Romanzo Criminale (2005)

Recommended

Italy/France/UK

Feature Film

Original Title: Romanzo criminale

Director: Michele Placido

Writers: Giancarlo De Cataldo, Sandro Petraglia, Michele Placido, Stefano Rulli

Cinematographer: Luca Bigazzi

Composer: Paolo Buonvino

Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Kim Rossi Stuart, Pierfrancesco Favino, Claudio Santamaria, Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca, Elio Germano, Anna Mouglalis, Toni Bertorelli, Stefano Fresi, Massimo Popolizio, Francesco Venditti

Adapted from De Cataldo’s fact-based novel, this epic gangster film – following the ups and downs of a group of dirt-poor childhood friends, who grew-up together to become one of Rome’s most violent criminal gangs, dealing in drugs, prostitution, and vengeance – proves, despite its breakneck pacing and the odd cliché, to be a thoroughly entertaining if not particularly fresh addition to the genre. Iain.Stott