271. The Traitor (Il traditore); movie review
Cert 15
152 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, sex, nudity, language
This is our territory.
A good gangster movie gets our blood flowing and The Traitor has all the ingredients - murder, mayhem and a true story.
But, while we enjoyed Marco Bellocchio's film, it didn't quite have the va va voom which we expected maybe because it presumes knowledge.
We felt we were at a disadvantage because we were not plugged into the story of Tommaso Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino).
The gangster fled the Sicilian mob wars of the early 1980s, setting up home (and a new crime) ring in Brazil.
Meanwhile, he was helpless as his sons and brother were murdered and feared, despite living abroad, that he could be next.
The Traitor tells how the police got to him first and he ws inspired to make a shocking decision which would have reverberations for his enemies in the mafia and for his nearest and dearest.
The motivation of Buscetta in informing is not clear. Was it to save his own skin or is it basic revenge against those who had grabbed power
The gangster fled the Sicilian mob wars of the early 1980s, setting up home (and a new crime) ring in Brazil.
Meanwhile, he was helpless as his sons and brother were murdered and feared, despite living abroad, that he could be next.
The Traitor tells how the police got to him first and he ws inspired to make a shocking decision which would have reverberations for his enemies in the mafia and for his nearest and dearest.
The motivation of Buscetta in informing is not clear. Was it to save his own skin or is it basic revenge against those who had grabbed power
Bellocchio's movie follows him at break-neck speed but we could work out that his wife (Maria Fernanda Cândido) was key to his decision.
Whatever his reasons, he gave testimony to Judge Giovanni Falcone (Fausto Russo Alesi), who was heading the fight against the mafia.
Consequently, he was pitted against the heads of the mob, Totò Riina (Nicola Calì) and Pippo Calò (Fabrizio Ferracane).
During The Traitor Bodies fall like bloodied nine pins while politics swirls around the potential prosecutions of literally scores of criminals.
The movie has received many plaudits and but, as said, being unaware of its source material meant we could not comment on is accuracy.
Instead, we were left to muse on its storytelling which didn't have the impact of the great gangster films but did keep us entertained.
Reasons to watch: A surprising true story
Reasons to avoid: Moves too quickly
Laughs: None
Jumps: One
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 7/10
Did you know? On July 1, 2020, an international police operation resulted in the dismantlement of the Sicilian Mafia Cosa Nostra crime syndicate of Barrafranca. In total, 45 individuals were arrested in various locations in Sicily and 60 house searches were carried out. Some €1.5 million was seized.
The final word. Marco Bellocchio: "During my recent research into the subject, it emerged that being a ‘Buscetta’, being accused of being a ‘Buscetta’, became an insult in Sicily at the time. You’d be doing a ‘Buscetta’ if you told on anyone. You do not speak about, you do not collaborate, not even on violent crimes, they still have to be sorted out internally, never externally.” The Hot Corn
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