Brooklyn Rules (2007) User Reviews

The Three Musketeers Of The Twenty First Century

[xxmyloveuxx · 7/10 · 15 January 2011]

As I go through "Brooklyn rules" DVD sitting on my rack-top for the umpteenth time, i can't help but feel disappointment deep within, not at the movie but at its fate. It is a pity that a film of this grandeur has gone through almost unnoticed by the general audience and critics. It has suffered the same dead-end that an "also ran" type movie suffers, when the truth is that it is far from one.

The first words that float into my mind when I think of this movie is 'tour-de-force'. Yes, we have been subjected to countless of these gangster films over the decades but nothing comes close to this on levels of sheer effectiveness and the connection which it is able to make with the audience. The three protagonists right from their childhood to the untimely demise of one of them, take us on a unforgettable journey, made so not by any dramatic twists in the script or by any enchanting visual imagery in the movie (if you are looking for these things, I would suggest a re-watch of Avatar or perhaps some Justin Beiber), but by the simpleness of the script.

Mike, Carmine and Bobby- the heroes of this tale- have a chemistry going on between them that almost makes you believe in them, believe that what is happening in front of you is real. What most of us are not lucky enough to experience is having childhood friends and still being their closest buddies when we grow old, the joy of calling these friends names, the persistent attempt to one-up each other, the wonder of always sharing our moments of joy, sorrow, and things we love most with them and finally even being willing to kill for them. And it is this true friendship that the movie depicts and does so in a manner that makes you believe in what you are seeing despite their difference in personality and inclinations and despite their differences in education. And this is what later makes you feel the pain of two of our lone warriors left behind when one of the pack leaves them forever in the battlefield that is life. The reactions and the expressions in this leaves no place for superficiality, it is just as if the things are happening to you or me or to a next door neighbor- the film succeeds in depicting the trios life to such a big extent, and herein lies its greatness.

I have all but the greatest respect for Corrente in making the lives three ordinary boys living in a unruly district into this extraordinary film, and yet warn you all the same, that if you haven't watched this yet then don't go in expecting great things cause then you might not find them, but if you just go in to experience something, then I would bet you a thousand bucks that you will come back more full-filled from it and with the knowledge that the 100 minutes of your life were indeed well spent. Watching this movie was indeed a life changing episode for me and I enjoyed it as much as watching the first edition of Rocky (note that I compare the two because these are both simple and yet really powerful movies). The movie is aptly summarized in the conclusive scene by Michael Turner in reminiscence of his departed friend, when he says that wherever you go, and whatever you do- you are never far apart from your true friends and not even death can separate you from them for you always carry them in your heart. And this is exactly what this movie is all about. Their immortal friendship. And so if it is in the case of true friendship, that even if fate has the worst in store for you, you needn't bother as you live forever in the memory of your friends then the same goes for this movie as it will always live on, in the memory of us few faithful followers who could grasp its true meaning.

The Sopranos it is not, but...

[EXodus25X · 7/10 · 27 July 2008]

I have to say I was presently surprised by this little film, I expected way less then I got. That's not to say that this is a fantastic film but it's a good one. It does a great job of representing a believable friendship between it's three main characters. I once again have to gripe of the pointless and sub par acted female character who is injected for the point of having one and doesn't add much to the film. Alec Baldwin is great as he usually is, and the three main characters are both well acted and believable unlike their accents but that's not important here. The story may be filled with a few clichés but the friendship of the characters make it work well enough to pull you into the story, not immerse you in it but keep your interest. I don't want to say Freddie Prinze was amazing but he was rather good, I wish he would lean more into films like this and stay away from any romantic comedy/dramas for a little while, play a villain or something, I do believe he has the talent it's just that he gets type cast in those romantic roles. Anyway, the film was surprisingly good, as was the story and the acting. Don't expect the Sopranos, Goodfellas and definitely not The Godfather and you won't be disappointed.

