Director Catherine Hardwicke's film about an American woman who inherits an Italian crime family is lightweight but breezily enjoyable.
When she is invited to Italy to assume the reins of power, Kristin thinks she’s going there only to attend her grandfather’s funeral. She arrives as a typical American tourist, gushing and delighted by everything, and over-compensating for her inability to speak the language by being excessively friendly to everybody. But soon the rival gang is shooting at her, and she doesn’t really have any choice but to stay in Italy and try to make peace.
The movie devises clever ways for Kristin to be wrongly perceived as a rival to be feared, even as we can see that she’s bumbling and harmless. It’s also shrewd in the way it traces Kristin’s evolution from someone afraid of everything to someone afraid of nothing. Without her ever doing anything obviously wicked, she gets an education in how to run a criminal organization.
Monica Bellucci plays her grandfather’s former secretary. She knows the business inside out and becomes, in effect, is Kristin’s consigliere. Bellucci has made a number of Hollywood films, but just as a vehicle for Bellucci, this is one of her best movies. The role of a mafia confidante brings out the playful wit that Bellucci usually reserves for her European films.
For all its relentless lightness, “Mafia Mamma” conveys an implicit idea that’s common in films starring men, and yet rare with regard to women. Call it “Better living through homicide.” Or perhaps, “How succeeding in violent situations can build confidence.” Whatever you call it, the idea is that danger is a crucible for forging character.
On the other side of danger, there’s everything you could ever want — such as an Italian vineyard in Lazio — but you’ll have to walk through fire to get there. With Collette and Hardwicke leading the way, “Mafia Mamma” is practically a female send-up of a traditional male genre.More In Movies & TV
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Mafia Mamma Review: Toni Collette Is Perfect As An Unexpected Mob BossMafiaMamma Review: Toni Collette Is Perfect As An Unexpected Mob Boss
Weiterlesen »
In Mafia Mamma, Toni Collette Tries Doing Crimes But Can't Get Past MuggingToni Collette pioneers a new acting technique in Mafia Mamma: resting mugging face. rockmarooned's review of this gangster girlboss tragedy:
Weiterlesen »
From daiquiris to margaritas, how to make classic cocktails for spring and summer entertainingThe arrival of spring means summer entertaining season isn't far behind, which is an excellent excuse for a home bartending refresher.
Weiterlesen »
‘Super Mario Bros.’ Has Biggest Opening For Animated Movie EverSoooo that’s pretty good.
Weiterlesen »
What’s a good hostess gift? Who, if anyone, can request a song at a wedding? Celebration-related questions, answered: Ask cleveland.comEntertaining, or being entertained, comes with its own vast set of etiquette rules and standards. We could have answered many more questions on the topic, but here are the ones in which our reporters had strong opinions.
Weiterlesen »
‘Renfield,’ ‘Mafia Mamma’ top the list of films opening this week'Quasi,' 'The Pope's Exorcist' and 'Waco: The Aftermath' are also landing on our screens.
Weiterlesen »