On E List of Movie Reviews

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Excellent Cadavers (1999)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 4/21

ExcCada
4/21: I have read a lot about the Mafia in the United States but nothing in Italy, so Excellent Cadavers does an excellent job of filling me in.

Honestly, I wanted to rate the film higher, but it's too small scale for such a huge topic. Filmed in Palermo and Rome, the paltry running length of 86 minutes isn't helpful. Yet it's a fascinating movie with a documentary feel. There's no question that Giovanni Falcone was a hero.

Chazz Palminteri's acting is terrific, and he puts forth a very sincere effort about the problem of corruption in Italy. It's largely the reason why the developing (not developed, mind you) third-world country can't be taken seriously despite the rich cultural history.

Almost no better than Greece, Italy's economy is, simply put, a disaster. Fascism during WWII, which allowed the rise of Benito Mussolini, didn't do the nation any favors in terms of image. Whatever the problems the country is currently having, I can't sympathize with it. To improve them is to get rid of the corruption, and that begins with the Mafia.

All in all, a bigger budget and a longer running time will improve Excellent Cadavers more.