Romanzo criminale (2005)

Set in the 1970s, it's the story of three lifelong friends who take control of organized crime in Rome.

Director:

Michele Placido

Writers:

Giancarlo De Cataldo (novel), Stefano Rulli (screenplay),

Stars:

Kim Rossi Stuart, Anna Mouglalis, Pierfrancesco Favino

22 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kim Rossi Stuart	...	Il Freddo
Anna Mouglalis	...	Patrizia / Cinzia
Pierfrancesco Favino	...	Libano
Claudio Santamaria	...	Il Dandi
Stefano Accorsi	...	Commissario Scialoja
Riccardo Scamarcio	...	Il Nero
Jasmine Trinca	...	Roberta
Toni Bertorelli	...	La Voce
Luigi Angelillo	...	Zio Carlo (as Gigi Angelillo)
Antonello Fassari	...	Ciro Buffoni
Elio Germano	...	Il Sorcio
Franco Interlenghi	...	Barone Rosellini
Donato Placido	...	Colussi
Massimo Popolizio	...	Il Terribile
Gianmarco Tognazzi	...	Carenza (as Gian Marco Tognazzi)

Storyline

Italy, the 1970s, in the grip of molded politics, corruption and the mafia. A small circle of friends grows up in Rome and decides to use their skills and connections with organized crime and specialists to carve out their own share. Thus Il Freddo, Libano and Il Dandi builds up a rogue crime empire. Commissario Scialoja however gives chase, successfully once he can play on the breakdown of their loyalty, especially from Patrizia 'Cinzia'.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | 1970s | loyalty | male frontal nudity | nonlinear timeline | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [it] Warner Bros [fr]

Country:

Italy France UK

Language:

Italian English French

Release Date:

30 September 2005 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Kings of Crime

Filming Locations:

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$818,418 (Italy) (30 September 2005)

Gross:

$2,215,402 (Europe) (7 October 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cattleya, Babe Film, Warner Bros. Pictures Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

152 min 174 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Michele Placido wanted Paz Vega to play Patrizia but she could not take on the role because of scheduling conflicts. Anna Mouglalis was cast instead.

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Goofs

The section of Bologna Central Station that is shown when the bomb explodes is the wrong part of the building. The waiting room, where the real bomb exploded is on the left side of the main entrance, this is actually part of the ticket hall which remained mostly undamaged during the explosion.

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Connections

Version of Romanzo Criminale (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Tie Your Mother Down"
Queen

User Reviews

A Tale We Know

It's not that "Romanzo criminale" is a bad movie. It's only a movie we've seen so many times (from the Godfather to Once Upon a Time in America) done so much better.

Storywise, although it is of Italian origin, "Romanzo" is as bland as any new mafia movie, dealing with revenge, honor and family. The script is rather tedious too, with very few moments of sparkle, and even though the movie looks good, it only starts to feel like a watchable movie in its last quarter. And as if it weren't enough that the film is mediocre, it also bears resemblance to an odyssey if we are to consider its playing time and the way I, as a viewer, interpreted it.

The one interesting aspect is related to the political facet of the mafia, and especially to the situation before the fall of the communist regimes. But this definitely doesn't make up for the weak plot. All there is...is a series of events, linked to one another, sprinkled with love but far too hollow to transcend. Sadly.