Scorsese lite: lackluster gangster drama back in the day

[george.schmidt · 5/10 · 21 May 2007]

BROOKLYN RULES (2007) ** Alec Baldwin, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Scott Caan, Mena Suvari, Jerry Ferrara, Monica Keena. (Dir: Michael Corrente)

Scorsese lite: lackluster gangster drama back in the day

Ever since Martin Scorsese made his bones as a filmmaker with MEAN STREETS and GOODFELLAS there seems to be a flood of rip-offs or as they would like to think 'homage' to the master who made made men respectable for the average cinephile who could get there violence graphic and anti-heroes even more complex.

However the latest attempt to score a hit for The Mob is a rather lackluster gangster drama set back in the day: specifically Brooklyn circa 1985.

The focus is on a trio of childhood chums who've seen the brutality of the streets but are none-the-wiser: Michael Turner (Prinze,, Mr. Zero Charisma himself), as the narrator of the flashback driven story, who has Ivy League dreams of becoming a lawyer; his hot-headed goomba wannabe thug bud Carmine Mancuso (Caan, continuing his cottage industry of short-fused jerk-offs) and their sweet but dumb buddy Bobby Canzoneri (Ferrera of HBO's "Entourage" who I can't stomach at all nor the series come to mention it). The three friends are on aimless existences with Michael trying to maintain the straight and narrow path for a stable, normal life preferably from the concrete jungles of his environs while seeing Carmine becoming further corrupted by the local mobster Caesar Manganaro (Baldwin, the best thing about this otherwise tedious affair), a shifty-eyed yet charismatic capo who has his fingers in many pies and shows his true colors for violence in one memorable sequence involving a competitor in the refuse removal business and a meat slicer in the butcher joint Michael works.

While the script by vet scribe Terence Winter ("The Sopranos") intersperses real life gangsters from the era into the storyline the lines are a bit forced and predictable for the outcome for the trio's fates and the characters feel like cardboard facsimiles of other genre films like the aforementioned Scorsese canon.

Director Corrente (who made a decent debut years back with FEDERAL HILL) does the best he can with the familiar material but ultimately can't infuse the stock material with any real energy (accept for a decent fist-fight in a diner). That can pretty much some up the entire film as a whole.

Pretty good movie... Read this review!

[skellbag · 1 June 2007]

OK, this isn't the best Brooklyn-coming-of-age-in-the-midst-of-wiseguys movie ever made, but all in all I think it was pretty good.

First off, I think all the acting was pretty good. A great turn from Jerry Ferrara, "entourage"s Turtle. One may think from watching that show that this kid was plucked off the streets of Bensonhurst (where's he's from... and I am too) to be on the show, and is a one-trick-pony, but, he gave a great, nuanced, sweet performance of a character that was nothing like his "entourage" alter ego. Kudos to him. I look forward to seeing him in more films, growing as an actor. He was likable, believable, and genuine.

Scott Cahn was excellent. He played his character, one that isn't new in mob-related films, with intensity, humor, and honesty. While his character Carmine may be bordering on a life of crime, he kept the character's heart in tact. I swear moments in this film reminded me of his dad... in a good way.

Freddie Prinze Jr, who'ds I've never seen in a "real movie", was pretty good in this too. Out of the three though, he seemed the most out of place, but, I felt he tried hard and played the role with conviction. His and Mena Suvari's (another actor who I felt didn't fit this film) romance plot line was one the movie could have done without. Upper crust girl falls for and inspires scrubby neighborhood guy to shoot for the stars. It's been done before, and it didn't need to be done again. ANyway, I think if this kid had more roles like this to beef him up, he'd become a pretty good actor. He's not BAD now... but he'd get better for sure doing character driven films like this.

Alec Baldwin, who I think is always entertaining, did a good job in this as the local neighborhood mob boss. He didn't ham it up or go over the top as he sometimes does. He did a nice understated job that suited the character. He was likable, but also had that sheen of danger about him. Good work for this kind of character.

