Al-too-familiar story to many who have experienced capitalism creates the setting for The Florentine, 1999 drama directed by Nick Stagliano. Small mining/industrial town in Western Pennsylvania was struck hard by bad economy and jobs being exported overseas. Once proud citizens are reduced to mostly unemployed losers who take solace in one of town's rare remaining institutions - "The Florentine", bar owned by film's narrator Whitey (played by Michael Madsen). Whitey himself is in bad situation because he owes huge amount of money to local loan shark Joe McCollough (played by Burt Young). His best friend Bobby (played by Chris Penn) tries to supplement his illegal gambling income with distribution of counterfeit currency. He is more concerned with the way his marriage with Vikki (played by Mary Stuart Masterson) is crumbling than with possibility of getting caught. In the meantime, Vikki melancholically observes Molly (played by Virginia Madsen), her best friend and Whitey's sister, who is about to get married. In the meantime, Molly's ex boyfriend Teddy (played by Tom Sizemore) returns to town in order to start a new life. The youngest of all losers is Frankie (played by Luke Perry) who hopes to get rich through a deal with shady businessman Billy Belasco (played by James Belushi).
The biggest strength of The Florentine is the ensemble cast. This film features some of America's most popular and most dependable character actors. Many of them made reputation by playing violent and psychopathic criminals. This script was excellent opportunity to show a little bit more diversity by playing more ordinary set of characters. For Virginia Madsen, Michael's sister who made career by playing bombshell seductresses, The Florentine was nice way to play a woman next door. Great acting aside, this film is far from being satisfactory – the plot is weak and direction leaves much to be desired. However, thanks to skilfully created atmosphere of despair in American industrial wasteland, The Florentine deserves recommendation.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on October 14th 2004)
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