I like to watch these independent films that are produced and made out of New York City and it's boroughs. You get to see a lot of familiar faces (actors that have been in almost all NY "mob" movies and the ilk, as well as even family and friends who have bit parts) AND familiar places (streets and locations familiar to me.) Occasionally something will stand out, or have real potential but fall flat (probably more as a result of being so low budget). I've known who William DeMeo is/was since his bit part in 'A Bronx Tale'. He's from my neighborhood, as well, and I know people who know him personally. I saw his first film (directed by another neighbor, Frank Adonis- who's had bit parts in everything from 'GoodFellas' to 'The Sopranos') called 'One Deadly Road', which also starred a girl I went to junior high with. See?... small world. Anyway, that movie did NOT impress me.
The story was run of the mill gangster fare, the characters and situations unbelievable, and the depiction of these kinds of people very unrealistic (to my experience anyway). Too over the top. The kind of movie that friends of mine started quoting more to make fun of it than to applaud it. Too bad.
Well, awhile back, DeMeo's new low budget feature hit a local theater by us. We never got to see it, as it ran there very shortly, but I finally got it from Netflix this week. And I gotta say, I enjoyed it! There were certain moments where I thought I knew how the story would end up, and was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong! GOOD! Though DeMeo himself was a bit stiff, very one-dimensional in his starring portrayal of the protagonist Angelo, the rest of the cast were really good! Everyone seemed pretty natural, and some were straight-up funny, intentionally! Another plus. The people you may know in the film are Joe Viterelli (sp?) ("Jelly" from 'Analyze This!') and Joseph D'onoffrio (sp?)... who played the young Tommy (Pesci's character in 'Goodfellas').
I thought this film did a better job of portraying this type of atmosphere and life than 'One Deadly Road' did. A lot better. More realistic for the most part. I really appreciated the "fallen son" aspect of the storyline as well (it rang true, though some of it was a bit out of line and kitschy... ***SPOLIER ALERT!!!!*** like Vinny killing his own father).
Anyway, like I said, it wasn't groundbreaking... at this point what mob movie can be?... but it was thoroughly enjoyable and a real surprise. It's worth a view.
DeMeo can be currently seen on 'The Sopranos', though I look forward to his next feature. Hopefully the guy'll just get better and better.
