bwtruitt

If you've taken the time to read about the mafia and/or consumed documentary content on Meyer, you'll love this production. If you're looking for a shoot-em-up mob cliche, take a pass. The producers, writers, and directors clearly weren't shooting for box office smash. This work successfully depicts the struggle Jewish-Americans had at the time, and how a young Meyer Lansky was drawn into the life.

You know...not a movie for knuckle-draggers.

I saw this in the theatres back in 1987 I loved it. I was haunted by the characters, story, and especially the a sweaty scenes (New Orleans in a heat wave).

Excellent cinematography and production design in my opinion, but not for some. I think the drabness (characters, wardrobe, rooms, settings) that give you an almost depression-era feel (actually set in 1955) is one of the brilliant aspects of this film; and I think it's why some folks despise the film.

Personally, I love slow moving films like this with artsy cinematography and attention to detail. However, some viewers don't care about any of that (you know...morons).