American Cousins (2003) User Reviews

Thoughtful mobster-comedy-drama fusion with independent mentality

[oneloveall · 6/10 · 20 March 2007]

A pleasant diversion from the mostly shallow and obnoxious gangster genre, American Cousins is a welcome script for wiseguy scenarios, injecting a surprising amount of tenderness and authenticity into the limited budget release. Taking place mainly in Scotland, the story revolves around two US mafioso's who end up having to stash away in this grey-splattered alternate universe, substituting guns and drugs with fish and chips. It is a charming little niche film that got a moderate amount of low-key critical praise, but will likely find a tough time among American markets. The whole Eurofellas vibe, while quite appealing to anyone looking for different angles to detail these types of characters, will largely go unnoticed by most organized crime fans from an emphasis focusing on the intimate and subtly amusing aspects of these hoodlums journey. Also, the heavy Scottish accents, paired with a somewhat bleak production should all but guarantee the movie need not appeal to the chief demographic it was made for on this side of the pond, which might be a good thing.

While the film may not be a hit for the Sopranos set (despite the extended cameo from Vincent Pastore), the gentle and impressively nuanced talent found in this heartfelt synthesis of writer, director and acting overrides most of the film's shoddy production. In turns funny, heartfelt, and vengeful, potency found within this mild hybrid becomes solidified by the great casting choices exemplified by the understated romanticism of lead Gerald Lepkowski and anchored by an always gruffly adorable Dan Hedaya. Do not let the generic cover art fool you, this is about as indie and subtle the gangster drama has veered.

Good for the Mafia, bad for Glasgow

[breaklikeagirl · 5/10 · 30 March 2005]

I feel I have to comment on this film purely to correct the comment below. None of the characters are traditionally Irish, as the film is set in Scotland. Dear me.

American Cousins is a nice wee film. It didn't take itself too seriously, which is good as it was a little hammy & far fetched, particularly towards the end. Overall, the story was interesting - funny in places, heartbreakingly sad in others.

It's a mafia film set in Glasgow (that would be Scotland). My only complaint is that it makes Glasgow look so backward, - dated, cultureless & empty. Glasgow is (like everywhere else in Scotland) every bit as modern as America or any other country but the hospital, café...everywhere in the film was dingy & dated.

However, the cast were good, their acting carried the story (apart Stevan Rimkus, who was cringe-worthy to watch as JoJo) & the story was touching in places. A good film to pop on when you feel like some light entertainment.

go see if you get the chance

[peek123 · 7/10 · 28 November 2003]

All in all a nicely constructed film with some strong performances, although it seems to depict Scotland as an old fashioned out of date country, minor problem , its worth a look if you can ever find it on anywhere, I saw it as a one off in Glasgow where the film was shot and I feel it should get a chance.go see it for Scottish cinema.go see it for the British film industry.

Lovely

[Ali_John_Catterall · 7 September 2004]

'The best British rom-com/culture-clash comedy in years' it says on the DVD cover. As the writer of the above blurb, I'm happy to say I haven't changed my opinion one iota. It's basically Local Hero meets The Sopranos. After a botched European hit, Mafia types Gino (Nucci) and Settimo (Dan Hedaya) take refuge in a Glasgow fish and chip shop run by their sweet-natured, stamp-collecting cousin, the Scottish/Italian Roberto (Gerald Lepkowski). When Gino takes a shine to Roberto's fellow fryer Alice (a lazily vampish Henderson) it spurs his frustrated lovesick cousin into action and sets the scene for some hilarious one-upmanship. This really is a lovely, lovely film, beautifully performed, and by Lepkowski and Henderson in particular, as the lovers-in-waiting. Perfect for cosying up with on the sofa with someone spesh and, perhaps, a couple of kittens gamboling between your toes (gambling, even – I've nothing against cats betting among themselves.)

A total rip-off.

[vinciblestimps · 3/10 · 26 March 2007]

This film may be great, but it is a complete ripoff of Bill Forsythe's Comfort and Joy. c&j is one of the sweetest films I've ever seen without becoming diabetic.

It's OK if you do like it, but realize that EVERYTHING in this film is a direct rip-off.

The original is http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0087072 I can recommend almost anything by forsythe - Local Hero, Gregory's Girl, That Sinking Feeling. I better go rent some tonight. Local Has a young Peter Capaldi, and an old Burt Lancaster.

Unfortunately he's given up film-making after some really crappy Hollywood treatment. Sad.

Not too good

[janar_ks · 4/10 · 23 January 2004]

It was definitely worth viewing, I don't regret that. But also it was kind of ordinary. Something, that I would expect from a movie titled like that. Love story was nice to watch. Humour was involved, but nothing surprised or spooked me. Shooting, "tough guys" etc. ain't worth it any more.

Warm, funny, romantic, quirky and a wonderful sound-track

[filmfan2004 · 10/10 · 22 May 2003]

American Cousins was shown at the film festival market in Cannes, France, and went down a storm with the audience. Warm, funny, romantic, quirky, and a wonderful sound-track. The talk in the ladies' restroom afterward was why aren't there more movies like this; movies that make you feel good and leave you with a smile on your face.

