Review of Gomorrah (2008) by Waiyen W — 01 Dec 2009

A gripping tell-it-as-it-is look at the varied facets of organised crime in Italy. Nothing about the gun-toting mafia lords but how pervasive organised crime has infiltrated into the society, and woven into the tapestry of everyday life.

Each of the 5 stories provides yet another glimpse: cocky adolescents flushed with crazed ambitions of being powerful mafia lords, an engineer dealing with his boss's corruption in dumping toxic wastes illegally, a gifted tailor who suffered retribution for teaching haute couture sewing to the chinese, a young boy initiated into the 'neighbourhood' gang before he even understood the far-reaching consequences, a gang-employed money carrier who has too much of a conscience. In some way, everyone's life is seen to be touched, even tainted, by the Camorra, no matter how removed they may think they are (eg. landowner and his family who is selling the family's plot for the illegal dumping). Life is pretty shitty for those who live in that world - 'choice' is taken away from them, and life just happens, just unravels, a series of processes that take place oft out of the individual's control (eg. Toto's reluctance to betray Maria, but once inducted into the gang, it was no longer a matter for his decision).

Overall, the movie is quite stark, and very real. No embellishment of violence, sans special theatrical effects - clean, straightforward storytelling. A tad long, although the interweaving of the stories helps to alleviate the drag somewhat but still, ome amount of patience is required for those with short-attention spans!