Crazy Joe is no Scarface but, a Solid Mob Movie
My passion for film is specific: retro sci-fi, retro horror, cult classics, and Kung Fu theater sum it up. But there’s another genre I admire—Mobster movies. Finding good ones can be challenging, but classics like The Godfather (read my blog on this one here), Goodfellas (read my blog on this one here), and Scarface stand out. Crazy Joe adds to this list, offering another good mob movie. While it borrows elements from others, it’s uniquely original. Who doesn’t love a leg-breaking over a gambling debt or a deal that can’t be refused? I’m no professional film critic but read on for my thoughts on Crazy Joe.
Crazy Joe’s Mob Moves: A Cemented Legacy
First, let’s discuss the mob elements in Crazy Joe. If you’re familiar with the phrase “making someone wear concrete shoes,” you understand mob moves in movies. Crazy Joe delivers these classic mob moves, including a chilling scene where Joe and his crew encase a man in concrete at a construction site. This makes you wonder how many buildings in New York have skeletons in their foundations. The movie features all the stereotypical mob movie signatures, including backroom meetings in Italian restaurants, aggressive negotiations, and more. Despite this familiarity, Crazy Joe offers fresh takes on these tropes.
Italian Dedication: Loyalty in Crazy Joe
I recall my college days at Greenville Tech, where a friend from Medellin, Colombia, shared stories about Pablo Escobar. Pablo was known for his generosity towards the local community, which earned him loyalty and respect. This loyalty meant that when authorities came knocking, nobody knew anything. Crazy Joe reflects a similar Italian dedication to their communities. Sammy “The Bull” Gravano talks about “hitting the mattresses” in his latest interview with Soft White Underbelly, which means living with your squad in a hidden location during a mafia war. Crazy Joe features a segment that highlights this custom, showcasing how the mob values loyalty and community.
Weaponizing Unity: The Union in Crazy Joe
Another intriguing element in Crazy Joe is the use of unions. While I’m not an expert, one mob member organizes an Italian Union to launder money and unify Italians against the police. This reminded me of the American Civil Rights Movement. When the entire Italian community is unified, their numbers outweigh the authorities. Crazy Joe showcases the weaponization of unity, where the mob turns the police’s actions into an attack on the entire Italian community, inciting anger and political movements. This aspect is often overlooked in mob movies, but it’s likely rooted in reality.
Unconventional Alliances: Power in Unity with Crazy Joe
Crazy Joe also explores unconventional alliances. Joe befriends a Black man in prison who is also gang-affiliated. Once released, they team up, merging their squads to amplify their influence and capabilities. This partnership mirrors how, in times of crisis, people can set aside differences to achieve common goals. For instance, after September 11th, Americans came together, putting aside political agendas. Joe and his friend’s trust and respect for each other allow them to accomplish things they couldn’t have done alone. Although I’m not a mafia expert, I’m sure similar alliances have occurred in history.
Visual Treats: Cars, Guns, and Iron Lungs in Crazy Joe
No Invisible Katana Artwork blog is complete without discussing elements of the movie unrelated to the plot. As expected in a mob movie, Crazy Joe features plenty of guns, but the cars were a highlight. The 1959 Plymouth particularly stood out. I once found a complete one in a junkyard, but it was gone when my friend returned the next day with a wrecker. There’s also an International Harvester in the movie used for something far more sinister than its intended purpose. Beyond cars and guns, Crazy Joe offers visual treats like an iron lung and a Hollywood film crew at work. Filmed in New York, the movie showcases the city with night shots, neon lights, and unique angles. The cast includes Peter Boyle, Eli Wallach, and even Henry Winkler, making it hard to see him as anyone other than the Happy Days bad boy.
Crazy Joe: A Solid Mob Movie Below The Godfather's Bar
Crazy Joe isn’t Goodfellas, The Godfather, or Scarface, but it’s still a solid mob movie. While the story is good, the acting great, and the characters well-developed, it doesn’t surpass the classics. It’s no surprise, though – The Godfather set the bar so high that competing is always challenging. What other good mob movies are out there? Please, educate me. I will watch and blog! Support me by sharing and liking this blog. Follow my journey through art on social media, check out my website, and consider purchasing some original art here. Peace.