Like a made for TV movie

[mm-39 · 5/10 · 20 August 2007]

I let my wife pick the movies out, usually at a chain called Rogers. American cousins is of the quality of a made for TV movie. My wife rented the movie for they had one of HBO's 'Soprano's' on it. That is the hook to rent the movie and the 'Soprano's guy only made a small appearance in it. OK acting and directing. The viewer learns more about Scotland from watching the film. If you are going rent 2 movies this is the second one when you watch when you are tired and want to get sleepy. Entertaining enough, but not memorable. 5 out of 10. There is a romance in it, which my wife liked. This is not 'Snatch'. I think the lake they visited in the movie was used in a couple rock videos.

Little Italy in Scotland

[sofiesworld · 8/10 · 28 March 2006]

I watched this movie for the first time on a flight back from Australia to Germany in early 2004. Living as a foreigner in a country I wasn't born in may have made me a little more susceptible to the story. And the fact that I spent three months in Scotland a couple of years ago also helped. Anyway, I liked the story a lot.

Mind you it is not without fault but not many films are. They are just as fallible as their creators I daresay. It is worth watching though and the cast (especially the late great Russell Hunter) delivered a most believable performance. If there are some stereotypical characters in the story - so what? Ever watched one of the so-called Hollywood blockbusters? That's what I call so stereotypical that it actually hurts my intellect just to think that I wasted my hard-earned money on that kind of rubbish.

I wish there were a lot more films like that one!

Mille grazie, Sergio.

one of the better films from the uk

[peshawar6 · 10/10 · 10 February 2006]

actually i'd give it 7.5 out of 10, but IMDb don't do fractions.

its an unusual film. beautifully made, unformulaic, and as good as a rom-com as any. both leads are not your normal romantic leading types, but shirley henderson and gerald lepowskiw have good chemistry. henderson is a very underrated actress. somehow, film feels very nourish, probably because its set in Glasgow, Scotland.

the ending's somewhat rushed, but altogether pretty impressive for a debut.

not quite shallow grave or trainspotting, but i'd rather watch this than any of the blockbuster Hugh Grant vehicles from Working Title

Good things going for it.

[jaykay-1 · 8 May 2003]

Occasionally, a movie made overseas for domestic filmgoers is worthy of seeking a wider audience and this gem from Britain, screened at the 2003 American Film Market, is one of them. It has a lot of good stuff going for it.

Two American Mafioso types flee to Scotland when a deal in Kiev goes wrong. In Glasgow, they hide out with Bobbie, a cousin, who operates an ice cream parlor and fish-and-chip shop. Complications arise when a couple of inept Liverpool thugs, contracted by the Russian Mob, turn up to hunt down the visitors. As if this wasn't enough, loansharks are after Bobbie to collect on a loan.

All in all, a pleasant minor comedy which I liked a lot, mainly for its good intentions and above standard acting. Danny Nucci delivers a sympathetic performance as Bobbie augmented by Scottish-born Shirley Henderson, who plays Alice his wife.. She is an actress who first came to my attention with a brilliant performance as Marie Melmonte in the PBS tv miniseries "The Way We Live Now."

Enjoyable Culture Clash Comedy!

[greene515 · 10/10 · 12 January 2006]

'American Cousins' is a surprisingly enjoyable, comedy drama lensed in the rain soaked streets of Glasgow, Danny Nucci,and Dan Hedeya play Gino/Settimo respectively, two bumbling mafioso who are way in over their heads, when a botched deal with crooked Ukrainians goes sour ,they find themselves on the run and decide to pay their 'cousins a visit, The cousins in question are a Grandpa and Grandson duo Played by Gerald Lepowski, As Roberto, The late Russell Hunter as Nono, The two run an established fish and chip shop, in the heart of Glasgow's barrows area, The two mafioso lend the pair a hand in chasing off local debt collectors,and generally help run the establishment with hilarious consequences,The ever Brilliant,Shirley Henderson,plays Alice, the waitress whom Roberto lusts after, 'American Cousins' is one of the more enjoyable Scottish film's of recent years,

Laugh, cry, feel good.

[dutyman · 10/10 · 28 November 2003]

I saw this film 7 hours ago and my sides still hurt from laughing. This is NOT high drama, but an excellent escapism film with well developed characters - deliberately stereotypes but they achieve the purpose of the director. Excellent acting - you'll walk out wiping the tears from your eyes and smiling at everybody.

A film with a great sense of humour

[ninty9 · 8/10 · 27 September 2003]

I just got back from seeing this film at the 2003 Calgary International Film Festival. I had read good things going into it, and I was pretty well satisfied.

I won't give a synopsis of the story since if you read the other comments, it's there, however I will give a general overview of how I thought the film performed.

The acting was great. I really didn't have a problem with it. It was convincing, and to see some of the minor characters really stand out because of what they do and the way they do it was really nice to see. Gerald Lepkowski does a wonderful job as Roberto. We get to see his somewhat simple life and what is important to him. Shirley Henderson does a great job as well.

