No "Goodfellas" romanticized mob story is to be found here. Therefore this depressing portrait is definitely NOT suited for the masses, who might mistakingly expect to see such a romanticized version of the mob. A kick in the gut is the best one can expect from this hardhitting story about dumping chemical waste, which is a multi million dollar industry in parts of Italy, which are under control by the mob (called gomorra).
The acting is terrific, by ALL (unknown) Italian actors concerned. There are NO leading characters in this story, because it is meant to be a general documentary styled portrait of an Italian "war zone" neighbourhood, run by the mob. Expect a documentary, not a thrilling mob movie, that's the best attitude to enter this film. Because what distinguishes this mob epic from all the others, is the painfully accurate true to life depiction of the struggle of the poor people in Italy, who are forced to endure the Italian mob's criminal ways of doing business.
"Gomorra" is without doubt the most bleak and depressing true to life depiction of the Italian mob, I have ever witnessed. Still highly recommended to every arthouse movie lover. It could even be used for educational purposes, because it shows the criminal ways of the mob WITHOUT the usual hollywood glorification of violence.
The acting is terrific, by ALL (unknown) Italian actors concerned. There are NO leading characters in this story, because it is meant to be a general documentary styled portrait of an Italian "war zone" neighbourhood, run by the mob. Expect a documentary, not a thrilling mob movie, that's the best attitude to enter this film. Because what distinguishes this mob epic from all the others, is the painfully accurate true to life depiction of the struggle of the poor people in Italy, who are forced to endure the Italian mob's criminal ways of doing business.
"Gomorra" is without doubt the most bleak and depressing true to life depiction of the Italian mob, I have ever witnessed. Still highly recommended to every arthouse movie lover. It could even be used for educational purposes, because it shows the criminal ways of the mob WITHOUT the usual hollywood glorification of violence.