ndamiano-22340
What a great series gets better each season
Shows how the son tries to lead the family business his way
Chunyi Hsu
This movie is brilliant in a sense that it delivers a strong story without actually using strong story lines. Many times the movie seems more akin to a documentary, where the audience is put in a position to simply observe and witness- no witty conversations, no dramatic music, no unusual camera angles. Pieces of seemingly disconnected stories nonetheless knit together a full picture of what Camorra gang, or any other gangs in the world, is truly about. There is nothing glorious- just pure exploitation of the weak and the greedy through violence and corruption. The movie started with a murder scene and ended with another. The tones, however, are completely different. The beginning was light, with friendly conversations with the victims and rather joyful soundtracks. The ending scene, in contrast, was just merciless and brutal killing, after which a heavy soundtrack was played along the credits. The is indicative of the development of the movie- first, the daily lives in the slum was depicted as nothing out of ordinary. As the audience goes deeper and deeper into the social fabric, however, the true face of the gang emerges clearer and uglier. It is omnipotent and influential. More importantly, it is self-serving and devastating.There is a strong message of greed driving humans into their own distinction. While some of the victims were exploited for the weak positions, many were also driven and eventually consumed by their own greed for money and power. This undertone is reflected in the closing: from the powerful scene of negotiation of illegal poisonous chemical dumping with the victim who suffers from the very poison he tried to earn money from- even in his death bed he could utter nothing but 'Euro'- to the two teenagers dreaming about becoming powerful gang leaders only ending up being killed like pigs and dumped like garbage.
Kirpianuscus
because, at the first sigh, nothing could be new. after many films about gangsters, crimes, South Italy, for the viewer must be clear the entire story. Gomorrah is an exception. for many reasons. first, because it is a real admirable work. then, because it is more than a story about murder and victims but a precise perspective about a large and complex mechanism. not the last, because it is the portrait of society as a collection of masks, sides and silences. and this does it more a support for reflection than entertainment in ordinary sense. the exploration of a huge labyrinth. in the middle of spider web.
Nicole C
The actors did a great job with their characters, and rightly so as most are locals of the area. The usage of non-professional actors/ local talent really helped in capturing the authenticity of the story. Also, the location-shooting did a great job in capturing the core of the Mafia, while also establishing its widespread influences. The spaces we see are limited, but many. What I mean by this is that because of the different story-lines, we see many different spaces, but what we see of these spaces is limited. They do not travel much in their own settings (except for Franco and Roberto who travel across the country).The first scene of the film establishes the violence of the subject and the aggressiveness of the Mafia. The film does show quite a bit of explicit content. This helps to deny the glorification that being part of the Mafia is usually depicted as bringing. Unlike how conspicuous consumption and success is shown in Scarface (which is also referenced in this movie), Matteo Garrone makes an effort not to show that side of glorification. The Mafia members here are ruthless, violent and seemingly do not have morals. It takes little to agitate them and loyalty plays a big part in maintaining one's safety. This again shows the reality of the film and the lives of the people in Naples.The endings of the different story-lines complement each other in sending the message that you are either with or against the Camorra. Although in the case of Roberto, his future is left ambiguous which is a little confusing.Overall a great portrayal of the Camorra system in Naples, with well established story-lines and great acting. What makes this film terrifying is the fact that this is based from reality and that the people living there have no choice but to go along or face the consequences (usually death).Read more movie reviews at: championangels.wordpress.com
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