Mafioso: The Father, the Son

This far from particularly anything mafia movie is not worth bothering with. Its the story of two generations of gangsters in Philadelphia doing what gangsters do.

Its loaded with low level character actors, most of whom have made their careers playing these sort of roles. While they may be fine in support, here, as leads, they look more than a bit uncertain.

The real problem with this is the direction and the script which are on the bad TV movie level. I was laughing at it as the opening court room scene began. As the scene went on the film made me squirm more and more. This wasn't real, it was someones confused TV recollection of reality

Don't watch this. It has moments of okayness, but mostly its just bad gangster dress up.

2 out of 10

The earlier comments bring me to question if the posters watched the same movie as I did, or if they are affiliated with the producers in any way. 8/10? my god...

I have used IMDb for years, and I always check the user reviews for a movie before I see it, and the information I find here - along with the trailers - generally decides whether or not I go see a movie or find another one. Until seeing this movie, I have never felt the compulsion to write a review, or create an IMDb account for that purpose. The fact that i *have* created an account for the sole purpose of writing this review should tell you something.

Previous reviewers have likened this to the Sopranos. If this were the first episode of the Sopranos, no one would have watched the second. The show would have been cancelled. It is plain to see that Mafioso draws on the Sopranos heavily as an influence, but it lacks the suspense, unpredictability, character development, gritty violence and realism that makes the Sopranos so popular.

The acting, editing, camera-work, score, and even the story remind me of daytime soaps like 'Days of our Lives'. If you *like* daytime soaps, then this is the movie for you. If you are revolted by the horrific acting, amateurish camera-work and editing, and totally predictable stories of daytime soaps then you will definitely want to avoid this movie. Words cannot describe how bad the acting is.. the only remotely convincing actor was the old Don, and he doesn't have much screen time.

While some may think I am being harsh, and that low budget movies such as this deserve a chance, I disagree. Low quality knock-offs without much thought put into them, and not a single convincing acting performance, deserve honest criticism - to discourage more of their kind from being made. The cast and crew need to sit down and watch a few more episodes of the Sopranos, and take note of how it is shot, how the plot progresses, and how convincingly the actors perform. There is more to a Mafia movie than just slapping overweight guys with Italian accents into leather jackets and sitting them down in coffee shops.

To me, a 10/10 is an exceptional movie - one other movies can only aspire to. a 5/10 is borderline: meaning it was not a waste of time, but nor was it time well spent. I give this movie a 1/10.

Sure, they've been a lot of bad movies that are perfect examples on how not to make one that's so damn bad, but "Mafioso: The Father, The Son", a dog's mess on the sidewalk that pathetically fails at being on par with the Godfather films and "The Sopranos", does a more than obvious job. Here are nine "don't" rules:

1) Don't give your film a bad title. 2) Don't have one of your film's co-writers act as the main character if he can't look awake and traditionally handsome, let alone act. Put a REAL gun in his mouth, and he'll get the message. 3) Don't create a mute supporting character and make him so damn uninteresting, except being fat and able to handle kung-fu combatants. 4) Don't hire good supporting actors to act in a crap film. 5) Don't have your actors, if you're working on a Mafia drama, emote every Italian stereotype in the bigot book and dehumanize your characters into caricatures. 6) Don't advertise your film being scored by an Oscar-winning music composer, when you don't. 7) Don't have a voice-over at the film's start and end when the story's happening in the present. 8) Don't have a bad film editor. 9) Don't "wide-screen" something that looks like a third-rate daytime soap opera.

If you're interested in the story of a mobster's son taking over the "family business", when "the Goddaddy" is killed, you're better off making the film yourself, if you follow the aforementioned rules. Avoid "Mafioso" like every STDs in existence, capeech?

I saw this movie at a screening and was thoroughly impressed. I was able to get comfortable with the characters very easily; the story grabbed and held my attention throughout. This is a very well put-together film. The cast was easy to warm up to, plenty of familiar faces from other films and their roles played out smoothly. The character of "Frank" (who I was not very familiar with) was played excellently and I can see him in future films for sure.

Being from the Philadelphia area, I found it easy to get into the movie and being familiar with the locations made it all the more enjoyable.

If you are into "mafia" type movies (or even if you're not), this is one movie that is worth seeing.

Movie had a lot going for it. The actors were well cast especially Sal M, (the actor playing Frankie) The characters were lovable and well developed. My girlfriend actually got sad when certain characters were harmed. There was some good humor as well.

The plot was interesting and was solid throughout the movie. There was violence like most mob movies, though I have to say I thought this movie used it better than most. The action itself was interesting and well choreographed for the most part.

I liked the ending and the music was good too. Best mob movie I've seen in a long while.