Family Enforcer

Rating:
Summary: Overly Lit Enforcer
Review: Essentially, buying this DVD is equivalent to paying for a cover picture of Joe Pesci. If you really want a small little picture of Joe Pesci in his first movie and have some use for a little mini frisbee, then buy this movie.

The plot itself seems to have no connection whatsoever. Joe Pesci is not even the star of the movie. He ends up dead in an ice box in a Ramada Hotel in New Jersey, along with his stupid sneaker wearing friend Serge. They are both slain by a Shaft look-alike assassin. This loss is heartbreaking to the main character who proceeds to sabotage Shaft's car, and he shoots him in the chest with his sawed-off shotgun.

Of course within this entire plot, there are a plethora of useless scenes. For example, Pesci and pals are in the hotel lounge throwing peanuts at the lounge singer. None of these scenes have anything to do with the movie. Then to top it all off, the same black Cadillac is driven by at least three different people. However, the only thing that saves this movie is the lighting. In some of the scenes it is impossible to make out some objects because there is so much light on them. The director chose to make people's faces glow, and the sky became a brilliant white. Similarly all windows blazed with whiteness. All the light reminds me of the fire that I threw this movie into after I finished watching it.

Rating:
Summary: Gangster film buffs should see it
Review: Family Enforcer

This low budget film had very little point to the plot. Scenes and events were depicted with little or no judgement by the director; he acted as a silent narrator to tell a story. The thing is, I liked this little movie quite a bit. Even though it looked like an 8-mm home movie, there were moments of surprisingly good acting and scene tension. I was really interested to see what happened next.

Basically, this guy, played by Cortese, needs money so he gets a job collecting for a small time don who likes Cortese for some unknown reason. Cortese is not particularly appealing, and he's a loose cannon who refuses to give respect to the families when he feels that respect is unearned. This doesn't make him a hero. It just makes him stupid considering with whom he deals. Cortese has zero screen charisma. He's not that attractive, which wouldn't matter if there were something about his character that was even remotely compelling, but it just ain't there. The funny thing is, the other characters in the movie treat this mediocre meat puppet as if he's something special. Mainly he just pisses off the wrong people and causes problems for everybody around him. What's not to love?

Joe Pesci doesn't look that different in 1971 as he does in 2001 except he's got a lot more hair. He ain't pretty, but he lights up the screen in every scene in which he appears. He is the master of understatement, making what he says count for so much. Pesci mixes drama, comedy, and violence into a perfect blend for his character. As usual, Pesci holds an audience in the palm of his hand, because whatever his character says, Pesci will make interesting. I don't understand why people don't worship this guy as god.

The film is typical seventies machismo and there are no three dimensional female characters. The appearance of women in the film is incidental and then only for full frontal nudity and to tell Mr. Tortellini he has a phone call. There is a girlfriend, but mainly her job is simpering around the main character. The movie doesn't really care what she has to say; it's just that a real man needs a woman around.

I suspect even in all its crudity, Family Enforcer is more of a real slice of lower echelon Family machinations than anything presented thus far on the screen. I feel as if Little Guido ran around with his home movie cam and did A Day in the Life on his Uncle Vinnie and I got to watch. I can find a hundred flaws in this film. I also liked it. I'd watch it again.

I give it 3 1\2 Gats.

Rating:
Summary: Don't trust anybody on these mean streets...
Review: I bought this dvd expecting nothing more than a cheap Godfather rip-off. Man, was I wrong! This is said to be Joe Pesci's first movie but I'm not sure. As other reviewers have said, don't be misled by the dvd cover: Joe Pesci IS NOT the star. Joseph Cortese (who looks exactly like a young Martin Sheen) stars as a "collector" for the local mob boss who is a father figure to him. Cortese has a hot temper which gets him into deeper & deeper trouble as the movie progresses. His best friend is played by Joe Pesci who we all know & love from Goodfellas & Casino (among others). This also has a young Frank Vincent (who was also in Goodfellas & Casino). And in case you're wondering, this is not a Godfather rip-off. This stands alone as a mob classic with very good performances, a sharp script (written by the director, Ralph De Vito), & a bloody climax that rivals James Caan's massacre in Godfather! This also has a funky 70's soundtrack that reminds me of Shaft!

