Mobsters Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four ambitious ’90s heartthrobs decide that instead of getting actual jobs, they’ll just become highly successful crime lords by outsmarting two old, food-obsessed dons.

🍿 Mobsters: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Genesis of an Empire

In the tumultuous New York City of 1917, two formidable Mafia figures, Don Faranzano and Don Masseria, exerted brutal control over the working-class neighborhoods. Their reign instilled widespread fear, leaving citizens feeling powerless against their violent edicts. It was in this environment that a young Charlie Luciano emerged, driven by a powerful ambition to dismantle the existing order and usher in a more equitable, albeit illicit, system. Charlie’s resolve was solidified by personal grievances: Don Faranzano’s assault on his father and Don Masseria’s callous indifference to the murder of his close friend and nephew. Fueled by these events, Charlie sought out allies, recruiting his Italian-American compatriot Frank Costello, and the shrewd Jewish friends, Meyer Lansky and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. Together, this quartet vowed to challenge the dons’ authority, protect their community, and forge their own path to wealth and power.

Rising Through the Ranks

Five years later, in 1922, the four young men had begun to solidify their criminal enterprise. They formed a crucial partnership with Arnold Rothstein, a wealthy and influential liquor salesman who became Charlie’s mentor, educating him in the intricacies of illicit business. As Charlie efficiently managed Rothstein’s bootleg alcohol distribution across the city, he frequently visited Tommy Reina’s gambling club, where he met and fell in love with a captivating chorus girl named Mara Motes. Their burgeoning success, however, drew unwanted attention. A notorious and erratic assassin, “Mad Dog” Coll, made a chilling attempt on Charlie, Meyer, and Mara’s lives during a limo ride. Though the attempt failed, Mad Dog’s escape hinted at the escalating dangers faced by the ambitious young mobsters. As Charlie and his crew amassed millions, the established dons, Faranzano and Masseria, began to vie for their allegiance, attempting to draw them away from Rothstein. However, the young men remained cautious, wary of Faranzano’s anti-Semitism and Masseria’s reputation for duplicity, preferring to maintain their independence.

Navigating Treachery and Retaliation

Despite their efforts to remain independent, the dons refused to be sidelined. One of Charlie’s liquor shipments was mysteriously hijacked, leading Rothstein to warn Charlie that the older mobsters would relentlessly try to seize their business. In response, Charlie’s gang ambushed the hijackers, delivering a stark warning to cease their work for the dons. However, Bugsy’s impulsiveness led him to murder one of Faranzano’s top lieutenants, escalating tensions. This act forced Charlie’s gang into a precarious alliance with Masseria for protection against Faranzano’s inevitable retaliation. Masseria agreed to shelter them but demanded control of their liquor trade and the assassination of Faranzano within six months. Charlie seemingly consented, but secretly plotted to undermine Masseria by curtailing the whiskey business and funneling money into trade unions. Rothstein, upon learning of Charlie’s scheme, predicted a brutal gang war, advising Charlie to earn Masseria’s absolute trust by feigning loyalty. However, Masseria discovered Charlie’s true intentions, leading him to order Mad Dog to murder Rothstein and reassert his dominance over Charlie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charlie ‘Lucky’ Luciano (Christian Slater): The ambitious leader of a group of friends who rises to dismantle the old mob order and establish a new criminal empire.
• Meyer Lansky (Patrick Dempsey): One of Charlie Luciano’s closest and most intelligent Jewish friends, who becomes a key partner in their ascent to power.
• Bugsy Siegel (Richard Grieco): A volatile and aggressive Jewish friend of Charlie Luciano, known for his impulsiveness and violent tendencies.
• Frank Costello (Costas Mandylor): An Italian-American friend and loyal associate of Charlie Luciano, who joins the core group in their criminal endeavors.
• Don Faranzano (Michael Gambon): A tyrannical Mafia boss in New York City whose anti-Semitism and brutality make him a primary target for Charlie Luciano and his friends.
• Don Masseria (Anthony Quinn): An old-style Mafia don who rivals Don Faranzano for control of New York City’s criminal underworld and is eventually targeted by the rising young mobsters.
• Mad Dog Coll (Nicholas Sadler): A flamboyant and psychotic assassin hired by the dons, known for his brutal and unpredictable violence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bugsy: “Try this again and I will kill your mothers, fuck your sisters, and turn your brothers into eunuchs!” – Bugsy delivers this extremely violent threat to rival mobsters who dared to interfere with his and Rothstein’s bootleg shipments, showcasing his brutal and unhinged nature.
• Lucky: “I think you’ve made your point, Benny. Let’s go.” – Lucky calmly interjects to Bugsy Siegel after Bugsy’s explosive outburst and actions, attempting to rein in his partner’s notorious impulsiveness.
• Meyer Lansky: “You wanna start a war?” – Meyer cautiously asks Bugsy Siegel, questioning his rash decision to gun down a rival mobster, understanding the severe implications for their burgeoning enterprise.
• Bugsy: “I don’t mind.” – Bugsy’s chillingly nonchalant and defiant response to Meyer Lansky’s concern, revealing his eagerness for violent confrontation and disregard for consequences.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $23,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,246,790
• Worldwide Gross: $20,246,790

