Rob the Mob Blu-ray Review

Millennium Entertainment's Blu-ray presentation of "Rob the Mob" operates within a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, deviating from the original 2.39:1. This adjustment eliminates horizontal black bars, ostensibly offering a more immersive fullscreen experience. However, this results in notable visual compromises, especially during specific scenes such as the dialogue exchange between Tommy and Bobby at the 1:12:40 mark, where characters appear awkwardly cropped. Image clarity remains consistent but does not astonish; fine details in clothing, facial features, and set decorations range from standard 1080p quality to slightly above average.

The 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer delivers a high level of detail throughout, maintaining a compelling sense of time and place. The deliberate filtering to age the film's look subtly impacts contrast, particularly in daylight exteriors, and slightly muting colors to convey the past's ambiance. While background elements and textures are nicely detailed, the image tends towards a washed-out appearance with white levels that inhibit deeper black tones, affecting overall contrast.

Despite these issues, like moderate globs of noise in black levels and occasional compression artifacts in scenes from later parts of the film, such as when Big Al addresses his men, the transfer manages to stay largely free from major distortions. Warmish, golden-hued backdrops display good color tone but never fully captivate, aligning with this restrained visual approach. While the video quality has its limitations, it aligns well enough with what the filmmakers intended to depict, even if it occasionally falls short in delivering visually stunning moments.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Rob the Mob" features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that, while proficient, does not particularly stand out. Dialogue is clear and naturally rendered from the center channel, with certain scenes benefiting from light reverberation that enhances the immersive courtroom sequences. Ambient effects are notably well-executed, including subtle elements like audience movements and external city sounds, which help create a vivid soundscape. However, some critical moments, such as gunfire, suffer from underwhelming impact, sounding more akin to low-power fireworks than high-powered shots.

Additionally, the balance within the mix occasionally has issues, with atmospheric sound effects sometimes overwhelming dialogue. While the front left and right speakers handle the majority of the music and direct effects adeptly, and there's commendable use of the rear channels to foster an immersive experience, there are instances where the dialogue is slightly muffled or lower than expected. This imbalance can detract from scenes where character interactions should be the focal point. On a positive note, the soundtrack and score are well-distributed across the soundstage, bolstered by sufficient LFE to enhance depth during key scenes.

Overall, though the audio quality demonstrates clear dialogue and competent ambient effects, it falls short of excellence due to occasional uneven levels and unimpressive gunfire sounds. Nonetheless, the well-executed front and surround channels contribute to a generally pleasant and engaging aural experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Rob the Mob" offer a comprehensive dive into the film's backstory and production through a well-crafted Director’s Commentary and a selection of deleted scenes. Raymond De Felitta’s commentary navigates viewers from a succinct production history to detailed discussions on 1990s New York, music, shooting locations, and character insights. This track is engaging despite its unusual complete absence of the film's audio, leaving only the director’s narration, which can be jarring during pauses. The deleted scenes provide further context with extended glimpses into pivotal moments and characters that didn’t make the final cut, enriching the viewing experience. These features are essential for enthusiasts wanting a deeper understanding of the film beyond its narrative.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Raymond De Felitta discusses various aspects including production history, character development, and shooting locations.
• Deleted Scenes: Extended and additional scenes enhancing certain sequences.
  • Coney: An apologetic Griffin Dunne scene.
  • Just Want to Tell Your Story - Extended: Romano's character interviewing Pitt and Arianda.
  • Post-Robbery/Mom's Christmas: Featuring Aida Turturro in a role cut from the final film.

"Rob the Mob," directed by Raymond De Felitta and written by Jonathan Fernandez, is a compelling true-crime drama that deftly transcends the superficiality its title might suggest. Set against the backdrop of the infamous John Gotti trial, the film unfolds the audacious scheme of a small-time criminal couple, Tommy (Michael Pitt) and Rosie (Nina Arianda), as they target mafia social clubs during a vulnerable period for organized crime. The narrative's strength lies in its poetic construction, well-drawn characters, and a keen exploration of the human condition. De Felitta and Fernandez inject emotional depth and authenticity, delivering a fast-paced, well-crafted picture from a promising start to a predictable yet deeply satisfying end.

Visually and structurally cohesive, "Rob the Mob" avoids overindulgence in cinematic artifice, allowing its engaging story to shine. Michael Pitt and Nina Arianda exhibit exceptional chemistry, convincingly portraying a pair so enmeshed in their love that they fail to grasp the severe consequences of their actions. Pitt masterfully balances his portrayal of Tommy between eager naivety and scoundrel charm, while Arianda emphasizes Rosie's evolving belief in their misguided mission. The film benefits from an eclectic supporting cast, including Andy Garcia as a nuanced crime boss and Ray Romano as a sympathetic journalist bridging disparate story arcs.

Despite some attempts at broader thematic resonance that do not entirely coalesce, the film remains engrossing. The screenplay's ambition occasionally dilutes the narrative by introducing ancillary characters that serve to advance the plot superficially rather than enrich it. Nevertheless, "Rob the Mob" harmoniously blends various tones – from darkly serious to romantic – maintaining an engaging rhythm throughout. This not only reflects De Felitta's adept direction but also ensures that the movie builds towards a bittersweet but apt finale, marking it as an admirable entry in the true-crime genre.

"Rob the Mob" presents a captivating tale that straddles between crime drama and human interest, making it compelling yet divisive. At its core, it portrays characters who teeter between morally ambiguous decisions and complex motivations, delivering a narrative that humanizes both their flaws and their virtues. The leads exhibit exceptional chemistry, and the character-driven storytelling ensures the audience remains invested throughout. The Blu-ray release by Millennium offers a proficient High Definition transfer with strong and stable black levels. Colors lean slightly warm, and while the film's design inherently opts for a softer image, fine details are well-preserved. Audio quality is commendable, featuring decent ambiance in effect channels and dynamic range during the soundtrack moments.

However, some critics highlight the film's indecisiveness in genre classification, bouncing between gritty mob drama and comedic farce. This oscillation results in a somewhat disjointed viewer experience, as it often seems torn between its dual intentions. While Andy Garcia’s performance hints at a deeper, more serious crime saga, Ray Romano's scenes inject a levity that might seem at odds with the film's overall tone. Nonetheless, the commentary track included is surprisingly insightful, providing additional value to the Blu-ray package despite some narrative coherence issues.

In conclusion, Millennium's Blu-ray release of "Rob the Mob" is technically sound with good picture and audio quality. While the film may struggle with genre consistency, its character-driven plot and strong performances make it an engaging watch. Recommended for its fascinating story and the chemistry of its leads, it may appeal more to viewers who appreciate nuanced character studies over straightforward genre fare.