Angela
First Look Pictures
NEW YORK -- The public's seemingly insatiable thirst for Mafia-themed stories should be further satisfied by this Italian-made effort, the true story of a mob boss' adulterous wife.
While lacking the overt melodramatics or violence that would push it further toward mainstream success, the well-made "Angela" is a quietly satisfying film on its own terms. Showcased at the New Directors/New Films festival, it is due for a commercial release this year.
Set in the mid-1980s, the film concerns Angela (Donatella Finochiarro), the beautiful wife of an older Palermo don, Saro (Mario Pupella). Far from the usual trophy wife, Angela does her part to pitch in for her husband's business, running a shoe store that serves as a front for his drug dealing. Whether stuffing shoes with cocaine, collecting debts or making deliveries, Angela is a trouper.
Unfortunately, her faithfulness is tested by the arrival of Masino Andrea Di Stefano), a predictably hunky young hoodlum who shows up to work for Saro. It isn't long after smoldering glances have been exchanged that Andrea and Massino wind up in the midst of a torrid affair, one that soon also becomes known to the investigators who have Saro under surveillance. Indeed, it's Andrea's extramarital activities that provide the cops with the means to finally take Saro down.
Although lacking visceral excitement or particularly imaginative storytelling, "Angela" is ultimately an involving tale, thanks to our knowledge that the story is true (much of it was shot on the actual locations where the events took place) and to Finochiarro's restrained performance in the title role.
The actress, making her big-screen debut, thankfully avoids histrionics, making Angela both credible and sympathetic, and she delineates the character's gradual loss of reserve with a precision and an almost mournful soulfulness that is ultimately quite moving.
She's well-matched by the male leads, particularly Mario Pupella, who well conveys the feelings of betrayal and hurt underlying Saro's gangster bravado.
NEW YORK -- The public's seemingly insatiable thirst for Mafia-themed stories should be further satisfied by this Italian-made effort, the true story of a mob boss' adulterous wife.
While lacking the overt melodramatics or violence that would push it further toward mainstream success, the well-made "Angela" is a quietly satisfying film on its own terms. Showcased at the New Directors/New Films festival, it is due for a commercial release this year.
Set in the mid-1980s, the film concerns Angela (Donatella Finochiarro), the beautiful wife of an older Palermo don, Saro (Mario Pupella). Far from the usual trophy wife, Angela does her part to pitch in for her husband's business, running a shoe store that serves as a front for his drug dealing. Whether stuffing shoes with cocaine, collecting debts or making deliveries, Angela is a trouper.
Unfortunately, her faithfulness is tested by the arrival of Masino Andrea Di Stefano), a predictably hunky young hoodlum who shows up to work for Saro. It isn't long after smoldering glances have been exchanged that Andrea and Massino wind up in the midst of a torrid affair, one that soon also becomes known to the investigators who have Saro under surveillance. Indeed, it's Andrea's extramarital activities that provide the cops with the means to finally take Saro down.
Although lacking visceral excitement or particularly imaginative storytelling, "Angela" is ultimately an involving tale, thanks to our knowledge that the story is true (much of it was shot on the actual locations where the events took place) and to Finochiarro's restrained performance in the title role.
The actress, making her big-screen debut, thankfully avoids histrionics, making Angela both credible and sympathetic, and she delineates the character's gradual loss of reserve with a precision and an almost mournful soulfulness that is ultimately quite moving.
She's well-matched by the male leads, particularly Mario Pupella, who well conveys the feelings of betrayal and hurt underlying Saro's gangster bravado.
- 4/16/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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