Here's just a sampling of the witty dialogue:
"You know, you're livin' in a state of sin."
"Really? I thought I was livin' in the state of New Jersey."

"What time d'you think we get out of here tonight?"
"What's a matter, you miss your girl?"
"No, I miss YOUR girl."

For any fans of mob movies this is a definite must-see & is bargain priced. The picture & sound quality aren't too hot but why complain? Trust me, with this dvd you're definitely getting the most "bang for your buck".



Rating:
Summary: Incident that happened while they were shooting the movie
Review: I knew Pesci in the 1980's.

He used to live in a hotel on Central Park West that I would go to. At the same time Cortese the star of this movie, also happened to be staying there as well.

I recognized Cortese from the movie. I saw it when it was playing. Cortese was very surprised that I was actually one of the few that saw it (that's the way he put it), any way I saw Pesci and told him I saw this movie and that Cortese was staying in the hotel. I did not remember Pesci from that movie at the time.

Pesci is a very small guy, but he is tough guy. He used to spar with Roberto Duran who also spent time in the hotel when in NY.

Pesci told me on the set he and Cortese had a argument that led to a fist fight. Cortese is not a small guy, but I found him to be a friendly guy. They both were, but not with each other. Pesci told me he beat up Cortese in that fight.

That is straight from Pesci. I did not ask Cortese about it. I wonder what his version would have been?

I never saw both of these guys at the same time at the hotel. I guess they were not "Friends."

Rating:
Summary: good obscure gangster film
Review: I stumbled upon this film at a local video store. Aside from Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent, most of the actors are pretty much unknown. The plot of the story is solid and believable, but the picture quality is very poor (and this is the DVD version!) and the soundtrack and the time-to-time nudity makes it seem like a cheesy porno flick. Joe Pesci's character, Joey is simalar to the phsyco character he portrayed in "Goodfellas". Another unique aspect is that the main hitman is African-American (Keith Davis), pretty rare for a Mafia movie. Based in New Jersey it's pretty much a 90 minute episode of "The Sopranos" before the series was even thought of! This would make a great remake. If you can survive the poor picture quality, you'll probably enjoy this film.



Rating:
Summary: Pesci is a god! Best unknown Italian classic!
Review: The Italian Goomba's Wardrobe (as seen in Family Enforcer):

Business Wear
For dress suits, dark colored dress shirts (black, dark green, red, gray) can be worn with either a very bright floral-patterned necktie to offset the dark shirt, or an equally dark tie can also be worn to blend in with the shirt. It's your option. Solid ties go great with any dress shirt. A dark red tie over a dark red shirt is perfect, as is a dark green tie over a dark red shirt, or any appropriate color combo. It's either solid ties or very elaborate ties. No preppy polka dots or stripes or corny cartoon characters are allowed. Your jacket and pants should match colors and also be dark (either gray, black or brown). If you are wearing a pair of pants that's one color and a different colored jacket, make sure that either the jacket or pants match the shirt color. When a tie is required at real formal events, this is the type of outfit to wear. But most of the time, the goomba will be in business casual or casual wear. The brands don't really matter all that much, a plus is always looking for something with an Italian label. Usually the most expensive thing on this outfit is the shoes. Must be black and always looking new.

