Casting Questions: Connery Too Old? Sofia Coppola Bum-Rapped?

I am glad to see that “The Godfather Part III” is surviving all the hype to get its share of popularity and critical acclaim. Despite its problems, it has a passion and moral vision that put to shame most movies made since “Part II.”

What I can’t understand is the almost universal condemnation of Coppola’s casting of his daughter. Sofia Coppola is lovely and brings to her role an innocence and charm that are essential to the movie’s emotional effect.

Much criticism seems to be prompted by the usual indignation over nepotism. Anjelica Huston survived a similarly undeserved humiliation over her appearance in her father’s (John Huston) excellent “A Walk With Love and Death” to prove herself a superb and respected actress.

Sofia Coppola’s drubbing has been glaringly publicized, though, and undoubtedly was painful, so it would be hard to blame her if she never set foot before a camera again.

There also seems to be a misunderstanding about what constitutes good acting. A movie director uses actors not primarily for their technical skills but for inherent qualities that are important for the movie. In the best collaborations (like Ingrid Bergman’s with Rossellini), an actor will forgo “acting” and simply allow the director’s camera to find what it needs.

This is what the Coppolas pere et fille have accomplished, with courageous and deeply moving results.

GARY J. DODSON

Los Angeles