Mafiosa

With all the terrible shows that are coming out on the networks, you would think the TV execs would be smart enough to grab something like this.

Brooke Lewis is perfectly cast as the lead character. In spite of the fact that they couldn't make full use of the production value because they only had a small TV pilot budget, she still manages to shine.

If the networks could have been involved, the producers could have made a more elaborate production with a bigger budget. To add to their obstacles, they have no names involved but in spite of those hurdles, they made a terrific show! The clever part of the script is casting Brooke Lewis and Bobby Costanzo as a father and daughter of a mob family that doesn't have to go out and kill and maim anyone to survive . Costanzo and the others just continue to fumble their way along, trying to find a way to keep their heads above water -- before their organization, or what's left of it, sinks like a rock!! Brooke very subtly maintains control of her father throughout and with her brains (she went to Harvard -- Harvard Beauty School, that is) she manages to help this family survive.

An added bonus is seeing Brooke's talent and beauty which explains how she influences the members of the family. See this film and you will understand why she has impressed me so much.

I found this quite entertaining.

It was shot well and the characters were funny without trying too hard.

This should definitely have a place on a cable network.

It is superior to dozens of shows that are wasting time and space.

The two main actors, Bobby Constanzo and Johnny Williams are excellent--I can tell they have been in the business a long time.

Kudos to the writers, cast and crew. They should be proud of this show.

I thought the festival audience really enjoyed it.

I can't wait to see it in HD--that will be cool.

Thanks, RC

There are so many bad programs out there right now that I hesitate to turn the channel on my television. Especially bad are the many reality shows that clog the airwaves every night. It was refreshing to watch something a little different. I saw this in Boston and the quality of the film was pretty bad but I learned later that it was due to the screening equipment rather than the film itself.

I'm not a critic so I watch a program strictly for the entertainment value. Nothing else. If there is is a car that wasn't supposed to be in the shot or a line that didn't work, who cares? I certainly don't. I thought this film was funny and I laughed for much of the show so that's about all I can expect from a comedy.

So, if I were a critic, I would give it a "Thumbs Up". Definitely worth watching.

I happened to see the pilot episode of this series and I loved it. I don't know why they didn't shoot any additional episodes but if they did, I couldn't find any of them on any of the channels.. The daughter of the "Don" is played by Brooke Lewis, who wants to run the mob because her father is getting a little fuzzy in the head and seems to be getting more and more forgetful.

However, her father's reply is, "No woman is going to be the the head of my mob, not as long as there is a hair on my head" -- which shouldn't have been too long considering the fact that he hardly has any follicles left growing between his ears. Very clever writing by Gordon who also produced the series. The daughter is determined to figure out a way to wriggle her way into running the mob so when they start interviewing prospects for a replacement, she comes up with a hilarious idea for a candidate as the mob's new leader. But this new mob boss isn't exactly what she/he seems to be.

This was a presentation pilot which had its world premiere at the Boston International Film Festival. The acting was excellent and the film was very funny. The audience laughed throughout the entire screening. Afterwards, the producer was asked to come down and discuss the film with the audience. While it's true that the quality wasn't that good, he explained that it was shot in HD but it lost something in the transfer for the screening.

The premise was a deftly executed by two veteran actors Johnny (Roast Beef) Williams and Bobby Constanzo ("Goodfellas", "Analyze This" "Forget Paris", etc.). Brooke Lewis was excellent in her debut performance as the daughter of the mob boss (Costanzo) who wanted to take over as head of the family. Costanzo was hilarious as the delusional boss of this dysfunctional family.

All in all, it was a wonderful presentation for a low-budget pilot. I read in the trades where they are talking to several television channels about the pilot so I guess I'm not the only one who thinks this is a winning premise. I'm looking forward to seeing this series on the small screen in the near future.