Lansky (1999) (TV)

Director:

John McNaughton

Writers (WGA):

Uri Dan (book) (in part) and
Dennis Eisenberg (book) (in part) ...

Release Date:

27 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

This is the telling of the life of organized crime boss, Meyer Lansky, as remembered by him as a very...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Richard Dreyfuss	...	Meyer Lansky
Eric Roberts	...	Ben Siegel (age 40)
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Charlie Luciano (ages 30-40)
Max Perlich	...	Meyer Lansky (20's)
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Teddy Lansky
Matthew Settle	...	Bugsy Siegel (20's)
Illeana Douglas	...	Anna Lansky
Francis Guinan	...	Sen. Estes Kefauver
Stanley DeSantis	...	Arnold Rothstein
Jeff Perry	...	Rosen
Ron Perkins	...	Polakoff
Maury Ginsberg	...	Uri Behar
Bill Capizzi	...	Joe Masseria
Ron Gilbert	...	Salvatore Maranzano
Sal Landi	...	Joe Adonis

MPAA:

Rated R for language, violence and nudity.

Runtime:

Germany:93 min | Spain:114 min | Argentina:98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:12 | USA:R | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Frederick Zollo Productions

Soundtrack:

In the Mood

Enough already

Made for HBO movies (particularly the ones with only one-word titles) have become the ‘in' thing these days. They carry a lot of prestige, and certain EMMY nomination for the lead (think Gary Sinise/Truman, Ving Rhames/Don King, Angelina Jolie/Gia). In fact, I'd venture a guess that most stars with a little forethought ask their agents ‘why can't I get one of those deals?'

They can be career builders, or a career jump-start, and suffice it to say there is incentive by many in the creative community to continue this lineage of quality programs.

But perhaps now the guild is off the rose. I mean, Meyer Lansky? The guy was boring in real life and even more so in the reincarnate. At least Gia was a lesbian drug addict.

Gangsters from Al Capone to Don Corleone have been romanticized quite successfully in films-but we know all that stuff. The made-for-HBO GOTTI should have foreshadowed to most that this genre has been overused, and abused.

Probably everything we need to know about Meyer Lansky we found out in fifteen minutes of BUGSY anyway.

Mamet's script is derivative and plodding, Richard Dreyfuss is not only unconvincing but over-the-top in his portrayal of Meyer Lansky. And the musical score is so retro-Godfather it's laughable.

Don't waste your time.