Known for his films about the darker chapters of Italian history, director and co-writer Marco Bellochio's latest biopic, relates the story of Cosa Nostra's Tommaso (Masino) Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino), the first mafia boss who broke the code of silence, the omertà, by becoming an informant, a pentito, to anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone (Fausto Russo Alesi). His statements led to the arrest of hundreds of mobsters and the largest anti-mafia trial in history, the Maxi Trial, lasting from 1986 to 1992, in which Buscetta agreed to testify.
Set against a 20 years backdrop of Sicilian mafia history, from 1980 to 2000, Italy's entry for the 2020 Academy Awards Best International Feature Film centers on the struggle between humanity and power. Rather than perceiving himself as a pentito, Buscetta believes that the real traitor is Totò Riina's (Nicola Calì) Corleon mob, who broke the code of honor by abandoning the sacredness of family and respect, in favor of greed and absolute power.
In a career-best performance, Favino's poise as a mobster figure is compelling and convincing. Besides the good performance of Luigi Lo Cascio as Totuccio Contorno, Fabrizio Ferracane shines as the villain Pippo Calò. Providing levity is Vincenzo Pirrotta as Luciano Leggio, one of the highest-ranking bosses brought to trial.
At 152 minutes, the immersive narrative blends mob violence, drama, and a stimulating mega trial lightned by dark comedy. Accentuated by Nicola Piovani’s operaric score, are Vladan Radovic’s tone setting lensing and the vibrant period set designs representing Sicily, Rome, Brazil and the United States.
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