Gotti

While biopics are all too common for Hollywood fodder, ones based on Mafia leaders or Mafia situations are that much more commonplace. We've seen many through the years, "Casino", "The Godfather", "The Godfather Part 2", "The Departed", and the like. We've even seen parodies on these films: "The Freshman", "The Family", so it was inevitable to bring the mob leader, "Gotti" to the big screen.

 

This story chronicles infamous crime boss John Gotti's (John Travolta) rise to become the "Teflon Don" of the Gambino Crime Family in New York City. Spanning three decades and recounted by his son John Jr. (Spencer Rocco Lofranco), this examines Gotti's tumultuous life as he and his wife Victoria (Kelly Preston) attempt to hold the family together amongst tragedy and multiple prison sentences.

Nearing his death from cancer in 2002, Gotti is ultimately confronted by his son John Jr. while in prison serving a life sentence to tell his father that he wants to cop a plea in order to save his family and the Gotti name only for John Sr. to attempt to convince him not to do it through a series of flashbacks.

 

Others to round out the cast are Stacy Keach as Neil Dellacroce, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Angelo Ruggiero, Chris Mulkey as Frank DiCicco, Leo Rossi as Bobby Boriello, Patrick Borriello as Johnny boy Ruggiero, Megan Leonard as Kim Gotti, Chris Kerson as Willie Boy Johnson and William DeMeo as Sammy Gravano.

 

This was grittily and extremely well directed by Kevin Connolly ("Gardener of Eden" '07, "Dear Eleanor" '16) plus TV and a short. Truly, if given the right project and role, Travolta can shine, however this definitely had this filmmaker's stamp on it. Considering Connolly's minimal experience, his future productions should certainly pack a wallop. This was adequately written by Lem Dobbs ("Hider in the House" '89, "The Hard Way" '91, "The Score" '01, "Haywire" '11, "The Company You Keep" '12) plus TV and Leo Rossi ("We're Talkin' Serious Money" '92, "Mafioso: The Father, The Son" '01) plus tons of acting. This is where the film misses a bit. As the film unfolds, we are shown different situations of the characters, however, as they are conveyed. there are a bit too many places of meandering and jumpiness. The flow of the film wasn't as strong as it could've or should've been. Where this movie shines is that of the performance of Travolta as Gotti and his real-life wife, Preston as Gotti's wife Victoria. Unless there are other performances to knock Travolta off the list, I can possibly see Travolta being nominated come Oscar time. He truly did his homework of his subject and it showed in spades!

 

If biopics and especially Mafia films are your kind of film, this is one you will want to see and will not soon forget. The ensemble cast was also solid and believable as his family and nemesis'. Of all the character studies Hollywood has produced through the years, this is an eye-opener.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                       Rated: R                                        104mins.