness the completion of the first day of production. In response to Gallo, Colombo orders an attack against him andNicky Barnes. | |||||
| 7 | "Mr. Producer" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Kevin J. Hynes | May 26, 2022 (2022-5-26) | |
Lapidus continues to raise problems with the production, working to have Pacino fired from the film and conspiring with Paramount executive Jack Ballard and film editorAram Avakian to deliver unfinished dailies to Bluhdorn to get Coppola fired too. On set, Coppola has creative conflicts with cinematographerGordon Willis over the lighting, the prop horse head is too fake looking to use and due to the death of the initial actor hired, one of Colombo's menLenny Montana is cast to playLuca Brasi. Ruddy, seeing that dailies are being produced to Bluhdorn without his knowledge, makes it so he and Coppola approve their screening. To convince Bluhdorn about Pacino's acting ability, they bring him to set for the filming of the restaurant murder scene, which greatly impresses him. McCartt facilitates getting a real dead horse's head for the production and once Ruddy learns it is Ballard and Avakian leaking dailies, he has them fired from the film. Ruddy bonds more with Colombo, and is stunned upon witnessing Colombo be shot at a League rally by one of Gallo's men, Gallo receiving the blessing for the hit fromCarlo Gambino. Evans' marriage toAli MacGraw comes to an end. | |||||
| 8 | "Crossing That Line" | Gwyneth Horder-Payton | Russell Rothberg | June 2, 2022 (2022-6-2) | |
With Colombo in the hospital, Gallo moves to dissolve the League and to assume control over the film. An incident during filming whereGianni Russo actually hitTalia Shire prompts Ruddy to have Caan beat him up for real during filming of a scene. Ruddy makes several shifts to the budget to accommodate filming inSicily, but when Gallo accosts Ruddy in his hotel room and strongarms him for money, the filming is again put in jeopardy. Having become distracted in his work and constantly absent from the production, Evans is confronted by Ruddy during the New York filming wrap party, and Evans makes a drunken scene in front of Bluhdorn. Before Ruddy decides to give in to his demands, he learns that Gallo was shot to death at his birthday dinner in retaliation for his attack on Colombo. | |||||
| 9 | "It's Who We Are" | Adam Arkin | Nikki Toscano & Mona Mira | June 9, 2022 (2022-6-9) | |
The crew arrives in Italy, travelling to the town ofCorleone to film. However Ruddy hurries them out once realizing he would have to work with the Italian mafia, with the crew relocating toForza d'Agrò. Evans continues to deteriorate and Bluhdorn sends Lapidus to assume his duties at Paramount. Upon learning this, Ruddy returns and convinces Bluhdorn to let him talk to Evans. After several attempts, Ruddy enters his home through a window and has a heart-to-heart conversation with Evans, but this does not sway him. Lapidus makes numerous changes to the studio's slate and instructs Coppola to cut 30 minutes from the film. Bluhdorn arrives in Los Angeles to officially remove Evans, but during a marketing meeting, Evans returns. Bluhdorn still offers Lapidus the chance to take over but Lapidus concedes Evans should remain, with Evans allowing the film to retain the cut 30 minutes. McCartt reveals to Ruddy she wants to leave to become a talent agent. Ruddy arranges for a screening of the film for the members of Colombo's crew and visits Colombo in the hospital. | |||||
| 10 | "Brains and Balls" | Adam Arkin | Nikki Toscano & Russell Rothberg & Michael Tolkin | June 16, 2022 (2022-6-16) | |
With the film debuting in March 1972 following the success ofCabaret, Lapidus proposes that theyblock book opening weekend. Evans meets with MacGraw, hoping to rekindle their marriage, but she serves him with divorce papers. MacGraw does join Evans for the premiere. Ruddy, seeking his next project, writes a script forThe Longest Yard and getsBurt Reynolds to sign on. But Ruddy cannot get Evans to hear his pitch, as Evans wants him to concentrate onThe Godfather sequel.The Godfather is a critical and commercial success, accumulating multiple nominations at theAcademy Awards. Evans brokers a deal with Bluhdorn to become Executive Vice President of Production to also produce films, while Ruddy invests in McCartt's talent agency. WithThe Godfather winningBest Picture andThe Godfather Part II in development, Ruddy tells Evans he will not participate onPart II to getThe Longest Yard made, which Evans allows. | |||||
The project was announced in September 2020 to air onParamount+, and for the story to be described from the perspective of producerAlbert S. Ruddy.[4]Armie Hammer was cast to play him in December 2020,[5][6] but dropped out the following month; he was replaced byMiles Teller in May 2021.[7] In April 2021,Dexter Fletcher was hired to direct several episodes.[8][9]Matthew Goode,Giovanni Ribisi,Colin Hanks,Dan Fogler andJuno Temple joined the production in June,[10][11][12] and in July,Burn Gorman joined asCharles Bludhorn.Justin Chambers has a recurring role asMarlon Brando.[13][14] In October,Eric Balfour,Michael Gandolfini and Zack Schor joined the cast, with Balfour playing production designerDean Tavoularis.[15][16]
Filming for the series began in July 2021 but was paused on July 29 due to a positiveCOVID-19 test.[17] On August 23, 2021, it was reported that plans to film at theChateau Marmont hotel inLos Angeles between August 25 and 27 were scrapped after learning about a labor dispute there.[18] The miniseries was released on April 28, 2022, with the first three episodes of the ten-episode miniseries available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis on Thursdays.[19]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 57% of 54 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "Overstuffed with unnecessary subplots and cloying winks at showbiz history, this is anOffer you can refuse."[20]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 48 out of 100 based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[21]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
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| 2023 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Limited Series | The Offer | Nominated | [22] |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television | Matthew Goode | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television | Juno Temple | Nominated | |||
| Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television | Won | [23] |
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