The Brooklyn setting (basically the neighborhoods visited in this are Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Bay Ridge, and Dyker Heights) were genuine (Pastels was a nice touch... and if you're from this neighborhood, you'd agree). The backdrop plot line of the "rise of John Gotti" was a cool one to see everything eveolve around. It hasn't really been touched upon except for on those not-very-great TV movies about Gotti and Sammy "The Rat" Gravano. I thought it was a nice touch. Ss were the scenes with Bobby's family. Perfect! It had comedy, drama, believable characters, and while it may not be the greatest movie ... mob related or not... it had heart. I dug it. It's worth a view.

PS. Someone mentioned in their review that if you're gonna use The Stones in your mob movie soundtrack, you shouldn't use songs already used in other mob movies. Well, to correct them, the only Stones song in this flick is "Sympathy for the Devil"... which to my knowledge was never used in another mob movie. And anyway, Scorcsese used "Gimme Shelter" in not one but TWO of his films. I guess he should be chastised even more for ripping himself off, huh?

OK but predictable gangster pic

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 15 September 2008]

This film was written by Terence Winter, one of the driving forces behind the Sopranos TV series and, given the reputation of that show (which I have to admit to never having seen), I was quite surprised by the routine nature of this film. Freddie Prinze Jr. finds himself out of his depth as Michael, a Brooklyn kid half-scamming his way through law school while trying to avoid becoming sucked into the mob life so adored by Carmine (Scott Caan), one of his closest friends.

Much of the problem lies with the fact that everything that happens here we have seen before in better, more original gangster flicks. The story is OK, but the script rarely rises above the pedestrian and, despite some rather clumsy attempts to insert a number of 80s pop culture references there is no real feeling for time or place. Alec Baldwin, who appears as the local mob ruler is by far the best thing about this film. In fact, Baldwin's pretty good in everything he does these days, having successfully negotiated the thorny transition from leading man to character actor without falling foul of the pitfalls encountered by some of his contemporaries. The best scenes in the film are the ones in which he appears and aren't just the most violent incidents. There is more insight into the workings of the mob in the scene in which Baldwin sits down with another gangster to iron out a few issues between Michael and the local mob psycho than there is in the beatings and shootings, etc.

Scott Caan is memorable, but it's difficult to be sure whether it is because he gives a good performance in his own right or because in a number of scenes he is so reminiscent of his father playing Sonny Corleone.

While there's nothing new here, the picture is entertaining enough and is a relatively painless experience.

Brooklyn underground

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 20 August 2008]

Coming from the people involved in the production of this film, the end result feels like a disappointment. "Brooklyn Rules" is a mishmash of better made movies of the genre. Directed by Michael Corrente with a screen play by Terence Winter, the film wants to capitalize on events of the past mixed with fictional characters that are one dimensional, at best.

We don't believe for a moment in Michael, the central figure of the trio of friends that are portrayed in the story. Michael is a cheater who tries to push his way around with his political science professor when he pretends to have turned an exam and hasn't received a grade. At the same time, he is horrified by Carmine, the rotten apple in the story who will probably get involved with the same criminal element he cozies up to. The last one of the friends, the simple minded Bobby, seems to live in a different world wishing to be a postal worker with a meager income.

Perhaps the creators of "Brooklyn Rules" started out to make a different movie, but unfortunately what comes up on the screen is a bland excuse filled with clichés. Perhaps the casting of Freddy Prince Jr. throws the movie out of balance. An otherwise fair actor of lighter fare, Mr. Prince Jr. doesn't add anything to the character of Michael. Scott Caan, shows a bit of an edge in his Carmine. Alex Baldwin has some good moments in a part that goes from being a suave gangster to the evil mind that can inflict a lot of pain to his enemies.

Nice little script, shitty casting

[mvanesch · 6/10 · 4 October 2007]

Saw the movie last night mainly because the script seemed OK to me. 90 minutes later the script was indeed pretty good, but the casting was done very bad. None of the actors could play a good mobster. Freddy prince should keep it at comedies if you ask me. He can't even play a good friend :)

Some scenes are copied from other movies like goodfellas and once upon a time, but where those films kept you interested, this movie never gets on full speed. Even the final praying scene with bobby is done very very very bad. Before the bullets are fired you can see the shooter looking in the car for a few seconds and so he could clearly see that bobby was not driving anymore.

