I love living in NJ now since I am close to a theater that specializes in independent and art films. This weekend I had the chance to see Gomorra directed by Matteo Garrone and brought to US theaters thanks to IFC Films and Martin Scorsese. This film gives the audience a look at the gritty underbelly of the Italian mob. This is definitely not the same type of mob drama as shown in other Scorsese films like GoodFellas and Casino. The film is based on a book by a journalist that has to literally watch out for his life now only sleeping in one place for a few nights at a time for fear the mob family will kill him.

Gomorra follows the lives of five individuals and how the Camorra, the Italian mob family, has been melded into their lives. I particularly could relate to the two hot heads Marco and Ciro who idolize the movie Scarface and raise hell in their town by pulling robberies. No, I don’t moonlight as a criminal, I also love Scarface as the classic film it is. The film is very nicely woven together with other stories about Toto a young boy who looks up to the mob. Pasquale, a high fashion tailor, who offends the mob. Roberto a young man who works with a shady boss who illegally dumps waste in quarrys with mob run bosses. Finally, there is Don Ciro the money delivery man who is caught between warring mob families. These rich characters weave a rich tapestry giving the audience a feeling of what it is like to be a criminal or be affected by crime.

It has a documentary style and looks like much of it was shot with a hand held movie camera. I think that adds to the sense that you are right there in the action. There is a lot of violence in this film and makes you think twice about a life of crime. I think that if you enjoy foreign independent films and want a true look at crime without getting shot. For more information about this movie check out IMDB.