Gomorrah

Name: Gomorrah
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: February 13, 2009
Duration: 137 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Abruzzese, Toni Servillo

2009

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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Gomorrah

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: February 13, 2009 | Not Rated

Starring: Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Abruzzese, Toni Servillo

Summary: Power, money and blood: these are the values that the residents of the province of Naples and Caserta confront every day. They have practically no choice, and are forced to obey the rules of the "System," the Camorra. Only a lucky few can even think of leading a normal life. Five stories are woven together in this violent scenario, set in aPower, money and blood: these are the values that the residents of the province of Naples and Caserta confront every day. They have practically no choice, and are forced to obey the rules of the "System," the Camorra. Only a lucky few can even think of leading a normal life. Five stories are woven together in this violent scenario, set in a cruel and ostensibly invented world, but one that is deeply rooted in reality. (IFC Films)… Expand

Director: Matteo Garrone

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 137 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Wesley Morris

Both a staggering realist thriller and a jeremiad. Read full review

100

Richard Corliss and Mary Corliss

Probably the bleakest, least sentimental study of the Mafia in Italian or American film history. Read full review

100

Kenneth Turan

The fingerprints of the Camorra are everywhere, this film wants us to know, and its grip is lethal. Read full review

Marc Savlov

This isn't some pomo arthouse picture looking to score points by subverting the gangster paradigm; it's a killer film about killers who idolize film but are unable or unwilling to parse the doom that always crops up come Act III. Read full review

Steven Rea

A frightening portrait of corruption, cynicism, intimidation, greed and violence, Gomorrah is tough stuff. Read full review

Empire Damon Wise

A sombre, slow, but well-paced study of organised crime in urban Naples that leaves a very grim taste in the mouth. Read full review

Pete Vonder Haar

Clearly, Gomorrah is supposed to represent the best of today’s European cinema...and if this is the best, I would hate to imagine the worst! Gomorrah is a boring mess focusing on how the mob in today’s Naples has its tentacles stretched far and wide Read full review

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User Reviews

tville

Jun 16, 2018

Gomorra rhymes with Camora and it just as fathomless. The corruption captivates and destroys all it touches. Hollywood's romanticism doesn't help.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MichaelNewmarket

Dec 30, 2009

Brutal; bleak; superb.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Nesbitt10

Jul 22, 2013

No matter how many mafia films you have seen, you have never seen anything like "Gomorrah." It is a desolate film--devoid of hope, and explores a brutally violent way of life without heroes, just victims. “Gomorrah” portrays an Italy so far removed from our picture post card images of aNo matter how many mafia films you have seen, you have never seen anything like "Gomorrah." It is a desolate film--devoid of hope, and explores a brutally violent way of life without heroes, just victims. “Gomorrah” portrays an Italy so far removed from our picture post card images of a beautiful, crumbling grandeur that it’s shocking and startling. This is a modern day Italy of chronic unemployment, decaying infrastructure, and social stagnation. Director Matteo Garrone's unflinching portrait of a very real hell on earth won the Grand Prix at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. This isn't some art house picture looking to score style points by subverting the gangster paradigm. “Gomorrah” takes on a hard-hitting documentary feel, providing a horrific glimpse of everyday life on the lawless streets of Napoli.

Gomorrah is the name of a Biblical city synonymous with shameless sinners. The title of the Italian film "Gomorrah,” is a chilling descriptor and play on words referring to the "Camorra"- a notorious, violent, organized crime syndicate that controls the city of Naples and surrounding countryside. Garrone introduces us to the typical daily life inside this criminal state—and a little known criminal organization to the Western world. The film is based on Roberto Saviano's 2006 best selling novel "Gomorrah," who personally documented his dangerous first-person journey, and to this very day lives under police protection.

"Gomorrah" opens with a standard-issue mob hit and then, without ever pausing to explain, proceeds to map out the web of relations by which the Camorra ensnares its subjects and how it operates. Powerful crime bosses and crooked police officers are off-screen. Instead, we are introduced to the residents of Scampia--a notorious Neapolitan suburb that is a vast, disastrous structure of public housing. An ominous warren of concrete, steel piping, and oppressive apartment blocks, a setting every bit as menacing as Rio de Janeiro’s ‘Favela’ in “City of God” (2001). Crime and poverty are rampant, drugs are sold and consumed openly in the streets, and is widely recognized as the world's largest open-air drug market.

Director Matteo Garrone splinters the narrative, and then traces it along different commercial channels an industrial waste disposal service, an illegal garment manufacturer, a construction company, and the relentless drug wars that play out in the streets. Poison is the lifeblood of what Saviano simply refers to as "The System"-crack cocaine, chemical waste, tainted money, and creeping corruption. The movie maintains an authentic feel of "street level occupation," and contains no musical score, which only adds to the desolate story line and landscape. Unlike so many of its ancestors, from "Scarface" (1983) to "Goodfellas" (1990), fast money, accumulating wealth, and achieving status is the driving motivation behind the criminal activity. "Gomorrah" is not a sensationalistic film, far from glamorous, and there is never any sense of riches to be had.

It's a frightening and chilling experience to watch the reprehensible, ruthless violence perpetuate in the slums of Napoli’s. We reach a point in the film when the criminal activity and bloodshed is no longer startling; and it simply becomes the immediacy and sudden violent disruption of every day life. Nothing sweet or serene in this movie stays that way for long. There is no Hollywood gloss, or international stars involved in telling this story. Just a hollow point shot of gritty realism that a bulletproof vest can’t even stop.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

roberti.

Mar 28, 2009

An unblinking look into the abyss, where clan loyalty has become outright war, drawing in children, youth, the respectable middle-aged. Who can escape the pull of the mob, when the mob rules? Excellent and unsentimental verismo.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Eelo

Nov 15, 2018

Gomorrah was an intense and interesting way to give us insight on the corruption and violence caused by the mafia and I like that it didn't need to dramatize anything to deliver it's message. It was really authentic which made for an interesting style when dialogue, music and wardrobe cameGomorrah was an intense and interesting way to give us insight on the corruption and violence caused by the mafia and I like that it didn't need to dramatize anything to deliver it's message. It was really authentic which made for an interesting style when dialogue, music and wardrobe came into play. But as a story, I think it lacked in captivating the audience, however I see how this was sacrificed to deliver it's points. Therefore I see this film as more of a documentary film and I will rate it accordingly, thus, I will give it a 7.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JayH

Aug 3, 2009

Gritty, brutal and very realistically told through the stylish direction of Matteo Garrone. Not a pleasant film, it can be disturbing at times. It's a fine film, but it didn't "wow" me. Good acting. It seemed longer than it's 135 minute length.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

caporegime

Jun 10, 2009

Movie murdered the gomorrah and also the mafia. If you already know how the mafia works, then you don't have to see this movie because it only contains how they operate.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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