Authentic and brutally real.

[michaelRokeefe · 7/10 · 3 October 2007]

In 1985 Brooklyn, three boyhood friends come of age on the very streets they know like the back of their hand. Michael(Freddie Prinze Jr), Carmine(Scott Caan) and Bobby(Jerry Ferrara)witness power through brutality first hand up close and personal. Michael actually wants to leave the streets and scam his way through law school. Bobby is like the cheapskate, mama's boy who longs for the simple life and is working toward passing the Postal Service exam. Carmine is the self-professed lady-killer, who is impressed with the Mafia lifestyle and his hero is mobster Caesar Manganaro(Alec Baldwin). Fond memories of the past are in jeopardy as the harsh wise guy ruled streets personally touch the boyhood friend's lives. The cast also includes: Mena Suvari, Monica Keena, Chris Caldovino, Robert Turano and Phyllis Kay.

Great film. Instant classic of the coming of age genre

[stickler-2 · 9/10 · 31 August 2005]

Went to a screening last night and was blown away. Michael Corrente is the kind of director that is in short supply these days. With all the garbage coming out of Hollywood, he has resisted the temptation to head west and make more $ and has instead stuck to his roots. Brooklyn Rules is a powerful independent film with a very realistic take on the coming of age genre. The cast is top notch. The stars and supporting characters ring incredibly true. I'm not going to list all the names (and there are some of the top actors out there) but just look at the credits and know that each of the actors did some of his/her best work to date. Scenes of the three best friends growing together are inter-cut with elements of harrowing violence and blossoming love. The total effect is one that left me wondering why so few films have the balance of Brooklyn Rules. So many are all out in one direction. Hyper violence- or total sex for 90 minutes. This movie has classical composition and pacing yet is completely original in it's own way. A harrowing portrait of learning the horrors of the modern city life. The soundtrack is amazing on its own. Kudos to all involved- Great job!

don't let this one out of Brooklyn

[adamtolife · 6/10 · 28 December 2008]

I'm a huge mob film fan and The Sopranos was one of the greatest things to ever happen to my life so i expected 'Brooklyn Rules' to further affirm my belief that being a mobster is the greatest thing a man can do... unfortunately it didn't really help a great deal.

As i always seem to end up saying, this certainly wasn't a bad movie, i just expected a bit more from Terence Winter. The plot is very typical, three young kids grow up in the same neighborhood, one turns over to the mob lifestyle, the others follow different paths... i won't spoil you're enjoyment but yeah it's very typical, it reminded me a lot of 'The Black Donnellys' television series if it was set in the 80's. Mena Suvari is superb, Freddie Prinze Jr. struggles to grasp the new york accent and Alec Baldwin is... well... Alec Baldwin.

If you enjoy any mob film then definitely check this out as it won't harm you one bit but if you're just looking for a casual watch then you're better off digging out 'A Bronx Tale' again.

These guys must be promoting the movie

[sammybaldwin · 3/10 · 18 May 2007]

From the dialogue to the soundtrack, I felt like this movie was grabbing from other classic mob movies.

There were even direct quotes! ex: a conversation between freddie prinze jr and scott cahn about whether or not it was better to be loved or feared... come on! ... It was like listening to fingernails going down a chalkboard to here these two guys butchering one of the great mob movie moments between Sonny & C in A Bronx Tale.

The dramatic role was clearly too much for Freddie to handle. Scott Cahn and Alec Baldwin were bright spots, but there were too many other awkward moments that seemed like a collision between your typical romantic comedy and a bad mob movie.

If you're going to use the Stones in a mob movie soundtrack... at least pick songs that have not been used in other mob movies.

Don't waste your money and pay to see this in the theater. Its a rental.

