Mafioso: The Father, the Son

I saw this film at a screening and it can't help but be compared to the Sopranos. The three leading characters of this film are very intriguing, all with an interesting dynamic or relationship. I found that the relationship between the father (John Costanza) and his son (Sal Mazzotta) the most intriguing. Costanzo's softer side is shown when we realize that he just wants to take care of his son and his family, and that he's not in it just for the money, which makes their relationship unique for a Mafia film. As we watch the Mafia family suffer one tragedy after another, we realize this is not just another Mafia movie. Mazzotta and Vito's (Leo Rossi) relationship was also very interesting, particularly in the latter part of the film where their association takes a much uglier turn. Leo Rossi's performance was another one that had me hooked, I guessed early on what was going to happen between them but it didn't dampen the effect on the film for me at all. The acting was very good and unusual characters made this film just as interesting as the Sopranos, which I really am hooked on. I recommend this if you are ready for graphic violence.

Geez, where to start? The casting, perhaps. Well, marginal actors with bad material can a real mess make, and this flick stonk so badly I'm longing for a shower. Rossi, with a writing credit (somehow I see him brainstorming with some no-talent hack real writer), crafts himself a plum role that proves the rule about how that's not a good idea. The actor cast in the lead as Vito, has got to be the ugliest, silly looking wop in Hollywood whose lips hang like a raw wound on a mug that could shatter a mirror. Vito's dad, however, deserves the most thumbs-down for believability. He's about as credible for being a mob boss as Andy Dick.

Next, the direction, the script, and the rest. Bad, and worse. I can only assume that this project launched due to Sopranos' success, and they supposed they could snag a low-budget masterpiece by casting their own buddies and their family with an inkling they could act. Sophia Coppola should have shown SOMEBODY in charge how that can work out.

Keep hunting if you want to watch a mafia movie with something to offer. This is a waste of time.

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.

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.

It was made in my hometown Philly, that's the only reason I watched it. That and I'm a big fan of cops & wops flicks. This one left way too much to be desired with respect to the overall acting quality, and to hint that it could be compared to the Sopranos is ludicrous. It seemed more like a documentary in overall content presentation.

I agree with the pans it has received in the more timely comments that have been posted. For me, it was like going back to the block for a little while, and taking in the scenery. Reading some of the favorable comments it received made me wonder if the writers of same were made an offer they couldn't refuse.