Men of Respect
Director: William Reilly
Actors: John Turturro, Katherine Borowitz, Dennis Farina
PlotIn a gritty, urban landscape, a hitman named Mike Battaglia becomes embroiled in the ruthless world of crime and ambition. He is a loyal enforcer for Charlie D’Amico, the powerful head of a crime family. Mike’s skills and unwavering loyalty earn him respect and influence within the organization. However, his ambitions are stoked by his wife Ruthie, whose relentless desire for power pushes him to aspire for leadership. During a gathering of crime family leaders, Mike receives a prophecy from an enigmatic gypsy woman that he will rise to great power. Consumed by the vision of his future, Mike and Ruthie begin to plot a course towards supremacy, setting in motion a series of events that lead to treachery and murder.
As Mike's actions draw suspicion, the underworld becomes a cauldron of tension and mistrust. His rapid ascent is met with increasing paranoia and violence as he navigates the complex politics of the criminal hierarchy. His former allies become wary, sensing danger in his ambition and temperament. Meanwhile, hallucinations and guilt torment Mike, threatening to unravel the empire he has built through bloodshed. The plot thickens as alliances crumble, loyalties are tested, and madness spreads like a disease, leaving betrayal and intrigue in its wake. In this dangerous game for power, every move could be his last as he battles external threats and his own inner demons.
Writers: William Reilly, William Shakespeare
Release Date: 18 Jan 1991
Runtime: 113 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Spanish
Home Video Reviews
Reilly's screenplay skillfully parallels Macbeth, but Turturro's miscasting and a reliance on crime cliches diminish its impact. Solid support cast helps.
Read our review of Men of Respect Blu-ray Imprint #341 Limited - 1,500 copies to find out more