Gotti
2018 · United States · 110 min
- Director
- Kevin Connolly
- Screenplay
- Lem Dobbs, Leo Rossi
- Producer
- Randall Emmett, George Furla
- Music
- Pitbull
- Cinematography
- Michael Barrett
- Production company
- Emmett/Furla Films
What the critics say
0 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviewsCast
What it is about
Gotti is a biographical crime drama directed by Kevin Connolly from a screenplay by Lem Dobbs and Leo Rossi. It follows New York mobster John Gotti through the 1970s and 1980s, from his first assignments within the Gambino family to his rise to the top of the organization. The story covers a criminal career shaped by violence, court cases and stretches behind bars, as well as the strains on his home life and on the men around him. John Travolta leads the cast, alongside Kelly Preston as Victoria, Gotti's wife, and Stacy Keach as Neil Dellacroce.
How it was made
The project took years to reach the screen. It was announced in 2010 under the working title Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father and passed through several directors, including Barry Levinson, Nick Cassavetes and Joe Johnston, along with changing casts that at various points attached Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Chazz Palminteri. Kevin Connolly was confirmed as director in 2015, and the full cast was announced in July 2016. Principal photography began in Cincinnati, Ohio, where locations were dressed to resemble New York City, and wrapped with scenes shot in Brooklyn in February 2017. Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, Fiore Films and Herrick Entertainment financed the film, with Lionsgate Premiere handling domestic distribution.
Reception and legacy
Its release was delayed when Lionsgate handed the rights back to the producers shortly before the planned December 2017 date. The film finally reached cinemas on June 15, 2018, through Vertical Entertainment and MoviePass Ventures, after a festival premiere at Cannes. Critics were overwhelmingly negative, objecting to the screenplay, the performances and the historical liberties, with only Travolta's work drawing some modest praise. It was a commercial failure, taking in about 6.4 million dollars against a 10 million budget, and earned six Razzie nominations, including Worst Picture and Worst Actor for Travolta. It is now often cited among the most poorly regarded films of its era.
Stills
Trailer
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Trivia
Years in development
The project changed hands several times before filming, with directors and actors attached at different points. Joe Pesci reportedly gained 30 pounds to play Angelo Ruggiero before his role was changed.
Kelly Preston's penultimate film
Preston, Travolta's real-life wife, plays Victoria Gotti in one of her final film roles.
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