Calibro 9

Set in modern-day Italian mafia underworld, this is an entertaining action movie that weaves through the captivating backdrop of the city of Milan.

As the action unfolds, the filmmaker captures the sights and sounds of everyday Italian activities.

(Particularly nice for those with travel bug during this pandemic)

For those that usually avoid plodding European films, this may be a nice gateway.

MINERVA Pictures from Italy has been building on the great crime films of the 1970s for several years. Of course, this doesn't always work, but it is certainly the right approach. What actually happened to the gangsters who plagued beautiful Milan in the classic MILANO CALIBER 9 (1972)?

It all starts when the well-known Rocco Musco (Michele PLACIDO is great, but EUROPEAN FILM AWARD nominee Mario ADORF in his star role would have been the crowning glory) is released from prison. Then 100 million in mafia money disappears, and Ugo Piazza's son Fernando (Marco BOCCI) gets into serious trouble as the banker in charge. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, at least that's what the mafiosi think. Fernando's mother (finally again: Barbara BOUCHET) also finds herself in the sights of the bad guys. And what La BOUCHET is expected to do in her role here is really CALIBRO 9! A CINECITTA diva of her class certainly doesn't deserve that! Kseniya RAPPOPORT and Alessio BONI can be seen in other roles as Commissario Di Leo. What a beautiful homage to the great director Fernando Di LEO!

Unfortunately, the film doesn't quite live up to the original, but the film is definitely entertaining. And mafia films from Bella Italia simply radiate a certain grandeur!