Credited cast: | |||
Toni Servillo | ... | Gorbaciof | |
Mi Yang | ... | Lila | |
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Geppy Gleijeses | ... | L'avvocato |
Gaetano Bruno | ... | L'Arabo | |
Hal Yamanouchi | ... | Padre di Lila | |
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Antonio Buonomo | ... | Direttore supermarket |
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Agostino Chiummariello | ... | Direttore fabbrica |
Salvatore Ruocco | ... | Guardia | |
Nello Mascia | ... | Vanacore | |
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Francesco Paglino | ... | Rapinatore |
Salvatore Striano | ... | Rapinatore | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Vincenzo Fabricino | ||
Loredana Simioli | ... | Secretary | |
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Diego Sommaripa |
Marino Pacileo, known as "Gorbaciof" due to the prominent birthmark on his forehead, is an accountant at Poggioreale Prison in Naples. Pacileo, silent and shy, has only one passion in life: poker. He's in love with a Chinese girl called Lila and when he discovers that her father can't pay a debt incurred at the card table, Pacileo steals the money from the prison coffers and gives it to the girl. From that moment on, between losing games, collecting backhanders and committing robberies, he sets out on a slippery slope from which there is no turning back. Written by Anonymous
Although it may seem so, this movie has nothing to do with the USSR. The movie's title refers to the protagonist's crimson birthmark on top of his head, just as the former Soviet leader. Gorbaciof works as a cashier at the prison of Naples. Quite easily he manages to embezzle money with which he gambles at night playing card games in the back of a Chinese restaurant. When he starts to feel for Lila, the mysterious and gorgeous waitress of the restaurant, everything changes.
The beautiful camera work and excellent editing make up for the lack of dialog in this film (there is almost no spoken word). Lots of dynamic shots, close ups and long takes in combination with the very good acting of Tony Servillo and Mi Yang make for a great cinematic experience. There is a lot of suspense in this film, but it has also funny and romantic moments. The only downside is the story, which is too straight forward in my opinion. If you can live with that I would say that this is nothing less than a must-see. Enjoy!