💥 Mobsters Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Mobsters’ might not be ‘The Godfather,’ but seriously, give it a chance! I watched this back in the day, and it was just *cool*. Seeing Christian Slater as Lucky Luciano, and Patrick Dempsey as Meyer Lansky – they had this undeniable chemistry. It’s fast-paced, sometimes messy, but the action scenes are genuinely thrilling, and the period setting looks fantastic. I especially loved the tension building between the young crew and the old guard; it just felt so rebellious and exciting. It’s a fun, stylish ride that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need in a movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s gangster films looking for a high-octane experience”
  • “Viewers interested in fictionalized accounts of historical crime figures”
  • “Fans of Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey, and Richard Grieco’s early work”
  • “Those who enjoy action-packed dramas with a focus on friendship and betrayal”
  • “Audiences looking for a stylized, visually appealing period piece”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong bloody violence and graphic gunfights”
  • “Gangster themes and criminal activity”
  • “Brief nudity and sexual content”
  • “Thematic elements of betrayal and revenge”

Professional Reviews

• Film Buff Monthly: “Mobsters offers a visually slick and action-packed foray into the early days of organized crime. While it doesn’t aim for the gravitas of its genre predecessors, it delivers high-octane entertainment with a surprisingly decent ensemble. However, the narrative often feels rushed, sacrificing character depth for a brisk pace, leaving you wanting more substance beneath the stylish exterior.
• Reel Perspectives: “This gangster saga trades epic scope for youthful swagger, portraying the rise of iconic figures like Luciano and Lansky with a brisk, almost frenetic energy. While the young cast brings a certain charm, the film often feels like a highlight reel, cramming too much into its runtime. It’s violent and visually engaging, but ultimately a light snack compared to the genre’s deeper feasts.
• The Cinematic Lens: “Mobsters is a divisive entry in the gangster canon, frequently dismissed when stacked against the greats. Yet, for audiences seeking pure, unpretentious entertainment, it largely succeeds. The film excels in its stylish period design and delivers on the action front, making it a surprisingly watchable and often thrilling, if somewhat superficial, crime drama.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the dynamic between the young, ambitious mobsters and the thrilling, albeit sometimes over-the-top, action sequences.: Many appreciated the film as an entertaining and visually pleasing ‘guilty pleasure’ that offered a fresh, high-energy take on the gangster genre, even if it lacked historical accuracy or deep character development.

Overall Consensus: Mobsters is generally viewed as an entertaining but historically loose and shallow gangster film, best appreciated as a fast-paced action-drama rather than a profound crime epic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Anthony Quinn, who portrays Don Masseria, reportedly had a real-life close friendship with gangster Frank Costello, one of the central figures in the film, after Costello’s retirement.”
• “Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, played by Richard Grieco, is frequently called ‘Bugsy’ in the film, and he even uses the name himself. Historically, Siegel reportedly loathed this nickname and would not tolerate anyone calling him ‘Bugsy’ to his face.”
• “The film’s concept was reportedly influenced by the success of ‘Young Guns’ (1988), aiming to tell the story of legendary mob figures like Lucky Luciano as a ‘youthful outlaw’ ensemble piece.”
• “The luxurious interiors of Luciano’s mansion in the film were shot at the Max Busch House in Pasadena, California, which sadly burned down on October 5, 2005.”
• “The historical figure Salvatore Maranzano, a key rival boss, is inexplicably renamed ‘Don Faranzano’ in the movie, a deviation from historical fact that has been noted by many viewers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mobsters?

Mobsters (1991) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from major retailers. Be sure to check your preferred platform for the most current pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mobsters, you might like these similar films:

• The Godfather (1972): A quintessential epic gangster drama, offering a profound and influential depiction of a crime family’s ascent and internal conflicts, providing a benchmark for the genre.
• Goodfellas (1990): A fast-paced, visceral, and stylish look at the lives of real-life mobsters, similar to ‘Mobsters” focus on historical figures and their rise in the criminal underworld.
• Once Upon a Time in America (1984): An expansive and melancholic saga tracing the lives of Jewish-American gangsters in New York, resonating with ‘Mobsters” portrayal of Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel’s origins.
• Bugsy (1991): Released in the same year, this film provides a more focused biographical account of Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, offering a different artistic interpretation of a shared character.
• The Untouchables (1987): A stylish and action-packed period crime drama set during the Prohibition era in Chicago, offering a different perspective on organized crime and the efforts to combat it.
• Young Guns (1988): Explores the theme of young, charismatic outlaws rising to power and challenging established norms, a conceptual inspiration for ‘Mobsters” ensemble approach to historical crime figures.
• King of New York (1990): A raw, stylish, and highly regarded independent gangster film from the same period, known for its powerful performances and unapologetically violent tone, appealing to fans of gritty crime cinema.
• American Gangster (2007): A modern epic crime film based on the true story of a powerful Harlem crime boss, providing a contemporary perspective on the rise of a criminal empire.

🛒 Mobsters Related Products

• Mobsters Blu-ray Special Edition: Experience the 1920s gangster epic in stunning high-definition with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews, bringing the stylish world of Lucky Luciano to life like never before.
• The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano by Martin A. Gosch & Richard Hammer: Delve deeper into the alleged true story of Lucky Luciano with this controversial autobiography, offering a unique and often disputed perspective on his life and the tumultuous era depicted in the film.
• Mafia: Definitive Edition (Video Game): Step into the shoes of a mobster in 1930s America. This critically acclaimed remake features a gripping story, stunning visuals, and immersive open-world gameplay, capturing the intricate atmosphere of the Prohibition era.
• Vintage 1920s-Style Fedora Hat: A classic fedora hat, crafted to replicate the stylish headwear worn by mobsters and gentlemen in the 1920s and 30s, perfect for completing a vintage-inspired look or adding a touch of old-school cool.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mobsters features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mobsters Theme” – performed by Michael Small
• “Lucky’s Rise” – performed by Michael Small
• “The Streets of New York” – performed by Michael Small
• “Gangland Tango” – performed by Michael Small

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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