Brooklyn Rules

[kevsharkey · 9/10 · 22 May 2007]

Brooklyn Rules is a good story about the undying love and loyalty of three friends growing up in Brooklyn, under some very difficult circumstances. Some fine acting by Alec Baldwin and Scott Caan and very good dialog, so listen carefully. I think this movie has a minor flaw. Sometimes it moves a little slowly but the story line does keep you interested. There is some very funny dialog in this script that breaks up some of the serious moments in the movie, which I liked. This movie is also very violent at times but I believe it was a necessary part of the story.The script,written by Terence Winter was very good and superbly directed by Michael Corrente. I also liked the way this movie was filmed, the set decoration was good and so was the lighting. It made a lot of the scenes very easy on the eye. All in all, I came away from this movie feeling good. It reminded me of growing up with my friends, not under the same circumstances, mind you, but just the way good friends talk to each other with brutal honesty and oh yes, always a wisecrack.I recommend this movie because it is about all of us in some ways. I think people will identify with the characters, I think they will like the film.

copycat of better mobsters movies

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 12 May 2014]

Three lifelong friends grow up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood. Carmine Mancuso (Scott Caan) is the vain one. Bobby Canzoneri (Jerry Ferrara) is the cheapskate. Michael Turner (Freddie Prinze Jr.) is the scammer. In 1974, the 3 young boys found a dead body in the woods. Carmine took the lighter, Bobby got the dog, and Michael took the gun. Now in 1985, Michael is studying at Columbia Law and getting close to rich fellow student Ellen (Mena Suvari). Bobby is living at home whose biggest dream is a postal job. Carmine is getting in with wise guy Caesar (Alec Baldwin) who is a captain in the Gambino family.

This is not as rich as other NY mafia movies. Director Michael Corrente has created a world of clichés and expected characters. The three guys do a reasonable job. They have a good mix of personalities. Alec Baldwin does a very good wise guy. The story just lacks the needed tension. It feels like a thin simple mobster movie.

don't let the high ratings fool you

[lilmoney · 3/10 · 10 June 2007]

seriously, this is one of the worst movies I've seen in a while. so bad I felt compelled to post a comment here for the first time. I trusted the above 7+ IMDb rating this movie had. big mistake. from the excessive narration to the utter lack of an original plot line, this movie was just terrible. and the narrator is freddie prinz jr. need I say more? you can't compare this to brooklyn's version of a Bronx Tale, because A Bronx Tale was actually a decent movie. the best thing about it is the brooklyn/manhattan backdrop. second best was scott caan. even alec baldwin was a bit of a disappointment, maybe because we were hoping he could save the film. he couldn't. save your money and netflix this only if you're desperate.

Curiously Unmoving Tale Of Stale Brooklyn Characters

[HughBennie-777 · 17 February 2011]

Underwhelming, uneven Brooklyn saga about three boys coming of age in a surprisingly contemporary-looking Brooklyn--which is supposed to take place in the 80s--comes complete with an obligatory (and unwelcome) voice-over and empty performances. For all the male-bonding on screen between its three leads, one grows nostalgic for the freshness and humor of "Pope of Greenwich Village", "Mean Streets", or even an episode of "Hardcastle & McCormack". Subplot involving Freddie Prinze Jr., as a college boy trying to woo WASP princess Mena Suvari from across the East River, fails as Prinze Jr. Evokes none of the charisma of the similarly challenged John Travolta character in "Saturday Night Fever". In fact, none of the movie's characters are interesting, with Caan an unlikeable, midget pizza-head to Prinze Jr.'s cute doofus, and this further dooms the movie's attempts at mixing mushy sentimentality and scenes of punctuating yet distracting violence. Also, the movie's t.v. Style of editing, with its curious lack of master shots, never allows the actors to achieve any authenticity within its dialogue scenes, and this deflates the film's never-ending attempts at humor. Lots of accessory-after-the-fact, 80s pop culture scenery and name-dropping in the script are unnecessary, and, considering the fascinating disbanding of organized crime during the movie's time period, it's too bad the subject matter isn't in a better film and one not so steeped in cliché's. I won't even acknowledge the film's blatant quotes from "Goodfellas" and "Godfather". Hasn't every movie made about the most peripheral of characters related to mob activity already strip-mined the genre? Alec Baldwin brings the film some much-needed gravity. Scott Caan's impersonation of his father is expected.

Surprisingly good...