Business Casual
Dark colored silk or cotton buttoned-down shirts with elaborate designs and tropical Hawaiian style shirts with palm trees or bright floral prints are the signature guido shirts. Usually worn over a white or black guinea tee shirt and underneath a black or gray blazer with matching dress pants. Not khaki pants or jeans, a nice pair of pants. Not tight pants either, loose-fitting, with a nice belt and shiny black shoes. On hot days, the outfit may be worn minus the jacket and the shirt may be worn outside of the pants. Make sure the bottom of the shirt isn't frayed or worn-out on those conditions. This is the typical outfit to wear when a tie is not required. Usually this is an out-to-dinner or club outfit. Once again, the brands don't really matter all that much, just look for that Italian label and you will be alright. It doesn't have to be Armani, Alfani is just as good.

Casual Wear
Dark colored jogging suits are the prototypical casual outfit. They are the "casual suit," worn to the bar or on "casual Friday," Sunday afternoons, and anything in between. You start with a white or black guinea tee and boxer shorts and then the matching jogging suit goes on. They come in various different materials (cotton, vinyl, velvet, etc) and they also come in various different styles. Again, you have your elaborate extreme where the jogging suit has all kinds of wild designs and colors, and then you have your plain, more basic designs. They all sport the insignia of the company that makes them---Fila is best, obviously, because it is an Italian brand. Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Perry Ellis are a few other good ones. These are usually worn at least one size too big and always with clean sneakers. Black sandals or loafers are also an option but they must be casual looking shoes and not the same ones that go with the business outfits. Having an easily recognizable matching uniform is essential, and because most guidos are a little on the heavy side, these suits flatter the body shape and are comfortable all year round. Also called running suits or track suits, but you are never running or jogging in them.

Accessories
Always wear tons of gold because it gives the impression of having money, even if that's not the case. The money that the guido does carry is in a roll with a rubber band around it with the big fazool (a ten spot) on the outside. A bracelet, a nice wristwatch, two pinkie rings, and of course, two necklaces, are always worn. The Italian horn and religious emblems (Christ on the cross, Holy Mary) are worn around the neck to show off the family heritage and religion. These accessories go with every one of the above outfits, including just a guinea tee and pair of shorts when washing the car or laying on the couch. Slicked back or spiked up hair with tons of gel is essential, along with a toothpick or cigarette in the mouth.

Sometimes, rarely, a goomba may stray from the above wardrobe. An Italy soccer shirt may be worn to the Italian carnival, or a baseball jersey with an Italian's name on the back is fine for the ballgame (Giambi if you are a Yankee fan, Piazza if you are a Mets fan). Tank tops are worn to the beach and Italian knit sweaters can be worn when hanging with your guidette by the fireplace. But most of the time, the outfits described above will be the goomba's attire. It's this look that defines a goomba from a regular American of Italian descent and from a regular Meddigan who doesn't know his heritage. The goomba is an ethnic looking paisan who plays up all the stereotypes (because most are true) and loves the guido lifestyle. And that love revolves around incorporating something Italian into each day. Whether it's clothes, food, music, movies, sports, you name it---if it has roots from the boot, it's always the goomba's preference. You will never catch a goomba wearing Abercrombie & Fitch or going to piano class or yoga. The goomba isn't blond or bald or black or Jewish or from Iowa. He has thick dark hair, brown eyes, olive skin and by following the wardrobe rules, the goomba will be mistaken for an extra on The Sopranos. But you don't have to be a gangster to be a goomba or a guido. You don't even need to speak formal Italian. As long as you have an Italian name and several nicknames, use hand gestures, speak with the goomba slang dialect and Jersey or Brooklyn accent, and have that unmistakable strut when you walk, you got it all. This is an east coast subculture that existed long before the movies or TV decided to portray it. You will know a goomba when you see one. He'll be in the pizzeria or the Italian deli ordering mozzarell' and pro-shoot. He'll be cruising around in his Mustang, Iroc Z, Pontiac, Cadillac or Corvette. No rice machines allowed. He'll be the one dancing to Angelo Venuto, Eiffel 65, and whatever is hot from the San Remo Festival. Joe Pesci is a god and Frank Sinatra is THE God. Well only God is God but you get the picture. These are the things that define a goomba. You must do these certain things to fit into this distinction and to be a part of this very exclusive club.

