Review of Gomorrah (2008) by Derek A — 06 Jan 2010

I had high expectations for this mob movie since it was labeled as a film that is greater than mob masterpiece's such as Goodfellas and Scarface. Haha, yeah, don't believe that load of crap! Also intriguing about this film was that it is based on facts, it's a pseudo contemporary mob story based on writing's by Roberto Saviano about the Italian criminal underbelly.

Not only that, but the director Matteo Garrone had to be placed under protection for even making this film, and the original author is still in hiding! That's serious business....Regardless, Gomorrah is a gangster film that follows many storylines at once.

That seems to be the central problem: the audience is effortlessly introduced to so many characters with such confusing names that it's really hard to connect with any of them. This film is not flashy like a typical gangster film that we're accustomed to (like Goodfellas or Scarface), but it is very real.

The violence is harrowing, and even more appalling because it's based off fact. However, the stories really don't go any where, and they serve no purpose other than to show that these crimes do exist.

I really didn't feel bad for many of the victims, especially the two punk kids.In essence, Gomorrah was boring as hell, and completely unengaging. Most of the film is pointless and it builds an eerie sense of dread and anticipation that ultimately goes no where.

It's kind of like a cinematic version of blue balls. It's dimly effective, and serves more as a deconstruction of the gangster genre. I don't believe it brings anything new or inspiring to the table.

Easily forgettable...