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Ghost Canyon

'Find Me Guilty'
(Vin Diesel, Peter Dinklage, et al / DVD / R / (2005) 2006 / 20th Century Fox)

Overview: A drama based on the longest Mafia trial in U.S. history, mobster Jack DiNorscio (Diesel), faced with a series of charges, decides to stand trial instead of ratting out his family and associates. A wrench is thrown into the system when DiNorscio opts to defend himself.

DVD Verdict: Duplicitous values and ethics pepper this fine little courtroom comedy drama, a Sidney Lumet special that has a carefully chosen cast of fine actors and a story based on fact (much of the script being lifted from actual courtroom transcriptions) that is both informative and entertaining and offers Vin Diesel the opportunity to test his chops at serious acting. Other than the opening scene when Giacomo "Jackie Dee" DiNorscio (Vin Diesel) is shot several times in his bedroom, the entire film takes place in jail cells and the courtroom that housed the longest criminal trial in American history. Jackie's fanatic devotion to the pledge never to rat on family or friends is put to the test in a case against several Mafioso characters. The trial is presided over by Judge Finestein (a superb Ron Silver) with prosecuting attorney Sean Kierney (Linus Roache in a strong departure from his usual screen characters) and among the defense attorneys is the lead attorney Ben Klandis (Peter Dinklage, once again proving he is a powerhouse of an actor). Jackie acts as his own attorney and this is the joy of the film: watching a good fella with a sixth grade education rely on his intuition and charisma with the jury to bring down a verdict thought impossible is not only a delight to see as a role for Diesel, but gains a respect for a character who at the outset seems far from deserving of same. The supporting roles include the consisitently fine Annabella Sciora as Jackie's ex-wife, Alex Rocco as the acerbic despicable Nick Calabrese, Raul Esparza as the perpetrator of the gunshots and the smarmy FBI rat witness against Jackie, and so many more. In a film of this caliber it is odd that the sound editor did not have the courtesy to filter out the ambient courtroom noise that at times buries much of the softer, and very poignant dialogue. While we are in the courtroom (which is the major part of the film) the noise from the air conditioning, or camera gear or whatever just rumbles along intrusively. But even that technical faux pas doesn't diminish the work of Sidney Lumet nor dim the fine performance by Vin Diesel, complete with prosthetic additions to his body to make him appear more like the real life 'Fat Jack' than the hunks Diesel usually plays! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

"Conversations with Sidney Lumet" featurette
Trailer and TV spots

www.FoxStore.com





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