Just returned from seeing The Family, or "Malavita", written, directed and produced by Luc Besson (“La Femme Nikita,” “The Professional”).
Although the NY Times savaged it, I disagree completely with the critic's review.
It is was very funny. Very well acted by the ensemble cast. It also had some interesting plot twists.
Robert Giovanni Manzoni (Robert DeNiro) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Maggie Blake) and their two teenage children Belle Blake (Diana Argon) and Fred Blake (played by newcomer John D'Leo) are a mobster family who are living in Normandy France in the FBI's witness protection program.
It was like a modern day version of The Adams Family.....except that these characters were the essence of New York mobsters. Murder, destruction, chaos, brutality, and illegal activities are just an every day occurs for each of the Blake family members.
The other star of the film was the word, my favorite word, Fuck.
These people are so bad that the priest kicks Maggie out of church after she gives her confession. But they are just a typical family.
Dark humor and a lot of violence! But what a great movie experience. Sure, the plot is a little far-fetched, but this wasn't meant to be "Goodfellas". It is a film of satire.
Pfeiffer is magnificent. As is Robert DeNiro. But these two performances are almost stolen by the young actors who portray the Blake children.
Great ending too.
Thank God summer is over and the shit movies are finished. Finally my season for seeing films has begun. Will see "Austenland" tomorrow.
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