Get Mobbed
In which I promote my next creative writing workshop and recommend mob movies you may not have heard of...
Dear Reader,
First things first: I’m hosting another creative writing workshop in September! Come on down!
Wednesday, September 11, 7-8 p.m.
“How to Start a Mystery Novel” Creative Writing Workshop
at Books Inc., Palo Alto in Palo Alto, CA.
Free event, please RSVP.
Also, in honor of They Shut Me Up’s four-and-a-half month birthday,1 I wanted to recommend four mob or mob-adjacent crime movies that you might not have heard of. Goodfellas, The Godfather, and The Departed are all obviously great,2 but there are a lot of slightly offbeat movies that are absolutely worth a look if you’re at all interested in different takes on the mob genre (and you should be, if you like my book).3
Mikey and Nicky (1976)
Famous comedian and writer Elaine May grew up around several “connected” men and wrote and directed this movie, starring Peter Falk4 and John Cassavetes,5 who play two low-level mobsters who’ve been friends since childhood. Nicky is convinced the mob wants him dead; Mikey is trying to calm him down. As the movie unfolds, you find out more and more about their friendship and how it does and doesn’t affect them as criminals. I love how grimy, funny, and petty the characters are. I saw this after I wrote my book, but they have similar tones. Currently streaming on Max.
The Grifters (1990)
This one is more about con men (and women) than mobsters, but it has a lowdown, grimy crime atmosphere that connects to my book and the others on this list. John Cusack is Anjelica Huston’s son (she had him very young) and an up-and-coming con man, Anjelica Huston is an established but very exhausted pro trying to get out of the life, and Annette Bening is John Cusack’s girlfriend, working every angle she possibly can. This movie is sad, sordid, and heartbreaking, and it’s one of John Cusack’s best performances, IMHO.6 You probably have to rent this one.
Sexy Beast (2000)
You probably know by now that I love an insecure gangster, and Ben Kingsley in this movie is one of the best. If you want a gangster story that is essentially about how one man is angry that everyone else is hanging out without him, this is one to check out. (It’s also got English gangsters, which is a great subgenre of the gangster film universe.) Probably have to rent this one, too.
Gomorrah (2009)
An Italian movie, directed by Matteo Garrone and based on a non-fiction book by Roberto Saviano about the Camorra crime syndicate in Naples. Saviano received death threats for his exposé of this particular crime family and has been under police protection since 2006, so this is about as accurate and realistic as a mob movie can get. The movie is extraordinary, brutal, and beautifully made. Currently streaming on Prime Video.
I now expect you to watch all four of these movies right away.7 Either that, or read my book and write an Amazon and/or Goodreads review.
Cassandra
Travel photo of the month:
Ponte Sisto in Rome.
Fake news corner:
Real news corner:
What security guards think of museum art.
Quote of the month:
“I had not thought of this disfigured robber having had a childhood. I expect he was mean to cats and made rude noises in church when he was not asleep.”
—Charles Portis, True Grit
If it were a baby, apparently it might be smiling by now. As a book, and this particular book, it’s more likely to be smirking.
Ask a man, any man!
And you should like my book. A LOT. bit.ly/theyshutmeup
Yes, Columbo.
Yes, the terrible husband from Rosemary’s Baby and also a very well-regarded actor and director in his own right.
Except for his voice performance as Demetri in Anastasia, which I have always and will always love.
There will be a quiz.
Love your writing Cassandra and v pleased to read about the films. I've seen "Sexy Beast" - NOT a fan, but each to her own. Will check out the others!
Sian