You never really know with a picture like this how much is accurate and how much is given to poetic license. On the face of it, I'd say it was reasonably credible on the major highlights of Meyer Lansky's life, a figure who was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate in the United States. I would have preferred seeing Harvey Keitel more involved in events that took place in Lansky's life instead of being an interview subject, but that's what we get as he provides a fascinating narrative of how Lansky rose through the ranks of organized crime. One aspect that certainly stands out was how impersonal he was in his relationships with mob associates, as evidenced by his standing aside on a council decision to rub out Ben 'Bugsy' Siegel (David Cade) when the man got too greedy during his oversight of the Las Vegas casino operation. Perhaps Lansky's greatest strength, apart from his facility with numbers, was his ability to maintain secrecy over every aspect of his income derived from illegitimate sources. His mocking note to the FBI stating that 'You will never find it', and left in a safety deposit box, was indicative of his highly confidential nature. In describing himself to author David Stone, portrayed by Sam Worthington, Lansky borrowed from that classic Jimmy Cagney picture when he calls himself 'an angel with a dirty face'. An angel might have been a bit of an exaggeration.
Review of Lansky
