Sicily might be the ancestral home of La Cosa Nostra, but it's American cinema that's created the definitive movie depictions of Mafia life. Consequently, this blistering new Italian crime drama is a particularly welcome addition to a well-mined genre. Based on Giancarlo de Cataldo's fact-based bestseller, Romanzo Criminale marries the smart-mouthed camaraderie of GoodFellas with the epic violence of The Godfather, to deliver one of the year's most incendiary features.
Not since 1993's La Scorta has Italy grabbed its own heritage by the throat and explored gangster turf wars with such gritty realism. Admittedly, there are traces of Scorsese in every handsomely shot frame, but the flick still has a punk-rock vigour and vicious intensity all of its own. Part of this is down to the powerful performances, as three childhood friends come together as adults in 70s and 80s Rome to brutally conquer the ruthless world of organised crime.
Of course, as in reality, corruption, love and betrayal invariably rip apart an empire built on blood and suffering. Yet although wrongdoing brings an expected orgy of destruction, there are enough unforeseen moments and inventive stylistic twists to keep audiences on their toes. Even the apparently clichéd prostitute moll (Anna Mouglalis) is far ballsier than your standard celluloid bad girl, while the meticulous period detail and energetic soundtrack add to the overall buoyancy.
*Out November 3
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