A note to anyone who doesn't understand where I'm coming from or who thinks I am making a mockery out of the Italian heritage:

The above piece is about GOOMBA ITALIANS, which is a very select group of Italian-Americans, who only exist in certain parts of the east coast. If someone doesn't fit into the criteria discussed above, then they are simply Italian-Americans and NOT Goombas. Anyone who looks down on the Goomba lifestyle and thinks that it is somehow a group of gangsters or gangster wannabes is confused.

That is not the case at all, and the people that do the real harm to the Italian heritage are not the happy-go-lucky Goombas, but rather the uptight "holier than thou" activists who go around protesting every portrayal of Italians on TV and in the movies because they don't live up to THEIR standards. They protest EVERYTHING from Tony Micelli to Tony Soprano and everything in between. As if someone being happy with their economic and social status is bad for society because they aren't a doctor or a professional. Or just because a guy may be concerned with his clothes and his car, he is considered stupid... Or if he wears a gold chain he is trying to emulate a mobster and he's "low-class." Or because I speak in Italian-American slang and not the formal language I am a "bastardization" of my culture! Wrong, wrong, wrong. And sad.

People who look down on Goombas are just insecure with themselves and their background and try to distance themselves from their middle class roots and are very assimilated to the dry-as-toast American meatloaf-eating society. They turn their heritage on and off like a radio when they see fit. When they feel it's appropriate to be "ethnic" they will act that way, but they will "tone it down" in certain situations. They are so afraid of people prejudging them based on their last name and thinking they are buffoons or in the Mafia. They can't relate to guys like me because automatically we are dismissed as losers because we aren't into opera or fine arts! I am not a thug and I am not a bad person because I like to put myself out there all the time and say "take it or leave it."

There are all different types of Italians, all who practice different lifestyles and concentrate on a particular part of the nationality. There are European-Italians (meaning Italians currently living in Italy), Italians born in Europe now living in America (I call them Italian-Italians), there are the non Goombas who may be Italian but just aren't obvious and outgoing about it like I am (your regular Italian-Americans). And then you have your Americanized-Italians who I call Meddigans. Those who are so American that they don't even know where their family surname originates from. Finally, of course you have your Goombas and Guidos like me. In the world we live in, everyone judges everyone else and that's just the way it is. I say, as long as you aren't hurting anyone, to each his own.

And lighten up!! Enough with the Soprano protests. As I personally display the Goomba subculture everyday, The Sopranos portrays the Mafia. Just as not every Italian is a Goomba, not every Italian is in the mob!

Movie lines from The Family Enforcer (AKA: Death Collector), 1975

"Mr. Pasta" Scene...

Jerry Bolanti: Look, I don't wanna push the point about the job because I see you're busy with your macaroni. But something comes up, you give me a call. Like that.
Anthony Iadavia: You know what that is?
Jerry Bolanti: Yeah, it's the noodles for pasta lenteek.
Anthony Iadavia: That's right! That's very good! Now listen I wanna ask you something, be very truthful with me, don't lie. When are you gonna marry that girl?
Jerry Bolanti: What?
Anthony Iadavia: I said when you gonna marry that girl?
Jerry Bolanti: Oh, you wanna know when I'm gonna marry that girl? Chicky, straighten him out, will ya? It turns out bad nowadays if you get married.
Anthony Iadavia: You know you're living in a state of sin!
Jerry Bolanti: Really? I thought I was living in the state of New Jersey.

"Gambling House" Scene...
Joey: Big time, what is it?
Jerry: Hey, Joe Ooh-Batz.
Joey: I was watchin ya gamble over there, you don't stick it in like you used to pal.
Jerry: I lost a few dollas.
Joey: Uh, you lost more than a few dollas, I was watchin... I'm broke I got no money. Look at this, I got a hunnerd dollas in my kick for a month.

