Turn of Faith

Rating:
Summary: A Real Sleeper
Review: Don't miss this one. If you like a good thriller and drama that leaves you satisfied this is the one. Well cast with Ray Mancini in the lead and Charles Durning in a terrific character role that's right up his alley. It was good to see Tom Atkins again whom I remembered from "The Fog". And of course there's Tony Sirico. If ever there was an actor born to be the heavy and tough guy it's Tony. Watch Mia Sara as Joey's wife; a surprise you won't expect. The plotline and dialogue are excellent. You won't have to think why this happrned or why this was said. It flows very smoothly. All in all, I recommend this film with pleasure. Don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: BOOM BOOM
Review: Former boxer Ray Mancini not only stars in this "Sopranos" like drama, but he also produced it, making sure I guess he got the starring role. At any rate, TURN OF FAITH solidifies the sad state our society has evolved to, in that we want to glamorize and sanitize gangsters.
Mancini plays Joey, one of three friends who grew up together; one of his friends is a priest and the other is a hitman for the local mafia. The plot revolves around the doings of Philly, overplayed but convincingly so, by the durable Charles Durning. He controls the union, and with an upcoming election, wants to make sure he continues to do so. The new union wannabe (played by Tom Atkins "Fog" "Halloween III") is ahead in the polls so it looks like Durning and his thugs have work to do. This includes taking on Joey's friend Bobby (played by a chunky Costas Mandylor) to do his dirty work. Mia Sara as Joey's wife and Alan Gelfant as priest Frankie, round out the cast.
All the usual cliches play themselves out; when Bobby kills Atkins and his henchman, the law is out for Bobby.
Here's where the SOPRANOS influence hits hard: Bobby has coldbloodedly killed two men, and yet, the audience is supposed to sympathize with him and write this off? The inevitable happens and Durning faces his three foes in a somewhat incredible climax.
So, why three stars? It's gripping, if derivative; and the acting is way above the level of its script. But, face it folks, bad guys are bad guys, and Hollywood needs to stop elevating them to sainthood.

Rating:
Summary: BOOM BOOM
Review: Former boxer Ray Mancini not only stars in this "Sopranos" like drama, but he also produced it, making sure I guess he got the starring role. At any rate, TURN OF FAITH solidifies the sad state our society has evolved to, in that we want to glamorize and sanitize gangsters.
Mancini plays Joey, one of three friends who grew up together; one of his friends is a priest and the other is a hitman for the local mafia. The plot revolves around the doings of Philly, overplayed but convincingly so, by the durable Charles Durning. He controls the union, and with an upcoming election, wants to make sure he continues to do so. The new union wannabe (played by Tom Atkins "Fog" "Halloween III") is ahead in the polls so it looks like Durning and his thugs have work to do. This includes taking on Joey's friend Bobby (played by a chunky Costas Mandylor) to do his dirty work. Mia Sara as Joey's wife and Alan Gelfant as priest Frankie, round out the cast.
All the usual cliches play themselves out; when Bobby kills Atkins and his henchman, the law is out for Bobby.
Here's where the SOPRANOS influence hits hard: Bobby has coldbloodedly killed two men, and yet, the audience is supposed to sympathize with him and write this off? The inevitable happens and Durning faces his three foes in a somewhat incredible climax.
So, why three stars? It's gripping, if derivative; and the acting is way above the level of its script. But, face it folks, bad guys are bad guys, and Hollywood needs to stop elevating them to sainthood.