Gotti (2018)
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A young associate rises through the ranks of the Gambino crime family to become a notorious New York City mob boss.
The story
In 1973, Gambino crime family underboss Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce tasks John Gotti, a young associate, with killing gangster James McBratney. After executing McBratney at a bar, Gotti is identified as his killer in 1974 and sentenced to imprisonment. Released on parole in 1977, he reunites with his wife Victoria and their children and becomes a "made man," immediately climbing the Mafia hierarchy to become a capo. By 1979, Gotti operates out of the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club with his childhood friend Angelo Ruggiero while navigating the complex power dynamics of the New York underworld.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1973, John Gotti is tasked by underboss Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce to kill gangster James McBratney. After the hit, Gotti is imprisoned in 1974 but released on parole in 1977. He quickly rises to become a capo, operating out of the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club with friend Angelo Ruggiero. The film depicts Gotti's life as he navigates family dynamics, including his sons Junior and Frank, and deals with the Lucchese crime family. In 1980, his son Frank is killed in a hit-and-run. By 1985, Gotti becomes convinced boss Paul Castellano is too frail to lead. After various legal battles and the disclosure of an FBI informant, Gotti helps Dellacroce orchestrate the elimination of Castellano in 1986. Gotti takes over the Gambino family, becoming "the real-life Godfather." He faces threats from rival Vincent "The Chin" Gigante and eventually earns the nickname "the Teflon Don." After escaping prosecution multiple times, Gotti is finally convicted in 1992 for the Castellano murder after Sammy Gravano testifies against him. He is sentenced to life without parole. The film concludes with Gotti's death in 2002 and his son Junior's eventual release from prison in 2009.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 110
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Kevin Connolly
- Writers
- Lem Dobbs · writer; Leo Rossi · writer
- Cast and characters
- John Travolta · Gotti; Kelly Preston · Victoria; Spencer Lofranco · John Gotti Jr.; Stacy Keach · Aniello Dellacroce; Pruitt Taylor Vince · Angelo Ruggiero; William DeMeo · Sammy Gravano; Chris Mulkey; Victor Gojcaj · Father Murphy
- Genres
- biographical; crime; drama
- Themes
- Rise to power; Family loyalty; Crime and justice; Betrayal
- Tone and mood
- Biographical; Serious; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- True Crime; Mafia; Biopic
- Source material / true-story basis
- True events
- Reception
- The film was panned by critics for its screenplay, performances, and historical inaccuracies, though Travolta's performance received minor praise. It was a commercial failure and is considered one of the worst films ever made, holding a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 0%; Metacritic · score: 24 · scale: 100 · review count: 16
- Awards and nominations
- Razzie · Worst Picture · Nominated; Razzie · Worst Actor · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was originally set to be released in the United States on December 15, 2017, but Lionsgate sold it back to its producers.; The film was originally tentatively titled Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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