Nick, a young Boston Italian, trying to find purpose in the ideology of the mafia and finding his world turned upside down.Nick, a young Boston Italian, trying to find purpose in the ideology of the mafia and finding his world turned upside down.Nick, a young Boston Italian, trying to find purpose in the ideology of the mafia and finding his world turned upside down.
George Carroll
- George Mullins
- (as Slaine)
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- Writer
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOf the three films directed by James Mottern (as of 2022), this is the only one that he did not also write.
- GoofsAll entries contain spoilers
- ConnectionsReferenced in EtTkTh Talks About Movies (2017)
- SoundtracksMy Side
Written by Louis Bell, Terrence Nugent
Performed by Rite Hook
Courtesy of MusicBall Publishing/EMI April Music (ASCAP)
Featured review
"When you are young, you have options. Later on you don't. Enjoy the summer, it will soon be winter."
As written by Emilio Mauro and directed by James Mottern BY THE GUN is another Boston Mafia flick, but this one is a bit more sensitive to character development and conflicts of the gang world than most. Perhaps most of that is due to Ben Barnes very exceptional portrayal of the lead character, but kudos must be passed around to a supporting cast that is less concerned with star turns then depicting the miasma of Mafioso life, perhaps the most dysfunctional concept of 'family' ever created.
Nick Tortano (Ben Barnes) is a smooth-talking, ladies man, ambitious criminal from the streets of Boston. After years spent working for and idolizing the Italian gangsters he finally proves himself to the boss Salvatore Vitaglia (Harvey Keitel) and becomes a made man. However, once inside, Nick conflicts with a moneymaker for the Mafia and begins to drive a wedge between him and Boss. In the sidebars, Nick's 'driver' is the fat but fearless George Mullins (Slaine) who makes Nick's initial difficult kill for him, Nick's real father (Paul Ben- Victor) and younger brother Vito (an impressive turn for Kenny Wormald), a love affair with Ali Matazano (Leighton Meester), and various conflicts with Salvatore's enemies. There are some fine minor character roles by Toby Jones, Ron Komora, Tully Banta-Cain, William Bloomfield, Richie Coaster and others, but basically this is Ben Barnes film –a confused young man who makes some wrong choices but does so in a manner that keeps our compassion.
Not a great film, nor does it pretend to be, but for a small Indie look at the autopsy of the Boston Mafia it fares well.
Nick Tortano (Ben Barnes) is a smooth-talking, ladies man, ambitious criminal from the streets of Boston. After years spent working for and idolizing the Italian gangsters he finally proves himself to the boss Salvatore Vitaglia (Harvey Keitel) and becomes a made man. However, once inside, Nick conflicts with a moneymaker for the Mafia and begins to drive a wedge between him and Boss. In the sidebars, Nick's 'driver' is the fat but fearless George Mullins (Slaine) who makes Nick's initial difficult kill for him, Nick's real father (Paul Ben- Victor) and younger brother Vito (an impressive turn for Kenny Wormald), a love affair with Ali Matazano (Leighton Meester), and various conflicts with Salvatore's enemies. There are some fine minor character roles by Toby Jones, Ron Komora, Tully Banta-Cain, William Bloomfield, Richie Coaster and others, but basically this is Ben Barnes film –a confused young man who makes some wrong choices but does so in a manner that keeps our compassion.
Not a great film, nor does it pretend to be, but for a small Indie look at the autopsy of the Boston Mafia it fares well.
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- gradyharp
- Dec 27, 2014
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