The plot is simple, but it works. There are a few surprises through out the film that are great. It makes it not predictable and keeps you interested because you aren't sure just what you'll find.

This is more of a comedy than a mobster type movie. And as that I think it does just fine. There are a lot of one liners, but they're amusing. As a mobster movie, this isn't, although you would think this by looking at it. It is very much about cousins, and family. 8/10

Reminds you why you fell in love with cinema in the first place.

[salted_peanut · 9/10 · 4 June 2003]

Two American Mafiosi are forced to lay-low with nice-guy Scottish cousin Bobby after a job in Eastern Europe goes badly wrong. Then one of them takes a liking to Bobby's girl, the other clashes with a local hood, and Bobby finds his world collapsing round him...

This extremely likeable movie is in the tradition of "Local Hero", with the comedy emerging naturally from the interplay of sympathetic, fully-drawn characters rather than gags thrown randomly into a pre-fabricated mould.

The romantic entanglements are also nicely drawn and paced. These seem like real people here, with real flaws and real feelings.

Great performances from Scottish actors Gerald Lepkowski, Shirley Henderson and Russell Hunter, and the American Cousins of the title, Danny Nucci (Titanic), Dan Hedaya (The Hurricane, Mulholland Drive) and Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos) add Hollywood sparkle.

One of those movies which remind you why you fell in love with cinema in the first place.

KEEP A LOW PROFILE

[nogodnomasters · 8/10 · 5 July 2018]

Two New Jersey Italian-Americans come out on top of a shoot out with some Ukrainian mafia types. The Ukrainian mobsters are out for revenge. Our two Americans (Danny Nucci and Dan Hedaya) decide to leave the country and hide in Scotland with an honest cousin they have never seen before. Roberto (Gerald Lepkowski) is the boring Scottish cousin who runs a restaurant and ice cream parlor. Alice (Shirley Henderson) also works there, complaining about her dull life and dull Scotsmen. Roberto loves Alice but has been too shy to say anything. Now with his American cousin Gino in town, Roberto finds himself in competition with the new guy who is dashing, out going, and well hung.

Meanwhile the Ukrainian mafia has put a contract out on our two American cousins while a group of local thugs shake down Roberto's establishment. The film has an indie quality to it in that it combines action-crime, drama, romance, and comedy into a production and swaps up at will. Shirley Henderson was remarkably good.

F-bomb, rear nudity (Danny Nucci), no sex

Absolute Trash

[pete001 · 24 February 2004]

Honestly, i went and watched this film on the recommendations and good score shown here at imdb. I laughed all the way thru this film, not because it was funny, not because it was quirky and charming, but because it was one of the worst movies I have EVER seen. Now you may say that this is being harsh, but I've seen Police Academy Mission to Moscow and that has more redeeming qualities than this film.

Even the fact that this film is based in Scotland, the beautiful country that I am from, that didn't help it. The whole plot was ludicrous, Italian mobsters with a weak family link to some people in Scotland go to stay with them at a chip shop. They even begin to work there, battering fish etc. just so laughable.

I would rant on more but I can't be bothered as this film isn't worth bothering about.

LEAVE IT ALONE!

Beautiful,heart-warming film

[xerxes56 · 10/10 · 1 February 2004]

Beautiful,heart-warming film.That shows, that the true love of a man can't be stopped by any misfortune in the world. Shirley Henderson´s performance is just wonderful and Gerald Lepkowski does a great job playing the hard-working , forlorn Italian with the biggest heart on earth.

Stereotypes..... and how to break them

[bluenotejazz · 28 January 2004]

I like the way this movie tackled the subject and how it played out on the screen.

While the two gangsters were very typical, cut from the same cloth one would expect them to be, and even willing to resolve problems the only way they knew how, still they were taught a valuable lesson. On the other hand, while yet maintaining their Italian roots, the 'cousins' were very much Irish and followed their own traditions and values. Following real life, sometimes the misguided perceptions of those outside of a group can be so pervasive, that even those belonging to that same group adopt those ideas about themselves. They then turn around and judge their peers within the group using the same measuring stick, wrong as it is. Anyone who strays away from that is looked at as strange or even worse ostracized. The 'stamp collecting' scene is one good example of this.

Otherwise the movie was good with competent acting. The subtlety of the emotions of the characters as they progressively learned more about themselves from their cousins was quite well done by the lead actors - even Dan Hedaya toned down some of the usual facial Dan Hedayaisms. While it was based on the same love triangle theme seen a jillion times before, it was done differently here and in a unique setting - at least to us North Americans. Check it out.

A hidden gem

[Ioreka · 9/10 · 8 May 2020]

Absolutely one of the most underrated films I've ever seen. A superbly told story, with great atmosphere, great dialogue, and a first-class script. Many of the lines are laugh out-loud funny. You find yourself rooting for all the main characters. There's excitement, there's sadness, and there's love. Yes it's a 'feel-good' film. But it's one of the best.