Gotti (film)

Gotti
Directed by Robert Harmon
Produced by David Coatsworth
Written by Steve Shagan
Starring
Music by Mark Isham
Cinematography Alar Kivilo
Edited by Zach Staenberg
Distributed by HBO
Release date
  • August 17, 1996 (1996-08-17)
Running time
 116 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Gotti: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Mafia Don is a 1996 HBO original crime drama film made for television directed by Robert Harmon. The film stars Armand Assante in the title role as infamous Gambino crime family boss John Gotti, William Forsythe, and Anthony Quinn. Assante won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special for his performance. Assante also received a Golden Globe nomination the same year.

Plot

The film starts In 1973 in New York, and ends in 1992, with Gotti's imprisonment. Gotti's association with three mobsters is also highlighted in the film: a father-son like relationship with family underboss Aniello "Mr. Neil" Dellacroce, his deep but rocky friendship with Gotti crew member and longtime friend Angelo Ruggiero, and the respect and ultimate frustration that he felt for the man who became his underboss, Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano. The film details Gotti's rise within the Gambino crime family and his ranks from soldier, then captain (or capo), and finally, boss. The final title was achieved through the dramatic murder in public of Gambino family boss Paul Castellano in 1985. Following the murder of Castellano, the film concentrates on the legal trials of John Gotti: one for assault and two for racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statutes. Gotti's famous personality, trial acquittals, and media attention are all dramatized. The film ends with Gotti's conviction and sentencing to life imprisonment at Marion Federal Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, because Gravano turns state's evidence and agrees to testify against Gotti. The film is primarily based on the columns of reporter Jerry Capeci, who also wrote the novel that documented Gotti's rise and fall inside the Gambino crime family, and served as executive producer of the film which was based on his novel.

Main cast

Production

Shooting took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] Assante put on 35 pounds to play Gotti.[2]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 60% of five surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 5.2/10.[3] Jeremy Girard of Variety called it "a fairly standard-issue gangster flick" that is problematic for its matter-of-fact presentation.[4] Caryn James of The New York Times criticized its "docudrama syndrome", in which biographical dramas adhere closely to the historical record to prevent lawsuits despite the need for more characterization.[5] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of the better mob movies of the decade, and surely the best gangster portrait ever made primarily for television".[6] TV Guide rated it 2/5 stars and described it as too detailed for casual viewers and too inaccurate for enthusiasts.[7]

Awards

Organization Award For Result Ref
Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Television Film Robert Harmon Nominated [8]
Golden Globes Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Armand Assante Nominated [9]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Anthony Quinn
Best Miniseries or Television Film Gotti
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Alar Kivilo Nominated [10]
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Robert Harmon
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Steve Shagan
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special Ezra Dweck, Robert W. Glass, David Lee, Dan Wallin
Outstanding Television Movie David Coatsworth, Garry Lucchesi, Robert McMinn
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Armand Assante Won
Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single Camera Production Zach Staenberg Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Armand Assante Nominated [11]

References

  1. ↑ Blumenthal, Ralph (1996-08-11). "Best-Dressed Don Inspires a Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  2. ↑ Randle, Nancy Jalasca (1996-08-16). "The Muscle Behind 'Gotti'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  3. ↑ "Gotti (1996)". Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  4. ↑ Gerard, Jeremy (1996-08-12). "Review: 'Gotti'". Variety. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  5. ↑ James, Caryn (1996-08-17). "Making and Unmaking Of a Made Man: Gotti". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  6. ↑ Rosenberg, Howard (1996-08-17). "Sincerely Sinister". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  7. ↑ "Gotti". TV Guide. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  8. ↑ Snow, Shauna (1997-02-06). "Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press.". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  9. ↑ "Gotti | Golden Globe". Golden Globe Award. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  10. ↑ "Gotti". Primetime Emmy Award. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  11. ↑ "The 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
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