Gloria Darpino in West New York (1996)

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This movie made the rounds of the film festivals a couple of years ago, but never got a taker for distribution. It's actually a pretty good little indie, but with just enough amateurish touches to remind you that they made it for peanuts. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this movie about an alcoholic ex-cop who is independently scamming off some corporate bonds from his security job when three different groups of wise guys and crooked cops figure out that the small-time scam could be big-time, and want a piece of the action. In tone and attitude, it isn't really like an indie, but more like a studio movie made with a zero budget. The lighting is so bright in some scenes that the faces are washed out and the entire background is white. That's cool, though, certainly better than the typical indie, which is too dark. Some of the actors are obviously non-professionals, and there are some irrelevant minor characters which take up screen time for no reason.

But there are also some wonderful elements. Some of the outdoor scenes are filmed with real imagination and respect for the landscapes. I loved one scene between wise guys where they arranged a meeting at a deserted driving range in the middle of winter, and they discussed murder and such while the capo nervously drove ball after ball into the snow with a short, hard, swing which reflected his agitated personality, but which was more suited to axe murder than golf. This director, Joey Gallo, could be a guy to watch in the future. The female star, Gloria Darpino, is an Elizabeth Perkins look-alike, with quite a nice chest. Kathy Derry also looks great naked.


Written by: Scoopy...Scoopy.net