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As Good As It Gets

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

****SPOILERS**** Somewhat fictionalized movie about the life and times of Joseph "Crazy Joe" Gallo played by a scaled down Peter Boyle who's last name-Gallo-for some reason in the film is never once mentioned and slipped in when he's in a liquor store shaking down the owner, that he ended up getting sent up the river or prison for,by showing Crazy Joe standing next to a case of Gallo wine. As for Crazy Joe himself we get to see him and his gang including his ulcer ridden big brother Richie, Rip Thorn, that feel that their getting the short end of the stick from their Mafia bosses by receiving just $100.00 a hit, knocking off someone, that they preform for them.Wanting respect as well as a place in the mob hierarchy in the end gets Crazy Joe in hot water with his boss of bosses Mafia Don Vittorio, Eli Wallach, who at first tries to placate the crazy guy by giving him control of the Brooklyn Red Hook sections mob operations that Crazy Joe and his boys come from. This is after Don Vittorio had one of Crazy Joe's rivals for Mafia promotion Coletti, Charles Cioffi, knocked off at an Italian anti defamation rally at New York's Central Park for not keeping his big mouth shut and not drawing attention to the mobs criminal activities! Crazy Joe was in no way as crazy as a fox he was really crazy and got his name after being diagnosed by the prison doctors as suffering from sever schizophrenia which explains his actions in the movie. One of them integrating the black Harlem mob lead by his friend and former cell-mate Willy, Fred Williamson, into his at the time all white Italian gang!This had Don Vittorio's blood boil especially when Crazy Joe invited Willy and his boys to the Don's mansion-That shocked and enraged Don Vittorio- who made a complete mess, by not showing any respect to the Don, of the place! With Crazy Joe now too big for his own bridges and completely out of control Don Vittorio ordered a hit on him and waited for his 43rd birthday, April 7, 1972, to execute it on the wild and crazy guy as well as his good friend black mob boss now known as Uncle Willy who's invited to his birthday party at the Victorio's Clam Bar in Little Italy.P.S Crazy Joe paid the price in the saying that those who "Live by the gun die by the gun". Crazy Joe always admired Johnny Udo in the 1947 film "Kiss of Death" and styled himself after Mr. Udo in being as he always called those he hated in the film a "Big Man" or the guy in the movie-Victor Mature-who's ratting him out to the police that sent Johnny Udo up the river. In the end Crazy Joe shared the same fate as his screen idol-Johnny Udo-who unlike himself lived to face justice for the crimes that he committed.

I didn't know the movie's background when I started watching it but events in the story brought to mind the internecine gang wars of the New York Mafia during the Sixties. If you lived in, or in proximity to New York City during that time, you would have been regaled with photos and headlines of the latest mob hit on the front page of the New York Daily News or New York Post. Often quite bloody, you knew the Five Families played for keeps to protect their turf.Though the last name is never used in the story, it's 'Crazy' Joe Gallo they're talking about here, a celebrated gangster who was part of the Profaci Crime Family. Peter Boyle fans have probably seen him in his 1970 movie "Joe" in which he portrays a racist redneck, so his casting here as another Joe seemed apropos to me. The picture matter of factly presents the intricate back stabbing and double crosses inherent in mob family life, deftly assigning certain contract hits as independent jobs or family matters as the situation warrants.Other characters in the movie are also stand-ins for historical crime figures. Fred Williamson's Willy represents African-American drug trafficker Nicky Barnes, and Eli Wallach's portrayal of Don Vittorio gives way to Colombo Family boss Joe Colombo, the target of a hit at the second Italian Unity Day Rally at New York's Columbus Circle. It appears the dates cited in the picture are fairly accurate, the hit on Joe Colombo did take place on June, 28th, 1971.With it's eclectic casting and intricate story line, "Crazy Joe" makes for an entertaining gangster flick, all the more interesting for it's parallels to the real life Mafia scene of a bygone era. Comparisons to "The Godfather" are probably unwarranted as the 1972 film is far superior, though Michael Gazzo's brief appearance as 'Uncle' will recall his "Godfather II" role as the forgetful Frankie Pentangelli.

i have seen this movie many years ago,i knew most of the people the actors were playing the movie was to me a great movie,if any one can write me as to where i can purchase this movie i will be grateful.all the actors were really good, Peter Boyle and Paula Prentiss are great together, Fred Williamson also played a good part' i never knew that rip torn played Richie,again i really enjoyed the movie,and can't wait to see it again. i have tried all over to get this movie with no results,so again if there is any one that can help me to buy this movie please get in touch with me [email protected] thank you again

Saw this movie many years ago. It was quite unique and well made. If you enjoyed the Godfather or enjoy true stories this one is worth watching. Peter Boyle did a great job! Especially good if you,like me, enjoy retro 70's almost forgotten films. Has such a stellar cast, it is a real surprise that it is not a cult classic. Enjoyed especially the brief character of the Fonz as a mobster guy. I would have to say if I had been a reviewer when I saw it in 1974 I would had to give it 3 stars. I also found it very easy to follow even if you don't know a lot about Joe Gallo or the story of his life and murder. Fred Williamson who did the cult classic Superfly is also in the cast and gave a great performance. Anyone who likes gangster movies should seek this out.