Lesser Prophets

I was channel surfing the other night, and saw this film as a late "Sunday Night" movie on ABC in NYC. What a cool film! I wonder how this film didn't have a bigger release. I may be a little New York centric, but this was a fun, "caper-ish" movie that while being serious, doesn't take itself too seriously.

This is the type of film I wish there were more of these days, but alas in the days of big budget, effect driven films; it's hard to find adult, character driven dramatic comedies; and this one is worth the watching.

Frank, NYC 4/03

This movie is mainly about three mature men who are bookies partners and Leon (John Turturro),a little slow guy, who gets involved with them to win a lot of money to help a friend who is going through a bad time, but things are going to get complicated.

I didn't like "Lesser Prophets". I think the biggest mistake was giving to much time to the character of Leon, whom i found annoying. I would have given much more time to the three bookies whom I found very entertaining, specially Jerry who is the leader one. In this bad movie the only one who really shines is George DiCenzo's performance as Jerry, he should play in a mafia movie, he would be great.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to watch this movie.

A little violent In places but without any unnecessary gore and with plenty of tongue-In-cheek humour (some a little more direct)this Is an enjoyable little gem which ought to be given more credit than has been the case. The story centers around three Illegal bookies, their partially-retarded dogsbody Leone, a Hard-working, non-corrupt but easy-going and straight-talking cop called Ziggy (and his gambling-debted brother recently deceased via-suicide) and a bullying stepfather(a semi-pro thief on the verge of heist with life-changing Income) who lives with a mother and her pre-teen son In the same building to the previously-mentioned Leone. The Interaction between these central characters forms the basis of the Movie and the way It all ties up Is very good Indeed. It has a bit of everything and that's what makes this film so enjoyable. Three scenes In particular to watch out for (all hilarious) - the dialogue between the Italian guy sat In his car and the gang-leader he Insults, the hanging of Leone from the dock and the three bookies struggling through the streets In chains had me In stitches! I've watched several times and enjoyed the last as much as the first. A good, underrated Movie that I'm sure you, too, will enjoy.

I liked this, although it is far from perfect. It's an ensemble movie, three or four separate story lines that all come together in an ending that is totally wrong, but never mind. I liked Dicenzo and his two illegal bookie cronies, their operation looked real to me, and if John Turturo's character was a bit inconsistent -- one moment a moron, the next just a bit backward -- and if Jimmy Smits' participation (I like Smits and his starring position on the video cover was a selling point) was disappointingly brief, there are enough good things in this to keep it interesting. It's mix of 'real' violence and slapstick is another inconsistency, but there is enough in the dialogue and the performances - DiCenzo is particularly good -- to keep it watchable throughout.

PLOT: Three low-level Bookmakers are looking for a quick fix to get out of some hot water with a local "dick" who is after them to reclaim money that his brother took from him and subsequently lost gambling. The bookies take "a tip" from a sympathetic freak, and all hell breaks loose.

I rented this movie because the cast looked amazing, and it didn't disappoint. The plot line seems at times a bit dis-junct, but even when the story slows down, it opens up room for some brilliant performances. John Turturro is rarely seen at this level....a cross between the "wired / freaky" guy he plays in the Coen Bros films, but here he displays a sympathy that is rarely seen in this kind of character. The bookies are headed off by George DiCenzo, who almost steals the movie....Michael Badaluco (recently on "The Practice") and John Spencer round out the trio. In a scene that makes the film, Jimmy Smits is great in a cameo as a gambler who can't pay. Scott Glenn takes yet another turn as the cop who seeks retribution.

There are few gambling-mafia- type movies that offer a sincerely comical look at the world of low-level wise guys (without avoiding the cliche's that you find in almost every knock off of a Scorsese film) this film manages to pull it off, and is at times very funny in the process.