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IMDbPro

True Friends

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
224
YOUR RATING
True Friends (1998)
Drama

Three boys face the challenges of growing up in the Bronx.Three boys face the challenges of growing up in the Bronx.Three boys face the challenges of growing up in the Bronx.

  • Director
    • James Quattrochi
  • Writers
    • Rodrigo Botero
    • James Quattrochi
  • Stars
    • James Quattrochi
    • Loreto Mauro
    • Rodrigo Botero
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    224
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Quattrochi
    • Writers
      • Rodrigo Botero
      • James Quattrochi
    • Stars
      • James Quattrochi
      • Loreto Mauro
      • Rodrigo Botero
    • 9User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos5

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    Top cast73

    Edit
    James Quattrochi
    James Quattrochi
    • Joey
    Loreto Mauro
    Loreto Mauro
    • Louie Mazzarino
    Rodrigo Botero
    • J.J.…
    John Capodice
    John Capodice
    • Big Tony
    Eddie Jones
    Eddie Jones
    • Father Reilly
    Dan Lauria
    Dan Lauria
    • Pauley
    Len Lesser
    Len Lesser
    • Mr. Slotnick
    Vera Lockwood
    • Mrs. Calisuano
    Peter Onorati
    Peter Onorati
    • Alphonse
    Mackenzie Phillips
    Mackenzie Phillips
    • Connie
    Leo Rossi
    Leo Rossi
    • Carmine
    Richard Zavaglia
    • Luigi
    Jeanne Sapienza
    • Gina
    Bill Capizzi
    Bill Capizzi
    • Sal
    Sue Giosa
    Sue Giosa
    • Frances
    Bertila Damas
    Bertila Damas
    • Maria
    • (as Bertilla Damas)
    Michelle C. Bonilla
    Michelle C. Bonilla
    • Lisette
    • (as Michelle Bonilla)
    Jerry Kernion
    Jerry Kernion
    • Big Bubbles
    • Director
      • James Quattrochi
    • Writers
      • Rodrigo Botero
      • James Quattrochi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    5.4224
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    Featured reviews

    1samt-4

    Worst film, ever...

    Quite literally put, this was the worst pile of *!@# I have ever seen. What an absoloute joke from start to finish, the sad thing was it was supposed to be serious! I was conned by the cover stating that fans of "Goodfellas" and "Sleepers" would like this, WHY? Cos it was set in NY and thats about it!

    If you fancy a laugh get it, the attempts at acting were woeful, the "Cold Turkey" scene was a classic, I personally think my goldfish could have given a more convincing performance!!

    I was even duped into a good review by Martin Scorcese (I can only accept and will only accept that this is a different Scorcese to the genius I know of, there's no way he genuinely saw this and then liked it! If he watched it then I bet he would have cringed at how bad an attempt at making a film could get!

    Doesn't deserve the rating of 4.1 (last time I looked), anyone that rated this above a 1 then I would love to have a deeper conversation into what if any part of this ridiculous film they feel makes it worth an average rating?

    I would also like an explanation from the people that gave this film an award for best movie (WHAT ON EARTH WAS THE SHORT LIST LIKE!!!!!)

    Sorry to say it but, pathetic.
    8moggy-4

    it all rings true

    it all rings true, and I grew up there. It was interesting hearing them mention places or neighborhoods that I remembered. Though I never knew anyone like the characters- I grew up there earlier-, it was very realistic,never overplayed or succumbing to sensationalism. written in 3wks. by 2 of the actors,and a true story; A beautiful ode to friendship.
    8arnavsarkar83

    Nice movie, that makes you smile, laugh and cry

    I remember watching this movie in parts, on TV, as a kid, and there are two scenes which stayed in my memory all these years. The first is when they bunk school to go fishing, and they get caught the next day when their photo appears in the newspaper. The other scene is when towards the end, Joey tells his wife, Gina, "I cant move my legs".

    Now, having seen the movie in full after so many years, I enjoyed and appreciate it even more. A beautiful story of 3 friends growing up in a rough neighborhood, and sticking together in the toughest of times, this movie starts with some nice and light moments, and ends with some tearful moments towards the end. It depicts the ups and downs of life, and reminds us to value our true friends, and their friendship. It also shows how true friendship lives on even after a friend might not be there anymore.

    For me the best thing about the movie is the story, and the bonding the 3 lead actors (and their junior versions) share. The way the friends come together to help J.J, or when they take Louie out for some "fun" on his birthday, are scenes that we can relate to in some way or another in our own lives. And the tragedy with Joey in the end makes you feel that you have lost a friend too.

    The drawback of the movie may very possibly be some technical factors like poor editing which make the movie progress at a hurried pace, especially initially. A film like this might have done better with a few more slower moments in my opinion.

    Overall, the movie aims at celebrating true friendship, and even despite a tragedy in the end, it somehow ends up on a positive note. A must watch in my opinion.
    1slinberg

    Awful.

    Contrived, oversimplistic, relentlessly and unrealistically> cheerful, predictable. Add a little bad language to the worst> ABC after-school special you've ever seen, and you're about> where this film comes in. Rented because the cover said it had> won some prominent independent film award, but this seems to have been an error. We're going to try to get a refund from the video store.
    10jquatt4827

    A true story from the heart. Touching and funny and very real.

    A true story based on the lives of three best friends. This film will make you laugh and cry. Not just for New Yorkers but for anyone who ever had a friend in this life. A must see it can be rented in most video stores. A film with a message! Enjoy!

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    Related interests

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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 30, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • True Friends - Wahre Freunde
    • Filming locations
      • Montebello, California, USA
    • Production company
      • 2nd Generation Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,231
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,231
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 43m(103 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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