Rob the Mob

source: Rob the Mob

I had never heard of Tommy and Rosie Uva before seeing "Rob the Mob", so that makes the story all the more impressive. It's not a great movie - no "Bonnie and Clyde" by any stretch - but still worth seeing. Stealing from mafiosos is the sort of thing that would be fun to do, if incredibly dangerous; imagine stealing from thugs and coming across a list that could put every one of them away! It's not something that I would risk doing, but the movie makes it look as if Tommy Uva enjoyed doing it. He's the type of guy whom you just gotta love. I will admit that most of the mafia characters come across as caricatures (hot-headed wise guys), but that doesn't weaken the movie. I liked it.

This film is by no means Oscar material, but it is very entertaining, and I'm surprised that it was barely released out to theaters before going onto DVD. If this wasn't based on a true story, it would be unbelievable, but since this did really happen in 1992 (I'm sure there are embellishments in the film, of course), it really is an amazing story. I didn't care much for Michael Pitt as one of the robbers, but his girlfriend/fiancée, played my Nina Arianda does a great job. Also excellent in supporting roles are Griffin Dunne, Andy Garcia, and shockingly, Ray Romano as a newspaper columnist. This film is very "New York" in style, attitude, and accent, so maybe that was a turnoff to some people. But not to me.

I must say I liked the premise of the film and was intrigued that this was based on a true story. However, this movie failed for me because of a poorly written script. I agree with the reviewer who said the filmmakers really blew it when they didn't pivot the movie on the discovery of "The List." My Gripes Are As Follows: 1) They had way too many make out scenes between Tommy and Rosie; 2) Every scene with the mafioso dragged on with terribly clichéd conversations; 3) Andy Garcia's scenes shouted "I'm in this movie 'cuz I gotta pay for my son's college tuition."; 4) Child actors should be banned from films-- Big Al's (Garcia's) grandson was jaw- droppingly pathetic; 5) Ray Romano has little gravitas as a dramatic actor; 6) I agree with the reviewer who said Andy Garcia looked more like a rabbi than a mob boss. That beard was downright distracting and totally out of character. I also agree with the reviewer who said that the film seriously lacked a musical score. Sadly, this has been a trend for many years in the filmmaking industry. There are just very few good musical scores out there. Did I mention this film had a lousy script?

It's 1991 NYC. Rosie (Nina Arianda) and Tommy Uva (Michael Pitt) are small time stick up armed robbers. They get caught robbing a florist. After 18 months, Rosie is working at debt collecting. He gets released from jail and she gets him a job at the agency. Tommy comes up with an idea to rob mafia social clubs which doesn't allow guns inside and everybody has lots of cash. He has issues with the mob getting rough with his father. Mob boss Big Al (Andy García) doesn't want to kill them with all the heat. Then they hit a joint that is being monitored by FBI Agent Frank Hurd (Frank Whaley). This is a quirky little Bonnie and Clyde story. The acting is pretty good and the story is sort of interesting. The main thing missing is some intensity. Raymond De Felitta doesn't have the intense directing style. He's more of a quirky family drama guy. The couple has a few fun moments. The rest of the movie needs to be either much more funny or much more intense. Part of the problem is the lack of energetic music. This movie should have lots of fun period music. It could be a hilarious comedy or a dark intense period piece. This isn't much of either.

Current rating 6.3. Final rating should be 3.6 What person says to another who is wearing a mask and holding a loaded weapon: "If I ever find you, I'm going to kill you". What possibly could the guy with the gun do. Let's think about this... he could run away and let the guy who threatened to kill him find him and kill him or, oh yes, he could simply shoot him dead right there and then. That is what he should have done. But, oh no, he doesn't otherwise the story - and the film would probably end right there. So he runs away to his car. The fact that the stupid hero couldn't then get into his own car and his girlfriend took off in reverse gear just adds to the complete stupidity of this film. Don't waste your time on it. Garbage.

