Many talented directors in their films have addressed this topic and talked about the real and fictional representatives of the country’s criminal clans. We invite you to recall some of the best films about the mafia and gangsters.
The Godfather (1972)
Without a doubt, the most famous Mafia film is Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. The phrase “An offer you can’t refuse” is widely used even by those who haven’t watched this epic saga of the New York gangster Corleone family. The film received dozens of nominations for prestigious cinematographic awards and won three Oscars and five Golden Globes, being in the top of the best films in the history of American cinema, according to the American Film Institute.
The tragic story of the transformation of the war hero Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) under family pressure into a brutal mafia boss is shown very simply from a technical point of view but strikes with the drama of events. A snow-white shirt front, a tuxedo and a red rose in the buttonhole – an unforgettable image created by Marlon Brando is inextricably associated with the mafia of the mid-20th century. In 1974, The Godfather 2 was released, and in 1990 the final chapter of The Godfather 3 saga.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone, who shortsightedly turned down an offer from Paramount Pictures to film The Godfather, satisfied his frustration by directing the equally grandiose gangster movie Once Upon a Time in America. The story is based on Harry Gray`s autobiographical book. It dates back to the 1920s on the New York East Side. The story is told on behalf of one of the eight members of the gang, David Noodles Aronson (Robert De Niro), who is already an old man indulges in memories of his criminal youth in the Jewish quarter, robberies and robberies, about bootlegging during the dry law, about love, friendship, and betrayal in the pursuit of a better life.
For De Niro, who by that time had already starred as the young Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather 2, Noodles became another unforgettable character in his filmography rich in such roles.
Goodfellas, (1990)
The story of a young gangster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) who dreams of becoming a real mafioso is considered a classic of the genre and one of the best Scorsese films. Professional critics, in addition to the excellent direction and script, on which the author of the book “Clever” Nicholas Pileggi worked with Scorsese, note the amazing authenticity of everything that happens on the screen. And of course, Robert De Niro starred in one of the main roles.
Casino (1995)
And once again all the faces are familiar: the participants of “Nice Guys” – Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Nicholas Pileggi (author of the novel and co-writer of the script) under the direction of Martin Scorsese are filming another criminal gangster drama based on real events and their participants. By the way, some critics caught Scorsese in some degree of self-repetition, although De Niro’s hero this time only worked for the mafia, managing the casino entrusted to him.
Exploded cars, luxurious furs on the dazzling Sharon Stone (one of the best roles in her career), brutal murders and the word “fuck”, spoken on average two and a half times a minute, have clearly demonstrated to those who want to hit the jackpot, sipping chilled champagne the casino always wins.
Analyze This, (1999)
A special place among gangster films is occupied by Harold Ramis’ comedy Analyze This, the main character of which, the boss of the New York criminal clan Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro), is in dire need of professional help from a psychiatrist. The film is a clever parody of films of the genre, managing to remain a full-fledged independent story, told witty, captivating, and incredibly funny. De Niro was accompanied by the brilliant comedian Billy Crystal.
