I can't say I was particularly impressed with Andrew Bergman's The Freshman. Bergman previously showed immense comedic promise with his screenplay work on Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, but The Freshman just doesn't have what it takes.

Matthew Broderick stars as Clark Kellogg, an incoming freshman at the NYU film school. Upon his arrival in New York, Clark is promptly robbed of all his possessions by a thief named Vic (Bruno Kirby). This poses a big problem for Clark; he has no money and no clothes and an egotistical professor who insists his students purchase each and every one of his books (at a cost upwards of $700).

While in the aforementioned professor's office explaining just why he will be unable to purchase the required reading, Clark notices Vic walking down the street. Clark excuses himself, climbs out the window, and begins pursuing Vic down the street. After catching up to Vic, Clark demands his money and possessions back. The money, however, Vic has gambled away at the track. Clark threatens to go to the police, but Vic offers him a job with good money working for his uncle in order to keep himself out of jail.

The uncle is Carmine Sabatini, a powerful importer played by Marlon Brando. The character is essentially the same one that Brando played in The Godfather. The film makes light of the fact that Sabatini is the same character as Corleone. There are many references to The Godfather and multiple characters mention the resemblance between Sabatini and Corleone.

Sabatini offers Clark a job picking up packages at the airport and delivering them to their destination. The job pays $1,000 for two days of work, and this large amount of money makes Clark nervous that the job is not entirely legal. Sabatini assures him that everything is on the level, and Clark reluctantly accepts.