Review: This movie had a great concept which was badly executed by the director. If the storyline wasn't based on a true story, I would have said that it was far fetched because the director made it out to be a comedy more than a serious crime story. Basically the story is about a small time crook who lives with his girlfriend and they are finding it hard to make ends meet. After visiting the courtroom during Gotti's trial, Tommy hears that the mob don't like carrying guns so be comes up with the smart idea to rob them. Stupid but true! I couldn't believe that Tommy didn't wear a face mask or try and lay low so he didn't get caught. Anyway, the concept had all the makings for a great movie, but the actors that were playing the leads were a bad choice by the director. During one of the robberies, Tommy gets his hands on a list which contains all of the names and connections in the mob. That alone could have made a great movie but the director made a right mess of it. The only reason why I'm glad that I watched the movie was because I learnt about the list and the stupidity of this couple who should have moved miles away, after robbing so much money from the mob. Disappointing! Round-Up: It was good to see Andy Garcia back on the big screen, playing his usual mafia boss type role but he really was wasted in this movie. The guy who plays the main character, Michael Pitt, who looks very similar to Robert Pattinson, really wasn't the best choice for this role because he seemed like a over excited teenager who didn't have the brains or capability to pull of such a big job, time and time again. His annoying girlfriend also seemed a bit ditzy and annoying which is why I didn't real feel or care about the main characters. All the the characters who played the mob, were great but we have seen them play those type of roles before. Personally, I blame the director for not taking such a great concept seriously like Scorsese or Coppola would have. Budget: N/A Worldwide Gross: $200,000 I recommend this movie to people who are into their gangstar/comedies about a couple who rob the mob after hearing that they don't like carrying guns. 3/10

Hi Guys, I just finished watching this outstanding Movie & I felt that it was so good that I had to leave a comment that will, hopefully inspire others to watch it. One of the main things that I look for when I am watching a movie is "Do I Believe That What Is Happening In Front Of Me Feels Real", and that depends on the Script, The Acting, The Directing, The Casting, The Camera Work etc..etc...etc.., All coming together just right to re-create a story that we will be worthy of Watching. The acting in particular in this movie, is in my opinion Outstanding, particularly the 2 lead roles, played by Michael Pitt And Nina Arianda. That alone made it Feel Truly Real, please watch it because It Is "Well Worth A Watch" ..... All The Best From Captainwest !!! PS: I was unsure about the Spoiler aspect so I ticked the box anyway, just to be sure .. LOL

Based on the true story which resembles 'Bonnie and Clyde'. That's what everyone says and expressing their displeasure over this movie. But it's nothing wrong with a movie to inspire from the true event even it is similar to other stories. In this movie they gave right credit mentioning the notorious criminals couple Bonnie and Clyde. But the reason I went for it is the director of 'City Island' expecting something similar feast and it did not upset me. I absolutely enjoyed it. A couple who rob shops for a living come clean after spending few years in a correctional facility. Still, they are together and working hard, but not enough earn to pay bills. Meanwhile, the famous ongoing trial of a criminal gang that rocked the States attracts them. So they plan to rob the mob and it stunts both the end, mobs and the cops. Soon the couple becomes the target and how the story resolve is the rest which explained effectively. ''Guns and wiseguys is a bad mix. There's no doubt, this movie is fine, but the only disadvantage is that if you have already saw 'Bonnie and Clyde' then this would interest you less. Both the stories are completely different, but by the couple it is comparable. The lead couples were very good, especially Nina Adrianda and I think I saw best of her. Andy Garcia's show was missing. Being a powerful underworld kingpin, his character won't stand up to the standards of the title. When 'Bonnie and Clyde' meets 'Goodfellas', this is not what we anticipated, instead a crucial clash. In the end, I think it stood true to the real story, that is what all matters. I still feel it is a nice flick to give a try if you like the gangster theme. 7.5/10

Troubled young man (Michael Pitt) with nothing going for him except love from his phenomenally loyal girlfriend (Nina Arianda), decides to do something insane,steal from the mob and be some kind of modern Robin Hood. The problem is that he does this for his and his girls well-being. For the money and long stored grudge against the mob. I liked this movie because of loyalty and uncommon love between not so perfect people, for reminding the people of weight that the phrase "for better or worse" brings with itself. P.S. Both main actors is maybe the thing that made this movie so great for me. Maybe my standards are low but this movie made my night exceptional.