Gomorrah (2009)

Directed by Matteo Garrone

(3 out of 4)

 

Review by Hayden Wright: The world of organized crime has been alluring to filmmakers since the beginning of cinema, but in "Gomorrah," director Matteo Garrone introduces worldwide audiences to the crime culture of Naples. Based on the book by Roberto Saviano, "Gomorrah" weaves together five stories of Neapolitans whose lives are infected by the Comorra mob. Whether tracing the corruption of residents old or young, Garrone's film remains a harrowing exhibit of how this Italian city has been shaped by organized crime. Each story gives a different perspective on how deep the criminality runs, until we finally see this region for what it is: a land as old as empire whose cultural dignity is no match for the temptations of modern crime.

The film opens with images of a tanning-salon "job," where the audience is first introduced to the criminal behaviors that permeate every level of society in Naples. From here, the film explores different angles of its one theme: the Comorra. And, unlike all of the contrived tales of parallel and intersecting story-lines that have become popular over the past several years (from "Babel" to "Crash"), we are spared any petty attempts at connectivity.

All it takes is one unlucky errand for Toto (Salvatore Abruzzese), a grocery delivery boy, to be sucked into the underworld-- or, in "Gomorrah"'s case, perhaps it's more appropriate to say the "overworld"-- of the Comorra mob. Toto's corruption is indicative of the widespread temptation of young boys seeking guidance and camaraderie in the wrong places. And when last we see Toto, he’s forced to extinguish his one connection to his past, a startling sequence that shows how real life monsters are made. Another thread in Roberto's story concerns Pasquale (Salvatore Cantalupo), a tailor who becomes a mob target after he trains a rival organization in the textile trade. Each story shows how far the Comorra's grasp reaches, and infects all walks of life in the region.

Visually, "Gomorrah" is marked by its unrelenting dimness; the dark landscape of Naples haunts with its strange beauty, and seemingly alien urban sprawl. The people of the city are ruled by fear, and this landscape reflects the threat of the Camorra, while Garrone's grainy, organic shots give the film a documentary look that many crime dramas fail to capture. The director uses his impressive narrative and visual talents to create an unusually realistic portrait of organized crime.

Last Word:

"Gomorrah" is an unyielding portrait of a city permeated by organized crime, told through five compelling, deeply human stories.

Review By:
Hayden Wright, Staff Writer

IN REVIEW ONLINE