[padraig-mcnally · 6/10 · 6 January 2011]

...especially since the first billed is Freddie Prinze Jr.

I was at my friendly neighbourhood DVD retailer and saw this on sale for two bucks. I like Alec Baldwin so I thought Id give it a go.

The premise itself isn't terribly original - Its a coming of age type story meets a mild Goodfellas - but aside from the occasional eye-rolling moment it is well acted and beautifully shot.

Alec Baldwin is great as Ceasar and appropriately over the top. Freddie Prinze Jr, Jerry Ferrara and Scott Caan all do fine jobs as well.

Again, its nothing we haven't seen before, but its definitely worth the two bucks and certainly respectable enough to add to your DVD collection.

Another Great Mobster Film

[bmxceze111 · 7/10 · 12 April 2009]

So here we have another mobster movie with a great list of great actors. Set in the 80s the costumes have a bit of tasteless gestures and some actually hit the mark with authenticity. The background music works well and so do the neighborhoods throughout the films.

I was surprised to see pretty boy Freddie Prinze Jr. in this mobster film. I was so used to the childish films he had paraded around for such a long time to forget he has a narrative tone of acting. He played an honest student trying to do his best to escape the tortures of a rough and tumble Brooklyn neighborhood.Alec Baldwin gives a steadfast approach to the head mobster lifestyle by smacking a few locals around in the beginning. We see what the character assembly is going to produce throughout the film just from the short descriptive narratives.Jerry Ferrera plays the lovable sidekick friend that is conceptually frugal and down on his luck in unemployment. Scott Caan plays the most realistic character because in my most humble opinion, he has played this stereotypical role in every film I have seen him in. It's the Napoleon Bonaparte complex character that gets all the wheeling and dealing early on and gets his kicks from well, kicking people to the ground. It's characters like him in this film that really take it to another level. His acting is superb ,the love is genuine ,and sometimes you feel the scenes were ad libbed. Mena Suvari was an unconvincing student femme. She lofts around throughout the film carefree until the s*** hits the fans and then she turns against Freddy's character. She could have easily been knocked off in the script and nobody would've missed her. While she was entirely necessary to the script and in proving a friendship motif, I didn't enjoy her performance.

Overall this movie hits the target. It's not another classic mobster makeover but in it's own way reinvents the story and leaves room for a few other younger actors looking to get their beaks wet in this genre.

Yet another coming-of-age 'in NY' movie...(that must be seen...or else)

[sirvertual · 6/10 · 22 June 2008]

If you enjoy any of the (non-comedic) 'coming-of-age' movies that have come out since the mid-eighties (with Stand By Me in 1986)...Also, any Alec Baldwin fans must see this. Although I really don't feel Alec was in nearly enough scenes and could have substantially helped this movie considerably by his presence with 'the boys'...Even if he'd been superimposed as a ghost that 'somehow influenced their decisions'...The acting (or maybe casting) of the main characters was a lil' sketchy from tie to time, in my opinion and left e feeling somewhat like 'hey, I'm watching a movie'...which is distracting, as it's a sign of quality when you are 'only able' to stay immersed in the story being told and literally 'forget' you are watching a movie...I even found myself 'taking a couple of breaks (to let the cat out, take a pee, get a drink, etc, etc.) during some of the slower 'connecting' scenes...And I'm sure you know what I mean...The sign of a really well-done film, is when you literally 'can't take your eyes off the screen', allowing any normal distractions to go completely unnoticed (or when the distraction is too much, you flip out and extinguish whatever -or whoever- is the cause of the distraction)...That's a great movie and although this one doesn't fall into that category, it's still one that shouldn't be missed...Overlook the small 'blips' in the acting (it really does get a little awkward -and forced- in a few scenes) and the 'non-emotion' in a few scenes (when there should be a great deal of tear-jerking emotion)...And, as previously stated, the 'under-use' of Alec Baldwin in scenes where he could have definitely been utilized in some creative (and often obvious) ways, which would have really contributed to the overall 'effectiveness' of the story trying to 'get-told'...Otherwise, it's a decent attempt and still stands as (yet another) must-see coming-of-age movies...In easier terms...put it on your 'list-o'-flicks' and when the movie you wanted to see isn't available, grab a copy of this instead...it's pretty much guaranteed to be in-stock...and you won't feel like it was a wasted trip to the 'get a movie place' after you've seen it...Just don't feel like you are incapable of emotion, when you think you should be 'upset over this' or whatever...It's not you, it's the film...

