by Kristin Ciliberto, Contributing Writer
Toni Collette is a mega star! She has been one of the most gifted and talented actresses working in the business, and I would have never imagined her taking on the role as a mob boss in Mafia Mamma. Kristin (Collette) is going through a lot. Her son Domenick (Tommy Rodger) is leaving for college, she works in a sexist environment where she is never given respect, and is dealing with an unfaithful and cheating husband, Paul (Tim Daish). While this is all going down, she receives a phone call that her estranged grandfather passed away, and she inherited his mafia empire in Italy. Kristin believes traveling to Italy is going to be a time for healing, but it all turns out to be more than she could have ever imagined! Collette takes on a role of defying everyone’s expectations.
Director Catherine Hardwicke and Collette team up once again after previously working in 2015’s Miss You Already with Drew Barrymore. Hardwicke is a veteran director, and has had an extensive career, directing many films such as Miss Bala, Plush, Red Riding Hood, Twilight, The Nativity Story, Lords of Dogtown, and Thirteen. Most of her film’s are not the best, but they have become watchable pieces of cinema.
Mafia Mamma, though, takes the traditional mob movie and turns it into a feminist comedy. The film is based on the premise and the idea that a woman could take over as a mafia boss, which was very interesting to me. However, while it is trying to a lighthearted comedy, it isn’t successful. There is some violence, but nothing like Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
Anything Collette appears in is always watchable, and is a must-watch for me, even if the film is subpar. In this case, Kristin a super likable and charming character, and Collette is truly the best part of this film. Kristin wants to reinvent her life as she deals with a midlife crisis. She has excellent chemistry with Monica Bellucci, who is also a true standout and adds some sass and spice to match up with Collette. The rest of the cast plays stereotypical Italian characters that audiences would traditionally see.
Hardwicke takes the Eat. Pray. Love. concept to a new level, but it’s unfortunate, as this film is a forgettable comedy. There are some goofy and silly moments that do not quite land. Some of the best moments stand out more in the trailer than the actual film. One of the main problems is that Hardwicke tends to make her films extremely predictable. Though while Mafia Mamma is predictable, it does sprinkle in some surprises that include Collette’s love interest.
If you are interested and want to watch Mafia Mamma for Collette, then you should see it. Otherwise, if you are hesitant due to the director’s previous works, and are expecting more of a mob movie, you might want to skip this one.
Score: 6/10
Mafia Mamma is currently playing in theaters
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