Fresh Kills

I was lucky enough to catch the premier at the cinequest film festival. I love the idea of a mob movie told from perspective of the women it affects. The anxiety, the danger, the violence. As with the men the idea of not being able to walk away and protecting the family that exposes you to so much trauma and heartache is a powerful study. Visually it's beautiful and captures the era. Great camera work, effects, and costume design. I've never seen the lead in anything else but she makes the movie.... The lack of dialogue she tells a story with her eyes. The sister played by Pamela aldon daughter was dope she was like the female version of Pac in Juice. I guess my only critiques would be the lack of music in the first act, the rushed pacing together to the climax, and how quickly the climactic event got us over tue finish line. I wish In The best part of the film there was more remorse from shown from the father. All in all Jennifer Espisoto did a great job. It was a great first film that I highly recommend.

What a great side of a story that has never been on filmed (well at least that I know of) starts a bit slow, but worth the wait....i grew up in the 70's. My father owned a bar in the combat zone in Boston. I was there weekly. I can understand the "different" life style now that I am an adult.sad times now cause we don't even know our neighbors. I recall walking in the front door of any neighbors house to grab sugar milk bread etc and walking out not even thinking it was an issue. Our dog walked the neighborhood for hours til the school bus came home. Within a 5 mile radius everyone knew all families, kids,pets,extended family members,etc.

Fresh Kills reaches through the established perimeters of a well-known genre to extract a sympathetic, gut-wrenching, and at times abrasive look into the lives of the typically obscured wives and daughters of the mob. Well written, well cast, with convincing production design and on location shooting, Fresh Kills fairly exhales the atmosphere of 1980/1990s Staten Island, NY. First-time writer/director Jennifer Esposito handles the reins with aptitude and steers the narrative in a way that invites the viewer to not only empathize with the women on screen but to relate to the challenges they face in bearing the burden of their predetermined roles. Authentic performances by the cast flesh out the on-screen characters and leave indelible impressions of their existence that won't fade when the credits roll. Fresh Kills is a notable film. Not perfect- but good. Very, very good.

I saw this film on opening night. The audience was comprised of Jennifer's family, friends and film students. All who were told to post glowing reviews online. THE TRUTH: THIS FILM WAS TERRIBLE. Plot was barely there, and what you get is endless stereotypical Italian profanity laced dialogue. And the male and female characters essentially speak in the same manner, as if the writer is using the same voice for all characters. This goes to the inexperience in the writing and directing. 2 hours long, 30 of which could have been cut. This is basically a self-funded student film. Tubi is waiting for you.

The film "Fresh Kills" delves into the criminal underworld of late 1980s Staten Island, with a focus on the women who hold pivotal roles behind the powerful mafia kingpin Joe (Domenick Lambardozzi). Directed by Jennifer Esposito, this award-winning drama unfolds through the perspectives of three women: Francine (Jennifer Esposito): As the devoted yet imperfect matriarch of the Larusso family, Francine's loyalty to the criminal world remains steadfast, even as she grapples with her own imperfections. Connie (Odessa A'zion): The brazen and outspoken daughter unexpectedly becomes entangled in the mafia's affairs. Her role proves essential to the unfolding narrative. The youngest daughter, Rose (Emily Bader), is reserved and discovers her father's criminal ties. Her journey from innocence to awareness becomes a central arc in the film.

As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, "Fresh Kills" weaves a gripping tale of crime, family dynamics, and consequences.