After serving prison time for a juvenile offense, Freddo gathers his old buddies Libano and Dandi and embarks on a crime spree that makes the trio the most powerful gangsters in Rome. Libano loves their new status, and seeks to spread their influence throughout the underworld, while the other two pursue more fleshly desires. For decades, their gang perpetrates extravagant crimes, until paranoia threatens to split the friends apart.
Even though the story reputedly portrays a real gang of street punks that did rise to some power in Rome from 1977-92, the movie feels totally generic.
– Kirk Honeycutt,
Hollywood Reporter,
25 Apr 2006
fresh:
First half plays as a respectable addition to the classic ensemble gangland genre, offering a gangster's-eye view of recent Italo history.
– Jay Weissberg,
Variety,
25 Apr 2006
rotten:
The storytelling here is murkier than required, causing the pace to flag alarmingly in the second half.
– Trevor Johnston,
Time Out,
2 Nov 2006
rotten:
In short, Romanzo Criminale is interesting at first before overstaying its welcome and growing ever more tedious.
– Rick Groen,
Globe and Mail,
6 Jul 2007
fresh:
The universal nature of crime -- and its dark appeal -- is driven home with bullets and bravado.