Comments on: Movie Review: Gomorrah (2009)

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:57:23 +0000

I'm living here in naples now working for the navy. Once you open your eyes here you see corruption all around. You start to actually feel it. You realize its actually a mindset some of these people have and unless they can change that way of thinking the society is set to fail. Some of these people have no remorse for contributing to the destruction of this society and the environment as long as they get some personal gain. It's funny, I guess having a church on every corner doesnt necessarily make for a better overall collective human consciousness.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:16:31 +0000

@Brad Brevet: You know despite their presence in the area I REALLY enjoyed my time in Naples. Until I read Gomorrah and began trying to know more facts (rather than just rumors) about the area I would gladly taken my family with me back to Naples for another three year tour. Not now. I hate that the place of SO MANY fond memories just isn't safe anymore. Or perhaps unhealthy – more than just the air pollution. Maybe it never was. Like any other big city it also has ALOT to do with which neighborhoods you frequent and who your friends are. Unfortunately despite having good friends there, I frequented Casal di Principe OFTEN day or night any hour including after midnight. Always felt safe. That blissful ignorance thing again… Perhaps they knew I would be safe but they never talked about what went on right there in their town. Maybe they did not know either…

I'll be looking for more to read about crime like Gomorrah. I wonder if it wasn't written about New York or Chicago or New Jersey if some of the same stories might not apply. There are just too many ways to quietly make all sorts of deals under the table especially with the aid of modern gadgets or even just using messenger boys.

By: joeaverage

joeaverage — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:27:30 +0000

Now the funny thing is that the Navy facilities relocated from Agnano to Aversa and if what I read yesterday is to be believed then some of the now America gov't sponsored military housing is located in Casal di Principe. I still can't understand exactly why the US DoD put their new Navy base right into the middle of that organized crime mess.

On top of that the military is measuring pollution in the area related to the dumping activities of the Camorra and there is actually talk of abandoning the new facilities entirely.

Now this is hearsay but I just wanted to throw out there how some of your tax dollars may be spent…

By: sal coppola

sal coppola — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:03:09 +0000

I have read the book,so I am dying to see the film…………being that my roots are from the region makes it intriguing for me

By: Brad Brevet

Brad Brevet — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:13:07 +0000

@Fritz: WOW! I would love to hear your thoughts once you see it and the book was sent to me and I definitely plan on giving it a read. As I watched, one thing I would have a hard time doing is imagining I lived there or was anywhere near it all.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:29:49 +0000

I am anxious to see this film. I spent several years living there as a US military person and I knew it was all around me but it was tough to put my finger directly on the mafia. I witnessed it several times but like the book explains – it is a system and tough to stamp out.

It wasn't until late in the book that I realized that I was driving in and out of one of the hubs of activity – Casal di Principe – at all hours of the day or night to see some local friends.

Ignorance is truly bliss.

By: Peter Cat

Peter Cat — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:07:05 +0000

I do not think it has a lack of focus, in contrast, this is the best expression way of such a stroy and for which the Gomorrah can be Gomorrah.
I do not think you really understand the core of this movie and enjoy it.
Anyway, this is a film in history.
Even though not for the history of world film, at least the history of Italian film.

By: MovieJay

MovieJay — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:27:12 +0000

I'm glad this is a positive review, I saw this at Toronto and loved it. I do not think the film has a lack of focus. It's a "hyperlink" movie, which has become quite popular over the last decade or so with movies like "Babel", "Traffic" and "Crash". It follows several story lines from the street to the fashion industry to the construction business. It lets the viewer make connections between characters, and some connect, while others do not.

I think if you love work like "Traffic" or "the Wire", you'll love this movie, too. I think it's between "Gomorra" and "Let the Right One In" for best foreign language pic this season at the Oscars.