Gotti: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Mafia Don
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Movie Reviews of Gotti: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Mafia Don
Movie Review: Big words like 'parameters' and 'subversive' a staple of mob lexicon
Summary: 4 Stars
This HBO flick is highly recommended for overall quotable value, good laughs, some good acting, and some good laughs.
Was this film written by a Gotti family member? I don't know where to begin. Suffice to say that the film is not nearly the sum of its parts. There are some good scenes, some good acting by Assante as Gotti (why hasn't Assante been in other mob flicks or even on The Sopranos?). Anthony Quinn, who needs subtitles, is not bad as Neil Dellacroce, who dies of that mysterious movie illness where the character gets old and coughs a lot before checking out. And of course, we have any number of Wiseguy Acting Guild members, such as Sopranos actors Frank Vincent, Vincent Pastore, Tony Sirico, and Dominic Chianese. William Forsythe looks nothing like Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano, and they make him the number one vilain in another of Forsythe's 'evil' roles.
Gotti is portrayed as a gangster, yes, but also as some kind of pre-capitalist who spews wisdom about the 'parameters' of La Cosa Nostra, about 'the rules', and importantly, about members of his administration who are 'talking subversive'. He is not pleased with Gravano due to his underboss' greed and to the unacceptable amount of legit money being made. What kind of gangsters are making this much legit money? Gotti rants about libertarian values, rails against the hypocrisy of the government and about white collar crime, and even goes so far as to correct one of his underlings' racial epithets (always loved that one) before he himself launches a few.
As a realistic portrayal of Gotti, it's horrible, there's too much fiction, too many factual errors, utter nonsense being uttered by the characters, etc, etc. But there's just a tremendous amount of quotable material, some great scenes, the requisite mob hits (apparently Paul Castellano was shot 50 times in slow motion) and a fantastic Assante hamming it up. In 1998 a TV movie called Witness To The Mob appeared---an adaptation of Gravano's book 'Underboss'. It's the perfect companion to this movie. While Gravano is pure evil in this movie, in Witness, Gravano moralizes and Gotti is the man at fault. And of course, some of the very same actors appear in both movies, only to die differently (Frank Vincent is shot in the head in this film before being blown up in a car bomb in Witness, his acting range fully explored).
Just can't recommend this one enough. The writers must have been under contract from the mob or perhaps under threat from the mob, but the absurdity is part of the charm.
Movie Review: La Cosa Nostra
Summary: 4 Stars
Based on the rise and fall of mob boss John Gotti, the movie highlights the series of events that took Gotti through the ranks to the top of the Gambino crime family to include the hit on Paul Castellano, his aquittal in several federal indictments, the flamboyant style that captured the attention of the media, and the eventual testimony of "Sammy the Bull" Gravano that brought it all down.
Armand Assanti plays a convincing role and is backed up by a familiar mob type cast (i.e. Goodfellas, Sopranos). Origionally an HBO made for TV movie, its not as commercially popular as Goodfellas or Casino are, but it's in depth look at the actual make up and lifestyle of probably the most notorious crime family make this one unique.
Movie Review: Somewhat disappointing, but it had its moments
Summary: 4 Stars
Being a big fan of mafia and crime movies, I wasn't expecting Goodfellas. But I gave it a shot, and thought it was alright, and not as bad as some reviews said it was. I wish, though, that story of John Gotti could be shown through another film, with a different director, better acting, and (of course) a better portrayal of John Gotti and the Gambino crime family. What I did like about this movie was the ending, the way they showed Sammy testifying against John and Franky. I also liked the speech at the ending by Gotti. Overall, don't expect another Goodfellas, but at least give it a try.Movie Review: Great Biography
Summary: 4 Stars
Whoever said that they DANG NEAR think that that is how Gotti was then they r wrong. You dont become the most respected and powerful boss of the Gambino crime family in this day and age by nickle and dime hustling. Im sure he did 99% of what happened in the movie. This is a great movie about how Gotti became who he was, and how he created the largest coppa regime in the US.Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 4 Stars
For those who enjoy "mob movies" (as I do), this is one of the best. Armand Assante turns in an outstanding performance in the title role, supported by a superb cast, including Anthony Quinn as Gambino family underboss Aniello Dellacroce, Gotti's mob mentor. It is well-scripted, beautifully acted, and highly entertaining. Don't miss it!