I liked it.

[la_ceiba_man · 7/10 · 26 September 2007]

I love mob movies and all they have to do is mention that it is a mob movie for me to see it.

Some of the mob movies I have seen were terrible and I walked out on them.

I would rate this movie slightly above average. Yes I will admit that some parts have bad acting but then parts of good fellas has bad acting. The thing is I could identify with a lot of people in movie. As in things I have done or people I know.

Alec Baldwin was great as Caesar. The way he looked at people as if he owned them. When the time came he reacted swiftly and violently. But on the other hand he showed compassion to his friends.

One of the best directed movies I have seen in a while

[bigpimpin36 · 10/10 · 28 May 2007]

If I had to sum up this movie it would have to include a mixture of Boondock Saints, A Bronx Tale and a little taste of Goodfellas all rolled into one to create BROOKLYN RULES...the cast was awesome the storyline was as truthful as you can get and the movie had it's moments of comedy and others of reflection....I would give this movie a 10 out of 10 and I hope that more people get to see this movie which without the hype will gain it's legion of viewers by word of mouth...those are the best kind of movies in my opinion the ones that just spread like a tidal wave without the pomp and circumstance but still end up being all-time classics or at least achieve Cult Status.

A goodfellas knockoff that is watchable but is no Godfather or Goodfellas

[dilbertsuperman · 6/10 · 27 December 2007]

First off let me say the casting for this movie was blatantly and utterly retarded and it killed the movie for me. One of the main bad guys who is supposed to be a tough Italian mobster is a coddled Irish blue-eyed fop named Alec Baldwin- every scene he is in fails miserably in giving the tough guy Italian one-two punchola- he looks like he needs an Irish coffee and a warmed towel.

A lot of voice overs in this movie to cover ground that may have been too difficult for the director to imagine onto film. That was a big minus too.

Plusses- da usual tuff guys talking crap and knockin heads and getting some respect when they is out on da town wit dere dames.

Final conclusion: the equivalent of methadone for the heroin that is goodfellas, below sopranos in accuracy or believability- but watchable and occasionally pretty good, it loses points since the topic has been covered much, much better in a wide number of other films that came before it.

THE PLOT: Some guys that grew up in the neighborhood feel some growing pains as their closeness to several wiseguys intrudes on their lives. Gotti is used as a backdrop for street cred. It would have been better if a lot of stuff the voice over was talking about was instead part of the actual film.

Goodfellas, The Godfather, Donnie Brasco, and reservoir dogs do a better wiseguy coverage than this flick- but this IS a watchable addition to the list, so foggedaboudit.

hoped for the best

[paulehandley · 4/10 · 22 May 2007]

I live in Providence and wanted this to be successful. Im a fan of mob movies and saw the Essex Boys this wkend which is not very good, but I enjoyed it. It was fun to watch. This movie about 3 kids growing up reminded me of Amongst Friends, which I also enjoyed. In my limited knowledge of Corrente directed films(only 2), he does not know how to cast. I saw Federal Hill years ago with the Turturro(sp?) that can't act. He was good in bit parts of NYPD Blue, but nowhere near able to carry a movie. In this movie we have Prinze Jr-again I don't know much of his career, but know he has been in crappy teen movies like i know what you did last summer 2 and have caught moments of it or something that looks just like it on TNT reruns, and he isn't any good. Also the movie adds James Caan's kid. This just spells B movie all over it before I even see the thing. When I see Steve McQueen's kid or Tom Hank's brother I become skeptical. The Caan kid is not a good actor and he is funny looking. He looks like a good looking oompa loompa. I think hes about 5'2".

