By: debbie lynn elias
Opening this Friday is Sidney Lumet’s interpretation of what became the longest criminal trial in the history of the American judicial system. (Hard to believe, but yes, longer than OJ and Michael Jackson combined.) “Find Me Guilty” is the story of the infamous Lucchese crime family. During 1987 and 1988, 20 members of the family were prosecuted for their involvement in the family business. This film is based on the testimony of each defendant and given each had their own defense attorney, you can just imagine the turmoil, incongruities, perjury, courtroom hijinks and chaotic shenanigans that resulted.
Nothing at all funny about the real life situation (okay – but for the 20 different attorneys and one pro per defendant), Lumet turns this into a comedy of legal errors concentrating on wise guy Giacomo “Fat Jack” DiNorscio aka Jackie Dee. Having spent most of his life behind bars already and more than disgruntled with his less than effective “shyster lawyer”, DiNorscio elected to act as his own attorney and represent himself. Described as a mobster, liar, cheat, thief, drug dealer, pimp and womanizer, his one redeeming quality was his loyalty to his friends and family. Distanced from the “family” by Lucchese family mob boss Nick Calabrese thanks to DiNorscio’s showboating comedic style not at all in keeping with the “family” persona, we are treated to the alleged behind the scenes activities of the prosecution, wining and dining this dreg of society in an effort to coerce him into making a deal for a reduced sentence. Self-described as a “gagster, not a gangster”, DiNorsc! io stood firm in his personal conviction and refused to make a deal. From opening argument till closing, despite the knowledge that these guys are guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt of the crimes alleged, you can’t help but find yourself smiling and maybe even cheering at the trial’s ultimate outcome.
In a surprise casting move, Vin Diesel takes on the role of the overweight, pompous and buffoonish Jackie Dee. Sitting through 2 hours of daily make-up just to make his hairpiece look worse than Donald Trump’s own hair, Diesel is astounding. Familiar with the Lucchese family and the trial, my first choice for a comedic take on Jackie Dee would have been Joe Pesci, but Diesel had me convinced he was the man for the job from his first moment on screen. Engaging, spirited and downright funny, Diesel steals the film from the first frame. Even better than Diesel, however, is my old friend Alex Rocco. Rocco, known for his roles as the consummate mobster and Italian in films like “The Godfather” is the epitome of a mob boss as Nick Calabrese. In his own inimitable style, Rocco’s expressive nature adds its own level of comedy to not only the character, but the film as well. And a real cast against type coup is Ron Silver as Judge Finestein.
Written by Lumet and TJ Mancini, the script is strong and plays well. True to life but with that more than slight comedic edge, the characters jump from page to screen with probably more animation than their real life counterparts. Unfortunately though, the film falls short with Lumet’s directing. Expecting the power and oomph behind Lumet’s more notable works like “Twelve Angry Men”, “Serpico” or “Dog Day Afternoon”, the catchphrase of the day becomes lackluster. No gripping courtroom drama. No real explosive tension. No build-up. The film revolves almost purely around DiNorscio and fails to tie many of the pieces together that make the case as a whole so compelling. A real let down is the wayward handling of the trial’s conclusion. Treated as almost being insignificant, the audience is left with almost a quizzical feeling comes the film’s end. Where Lumet does succeed brilliantly is in creating and exposing his characters and a vivid sense of 600 days of courtroom confinement.
“Find Me Guilty” – a guilty pleasure on this week’s movie horizon.
Vin Diesel: Giacomo “Fat Jack” DiNorscio Alex Rocco: Nick Calabrese Ron Silver: Judge Finestein Directed by Sidney Lumet. Written by Sidney Lumet and TJ Mancini. Rated R. (125min)
