I'll be very frank about this. I think all those who have criticized Sophia couldn't act their way out of a paper bag.
True, but they're not trying out for a movie. Just because you criticize someone's bad performence, doesn't mean you have to be better than them to know that they suck. After so many movies and comparisons, you can set in your mind the norms of good and bad acting. Therefore how I act, and how someone else acts is entirely different. I've watched all kinds of movies, and despite the fact I may not be the greatest actor, I can still distinguish the difference between what's good, and what's crap. Besides, if I know that I'm a bad actor, I won't star in movies.
In all the criticisms about Sophia, never has anyone actually cited one scene let alone several scenes to back up their criticism. Why don't you give it a try?
I believe a few scenes have been cited; one being her death scene. She was dispassionate and made her death unbelievable. Hell, if it wasn't for Pacino's performence, the fact that she died probably would never hit some viewers until the second or third viewing. I think over all, in part III, Sofia Coppola's just a cheesy actress. I can site almost any scene she's in to back up these facts, including, "I love you, cuz", "I'll give you a hint, he's Italian", etc. So, my citing for determing Sofia's performence: GFIII. If only her character would have died earlier in the movie.
