Thursday, May 17th, 2007
BROOKLYN RULES
It’s always a disappointment when a group of very talented people misfire. Such is the case with BROOKLYN RULES, the feature debut of writer Terence Winter (The Sopranos). Directed by Michael Corrente and starring Freddie Prinze, Jr the film ultimately fails when it can’t decide what it wants to be.
The story revolves around three life long pals entering that crossroads between youth and adulthood we all face in our early 20’s. Michael (Prinze, Jr.) has managed to scam his way into Columbia pre-law where he meets a socialite (Mena Suvari). Michael tries to hide their class difference in an attempt to leave Brooklyn behind. Michael’s slick best friend, Carmine (Scott Caan), is choosing a life under the mentorship of the local mob boss, Ceasar (Alec Baldwin) Good-hearted Bobby (Jerry Ferrara) just wants to settle down and work at the post office. Things get complicated after Michael defends Bobby from a mob hit man and Ceasar must intercede. Set in 1985, the rise of John Gotti could change the neighborhood forever.
The story attempts to walk a line between a status crossed romance and mob drama and never really captures either genre. They do manage to pack in just about every mob cliché out there. When the film reaches the third act it treads dangerously close to ripping off BOYS IN THE HOOD. The dialogue between the three friends is the highlight of the feature. H-bombs of insults are hurled as only young men can do. These scenes alone are very enjoyable.
Some of the performances are fun to watch, but hardly a sustaining force. Alec Baldwin proves that he is still the best leading man turned supporting actor out there Scott Caan’s egomaniacal and overly-fashion conscious (not a wise move in the 80’s) Carmine is a great turn for him. Prinze, Jr is passable as the Brooklynite leading a double life. Mena Suvari does the best she can with her flat role.
Overall, there is a little badda and a little bing but hardly enough substance to recommend BROOKLYN RULES.
Written by DaveHoward on 05/17 at 04:39 PM Post the First Comment!
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