Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci Bring Comedy and Curves to Mafia Mamma
Not too long ago, there was a reality show called “Mob Wives” that I watched religiously! When Big Ang passed away, I was truly devastated like a member of my family! So, when news broke that a mob movie was happening where the action centers around strong, powerful women at the helm I was all in!
Kristin, (Toni Collette) a mild-mannered suburban mum unexpectedly inherits her late grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere Bianca (Monica Bellucci), she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations as she finds herself stuck in the middle of a deadly mob war.
It’s very rare that you see women taking charge in any genre of film, but it is especially delicious when they are over 40, gorgeous and smart. Toni Collette envelopes every ounce of talent she has into the role laced with unbridled comedy. Collette’s timing is impeccable and brought me back to her shenanigans on HBO in “United States of Tara.” The chemistry with her and Sophia Nomvette is pure magic!!! Monica Bellucci is every bit as cunning and smart as she is gorgeous. Bellucci make Bianca someone you truly would fear and respect simultaneously
When Jenny (Sophia Nomvette) encourages Kristin to make her unexpected trip to Italy a journey of Eat – Pray – F*&k ( aka Eat Pray Love) it’s a set up for some of the funniest scenes I have seen in a minute. Don’t let the comedy fool you though, when there is violence it is unapologetically graphic, ie, when Kristin kills an assassin in the eye with a pump ala “Single White Female” style. Not to mention that I can’t ever recall seeing a curvy woman of color as part of a mob movie in the form of Sophia Nomvette who is pure comedy!! Kudos on all of that!
The overall vibe of the film will give you a darker version of “Married To The Mob,” an old Michelle Pfeiffer film with the late Dean Caldwell, with numerous nods to my personal favorite “The Godfather.”
Directed by “Twilight’s” Catherine Hardwicke with a lukewarn script from Amanda Sthers, J. Michael Feldman and Mafia Mamma never takes itself too serious while allowing audiences to celebrate the power of women not needing a man’s approval to validate her existence.
Carla Renata
I love, love love movies, watching them and discussing them...thus the birth of The Curvy Film Critic!!! Host/Producer/FilmCritic,Carla Renata is a member of such esteemed organizations as Critics Choice Association (Co-President Documentary Branch), African American Film Critics Association, Online Association of Female Film Critics and Alliance of Women Film Journalists. My op-eds or features have been seen in VARIETY, RogerEbert.com, Maltin on Movies, The Cherry Picks, IGN Movies, as well as being a frequent Guest Contributor to Fox 11-LA, Good Day LA, ET Live!, Turner Classic Movies, KCRW Press Play with Madeline Brand, The Cherry Picks, The Stream Team (Beond TV) ITV, Fox Soul's The Black Report, The ListTV and more. Catch my reviews on The Curvy Critic with Carla Renata - LIVE!!! Sundays 5pm PST via You Tube or Facebook Live. If you like what you read please shout me out and subscribe to The Curvy Critic on YouTube. You can chat with me across all social media platforms @TheCurvyCritic and as always, thanks for supporting a sista'
One Comment
Kara H
I too absolutely loved Mafia Mamma ( I’ve watched it 3 times since purchasing it ). I found it absolutely hilarious and super cute.