Wasted Talent

Why would this fellow who was warned multiple times, who had the foundation for success in his hands, who listened to two very accomplished actors (yes I mean Mr. Palminteri too not just Mr. De niro) working the entire time with him on the film and this little weasel decides I am going to be a big fat loser who plays with guns and hangs with cop killers and steals someone's stuff for drug money? I can understand why Mr. Palminteri didn't want anything from you, loser. You are a deceitful selfish man and sure you can play the part of a naive young man growing as a person but while you were good onscreen not a damn thing in that movie even what you read in your narration meant anything to you, not one thing. Brother, where is your loyalty?

The description of this documentary claims it is examining temptations and struggles of young celebrities on the rise to fame. Um. It focuses on actor Lillo Brancato exclusively. In a nutshell, it mostly focuses on how he got the part in The Bronx Tale, his drug addiction which led to a cop being murdered and how still today New York cops still hate him. Which is fine because it was an interesting story but after watching the one hour and six minute documentary I googled the story and found out he went to prison for 8 1/2 years and I'm not sure they even told us that part. Maybe it was passively mentioned so I didn't even realize it. Even though I found the documentary interesting and I enjoyed watching it I'm still not entirely sure what it's supposed to be about. Kind of jumped all over the place and just gave me bits and pieces of random information.

I loved A Bronx Tale and thought this documentary might be one-sided in favor of Lillo Brancato. However, the director did an excellent job presenting both perspectives, including insights from those close to Lillo and the NYPD officers involved in the tragic incident. I highly recommend this documentary.

It's heartbreaking to see such talent go to waste. Lillo's story is a tragic one, but it's well worth watching. It's a powerful reminder of life's unpredictability and the consequences of our choices. Watch it to believe it! The depth of storytelling truly captivates and leaves a lasting impact.

Before watching this documentary if anyone would have asked me who Lillo Brancato is I wouldn't be able to answer. Then again I'm not really good in remembering names, and I'm absolutely not interested in celebrity gossip and sorts. But when I saw his face on the screen I remembered him from A Bronx Tale and The Sopranos. But that's about it, never heared about that story where a cop died, couldn't care less if I have to be honest. That aside, this documentary is mostly about Lillo Brancato, about how he became an actor, how he got into drugs and how that lead to that crime. I'm not going to say that there were no interesting parts in this documentary as there were plenty but hearing Lillo Brancato pretending God saved him and that kind of nonsense just had the opposite effect of what I think of this persona now. First I wished he would start acting again, now I couldn't care less if I saw his religious face again on a big screen. He's clearly a bit mentally ill.

What a mess. This overall story is a mess. A complete mess. I am not here to share my opinion on whether or not he is guilty or not guilty. I would rather review the documentary overall. I thought the story could have been laid out better. It bounces around from A Bronx Tale, to heroin usage, and then recovery. It's all extremely odd the way it flows. And then the documentary is centered around a group of friends, so being former addicts themselves, trying to clear the name of the main subject. I think that's where the documentary goes wrong. It's not enough interesting content about the character to really hold the viewers attention.