Anthony: Jerry, sit, sit down. Sit right in the chair! You come to me, and tell me you're in a hole, and then I see you go for another $500. What do you thinks gonna happen when they find out you can't pay the money you owe?
Jerry: I figure they send ya a letter like Master Charge.
Anthony: No they don't send no letter. They send over Aldo and Johnny Fingers.

Rating:
Summary: OK,low-budget,crime drama..co-starring a vintage Pesci.
Review: This is the Thing, this is pesci's first film,and he's a wiseguy, he takes down scores, he has this idea for one,and gets his friends involved,after the friend is coaxed by doing a favor for the local mob boss, the film is very 70's, but it ain't so bad really, if you've got the time,and three bucks, i'd rent it, perhaps buy it, I got the DVD version, very hard to find, obscure, but this isn't a bad performance at all,and it paved the way for tommy's charactor, pesci played in goodfellas, one of my favorite films of all time, if you haven't seen either, what ya waitin for? go and see them both, pesci is one of the best actors out there, he's both funny,and intense at the same time,and I recomend this viewing, you won't be disapointed, just don't expect a big budget film, respect it for what it is, support joe.

Rating:
Summary: Great early groundbreaker
Review: This movie is also called "Family Enforcer", but "death Collector"is the original title. Re-released after Joe Pesci's rise to fame a'la "Goodfellas" et al, this movie set the stage for all those to follow, including that film. Pesci's character is a minor role in this film. It follows the career of an italian guy "in the know" (not pesci) as he becomes, by steps, a mob collector, and believe me he enjoys his work. As the film progresses, he seeks to collect a debt from a deadbeat "made guy", and he makes no exception. This of course leads to feuds and an eventual contract on his head, which is enforced. In a way (thought I don't want to spoil it) the film starts at the end. This movie has a great shoot out at the end also. Great vintage 70's imagery. Truly a lost gem. I would recommend it as "homework" if you like goodfellas, casino, heat, et al. You will recognize more than just Pesci, by the way. Stands on it's own as a very good film, and a slice of another era, the fab 70's. I particularly love when they "whack" the guy on the toilet!

Rating:
Summary: Pesci's greatest performance
Review: This story revolves around Joe Pesci's character. He is in the mob and his friend is also in the mob. He is a hot head and starts a war with another mob over an unpaid $400.00 loan. Soon revenge attacks in response to revenge attacks, etc. etc. is too much for the mob boss to tolerate because he originally advised that Joe Pesci's friend just keep the peace. In the end, the mob boss has his own guy killed because he is tired of disobeyed orders causing conflicts with rival previously on friendly terms mobs. Pesci is already dead also at this time as he always gets taken out near the end in all his mob films. That is the Pesci formula if you haven't noticed.

I hear rumors that this is Pesci's first film. Also look for cameos by Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel, and Al Pacino. Look for them but you won't find them anywhere in the film. They are not there. That's because Pesci carried this one on his own. Go Joe!

Rating:
Summary: Pesci's greatest performance
Review: This story revolves around Joe Pesci's character. He is in the mob and his friend is also in the mob. He is a hot head and starts a war with another mob over an unpaid $400.00 loan. Soon revenge attacks in response to revenge attacks, etc. etc. is too much for the mob boss to tolerate because he originally advised that Joe Pesci's friend just keep the peace. In the end, the mob boss has his own guy killed because he is tired of disobeyed orders causing conflicts with rival previously on friendly terms mobs. Pesci is already dead also at this time as he always gets taken out near the end in all his mob films. That is the Pesci formula if you haven't noticed.

I hear rumors that this is Pesci's first film. Also look for cameos by Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel, and Al Pacino. Look for them but you won't find them anywhere in the film. They are not there. That's because Pesci carried this one on his own. Go Joe!