Mena Suvari is given nothing to work with. She has about zero personality in the movie. She is merely there to comment and elicit comments about Prinze's clichéd character that has a dad die early and fighting his way out of the tough neighborhood. He also has a tough exterior that hides the real tenderness that he has for his buddies.

Prinze hangs out at his buddies house who has a retarded dad that misprounces everything for the comic relief(didn't there used to be some really bad comic that did this?) and a mother thats the worst cook in brooklyn or something-funny stuff and just where I would want to hang out.

Alec Baldwin is good. Hes always good even when he cuts off a body part. Guess which part? Yes, a reservoir dog and about a dozen other movies' ear chop. At least he didn't talk into it after removing it.

Speaking of Reservoir Dogs, there is a lot of conversation between the 3 buddies that does not come within any distance of being that riveting.

Could there have been anything different tossed in to make this movie somewhat unique? Back to the Essex Boys, it at least threw in a Body Heat-like angle where a spurned woman is behind all the mechanizations(sp?)or like Nick Cage in the con movie that has been done to death, spices it up by making him an obsessive compulsive among other things.

Sorry my comments are so negative, but this movie was just bad.

Brooklyn Rules Great film nobody saw-damn shame

[MovieGamer69 · 10/10 · 6 August 2007]

Coming off of last years nearly perfect The Departed which cast a huge shadow in how good mob movies have to be or how great every actor was compared to this indie flick. I think every actor in this film was very good and engaging, you feel the friendship between the three main characters and Alec Baldwin is always dead on in his rendition of a ruthless mob boss, if you don't like him i would rent The Cooler with William H Macy which he was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor. All in this movie is worth 10 dollars, its got a great cast and story that you may remember from the news of the 1980s Growing up in NY as a kid this movie hits home, hearing about Paul Castellano getting in front of Sparks Steakhouse was one of the most insane things to see on TV. John Gotti was a ruthless killer and he wanted everyone to know, he flaunted it to the point where he killed dozens of people for years. He would walk to the courthouse on charges weekly in his three thousand dollar suit nobody could touch him. This is why this movie is special, it captures that feeling of how it came down to an all out mob war on the streets of NY and how it was growing up in the midst of it-60s and 70s have been done. The 80s is when every move these guys made was front page news. I was lucky enough to catch this in the theater and i must say i was highly entertained. Maybe its from being a big mob movie fan or an entourage fan or just a fan of quality characters and acting, either way its fun to watch three guys from Brooklyn grow up trying to keep their nose clean in those mean Brooklyn streets of the 1980s. I just wish this movie went wide release because it was a film that had a huge cast and setting that it would have scored big with a lot of moviegoers-like the scarface generation who all think they are gangsta!

Freddie Prinze Jr. KILLED this film

[willing4 · 1/10 · 22 September 2007]

I haven't seen acting this bad since Showgirls!! Freddie Prinze Jr.'s accent was horrible! His delivery made B list soap stars chuckle out loud.

Beyond the aforementioned display of ineptitude the movie needs help...its beyond bad. The story is weak. The dialog is unoriginal and banal. Jerry Ferrara has a decent scene or two, namely the ring scene but aside from that the remaining hour and twenty nine minutes is pure hell on tape.

I recommend you watch it just to see how bad acting really can be. Pay particular attention to FPJ, and try not to feel bad for him...its hard.

A Classic Timepiece

[kbrowndba · 9/10 · 21 December 2006]

What a movie! It is like a Bronx Tale meets Stand By Me. A Romeo & Juliet/ West Side Story Combo. From the streets of Brooklyn to the streets of Manhattan. Three friends follow their dream. One follows the path of the street; the wannabe gangster. Another follows the path out of the streets/college. And one lost soul is just happy to be the blue collar regular guy. A love story; a story about friendship and loyalty. Freddie Prinze Jr. is fantastic; as is Mena Suvari. Scott Caan reminds us so much of his father in this role. Jerry Ferrara's break out big screen role. Michael Corrente outdid himself with this masterpiece. He has Alec Baldwin back in another good role. And check out the non-speaking doorman; his expressions are priceless. A must see film!