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November 13, 2008
Find Me Guilty (2006)
Should I see it?
No.


Short Review: Praise worthy performances – a shame worthy film.

Find Me Guilty

Jack DiNorscio (Vin Diesel) is a known mobster is up on charges of conspiracy. DiNorscio and his partners in crime are party to the longest criminal court case in American history. This means it was an extremely expensive trial that spent the efforts of prosecutors, the jury, the defense lawyers and the court for over two years. All of this to nail a group of men who the prosecution insisted were involved in all sorts criminal activity. Jack, a mobster with a broad and appealing personality, decides to defend himself. As the trial lingers, Jack’s courtroom antics cause trouble for both the prosecution and the defense.

Diesel’s performance is remarkable primarily because it is Diesel giving the performance and it doesn't stink. In an obvious attempt to step away from being pigeonholed in the no-mind action films he has become known for (Pitch Black, xXx, The Fast & The Furious) Diesel manages to show he has enough talent to help out a more serious production,. He handles the comedic aspects of Jack’s personality easily. Where Diesel’s performance does best is when he is out of the courtroom or confronting a serious situation. Diesel’s transitions seamlessly from court jester to a man concerned with his own fate. I was rather surprised, I thought he was only capable of grunting and pointing. He's not going to win an Oscar, but this film should open him up to headier stuff than Babylon A.D. and The Pacifier.

Peter Dinklage also gives a believable performance as defense attorney Ben Klandis. Dinklage (The Station Agent, Elf) is at once a confident power-attorney, while also being someone dealing criminal riff raff. Much of the court case is completely out of his hands. Dinklage (buttressed by Sidney Lumet’s sharp script) plays the duality of this role with deft.

This film as a whole is very well done. The problem is that the film asks the audience to cheer for the bad guys. Again, this is a trail of mobsters and the audience is manipulated to loathe the prosecution and cheer for the mobsters to be set free. To his credit Lumet goes out of his way to make certain we understand these men on trial are murderers and thieves. To his shame he doesn’t condemn the men for their crimes.

I recommend this film is strong cautions. Like Pirates of The Caribbean, this film uses the force of personality to get the audience to embrace bad men and despise good ones. This is an entertaining and well-crafted film but be wary of its moral retardation.


Related Reviews:
Vin Diesel movies
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The Pacifier (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
ReelViews
Reel.com


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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:00 AM




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1 Comments:

Anonymous Linda Margaret said...

I'll watch anything with Peter Dinklage. I think he's great. I thought this was strange for putting him with Diesel, but, you're right, the whole film worked.

December 1, 2008 at 1:04 PM  

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