10th & Wolf (2006)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Robert Moresco

Writers (WGA):

Robert Moresco (written by) and
Allan Steele (written by)

Release Date:

12 April 2007 (Lebanon)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The intersection where family, honor and betrayal collide.

Plot:

A former street tough returns to his Philadelphia home after a stint in the military. Back on his home turf, he once again finds himself tangling with the mob boss who was instrumental in his going off to be a soldier.

Plot Keywords:

Desert Storm | Mob | Strangulation | Undercover | Beaten To Death

Cast

James Marsden	...	Tommy
Brian Dennehy	...	Agent Horvath
Leo Rossi	...	Agent Thornton
Dennis Hopper	...	Matty Matello
Tony Luke Jr.	...	Rocco
John Capodice	...	Sipio
Billy Gallo	...	Provenzano
Ken Garito	...	Willy
Dash Mihok	...	Junior
Brad Renfro	...	Vincent
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Joey
Rose Rossi	...	Blonde at Diner
James Grimaldi	...	Ricky Jerk-Off
Patrick Jordan	...	Ricky's Crew
Igor De Laurentiis	...	Ricky's crew
Joe Pistone	...	Ricky's Crew
Piper Perabo	...	Brandy
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Tina
Jeffrey Tott	...	Angelo 11 year old at funeral (as Jeffrey W. Tott II)
Barry Sigismondi	...	Benedetto
Michilline Arvie	...	Emergency Room Doctor
Sonny Marinelli	...	Jimmy
Tommy Lee	...	Jimmy Tattoo
Jude Moresco	...	Joey's Gang Member
Corina Marie	...	Doreen
Amanda Moresco	...	Missy
Val Kilmer	...	Murtha
Brian Thomas	...	Drunken Club Patron
Doreen Dunlap	...	Hancock
J.R. Cacia	...	Tony - Forklift Operator
Francesco Salvi	...	Luciano Reggio
Dan Trevelino	...	Florio
Jason Collins	...	Pagliacci
Veronica De Laurentiis	...	Angelina - Reggio's Wife
Larry Demme	...	Man in Tuxedo
Patrick Brennan	...	Night Manager at Pharmacy
Trenton Rupecht	...	Willy Junior
James Heaphy	...	Detective
Paul Rosenbaum	...	Jefferson
Frank Sisto	...	Harry
Daniel M. Wholey	...	Himself
Tony Devon	...	Sicilian
Johnny Ligato	...	Sicilian (as John Legato)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joey Boombotze	...	Joey
Jeffrey Jones	...	Club Patron
Jared Ward	...	Trent
Aaron Bernard	...	Slick (Joey's Crew) (uncredited)
Margot Boecker	...	Waitress (uncredited)
Atticus Cain	...	S.W.A.T officer (uncredited)
Frank Cordek	...	Wannabe (uncredited)
John Donaldson	...	Bar Patron (uncredited)
Jesse Gullion	...	Milk Shake Guy (uncredited)
Nickole Horrell	...	Nurse / OR Technician (uncredited)
John W. Iwanonkiw	...	FBI at checkout line (uncredited)
Pete Landis	...	Pistol Pete (uncredited)
Meritt Latimore	...	Sleeping Girl on Bus (uncredited)
David Morse	...	Gentlemen's Club patron (uncredited)
Shaun O'Donnell	...	Pedestrian (uncredited)
Ben O'Rourke	...	Marine Major (uncredited)
Patrick Kernan Quinn	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Ingrid Sonnichsen	...	Mrs.Grosso (uncredited)
Sonny Vellozzi	...	Gentleman Club Patron (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Moresco		(as Bobby Moresco)

Writing credits (WGA)
Robert Moresco		(written by) (as Bobby Moresco) and
Allan Steele		(written by)

Produced by
Karen Armstrong	....	associate producer
Suzanne DeLaurentiis	....	executive producer
Suzanne DeLaurentiis	....	producer
Randi Emerman	....	associate producer
George Engel	....	co-producer
Ivan Kavalsky	....	co-producer
Joseph D. Murphy	....	producer (as Joseph Murphy)
Joseph Pistone	....	producer
Leo Rossi	....	producer
Alain Silver	....	supervising producer
Frank Sisto	....	associate producer
Jeffrey W. Tott	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Aaron Zigman

Cinematography by
Alex Nepomniaschy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Harvey Rosenstock

Casting by
Karen Armstrong

Production Design by
Rando Schmook

Art Direction by
Paul Bucciarelli

Set Decoration by
Diana Stoughton

Costume Design by
Abigail Murray

Makeup Department
Patty Bell	....	makeup artist
Jo Crowley	....	makeup department head
Amanda Dunbar	....	key hair stylist: Kuwait and military base units
Jeannee Josefczyk	....	makeup artist: Lesley Ann Warren
Rachel Kick	....	makeup artist
Karen Lovell	....	assistant hair stylist
Rosalee Riggle	....	key hair stylist (as Rosalee Riggles)

Production Management
Mark Ean	....	unit production manager
George Engel	....	production supervisor (as George M. Engel)
Alain Silver	....	production manager
Michael Toji	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Scott Cameron	....	first assistant director
Paolo Durazzo	....	second second assistant director
Simone Farber	....	second assistant director
Rick Feder	....	second assistant director: kuwait and military base units
JoAnne Lowrie	....	trainee assistant director (as JoAnn Lowrie)

Art Department
Jon Ankeny	....	carpenter (as Jonathan Ankany)
Jeffrey Ault	....	carpenter (as Jeffrey K. Ault)
Mark Barill	....	charge scenic (as Mark A. Barill)
Cori Beredino	....	carpenter
Brandy Bock	....	portrait artist
Kevin C. Brady	....	carpenter
Mike Brown	....	carpenter: Kuwait and military base units
Steve Brown	....	construction coordinator: Kuwait and military base units
Robert Buncher	....	construction gangboss (as Bob Buncher)
Curt Butterbaugh	....	laborer (as Curt Buterbaugh)
Renee Cash	....	art director: Kuwait and military base units
Ray Crowell	....	scenic
Darien N. D'Alfonso	....	portrait artist (as Darien N. Alfonso)
Darien N. D'Alfonso	....	scenic foreman (as Darien N. Alfonso)
Bill Dalzell	....	on-set dresser (as Bill Dalzell III)
Fred 'Fredo' Donatelli	....	set dresser
Regis Donehue	....	carpenter
Regis Donehue	....	set dresser
Dennis Dubart	....	carpenter
Guy Paul Faulkner	....	carpenter
Frank Flynn	....	carpenter
Eileen Garrigan	....	scenic gang boss
Thomas J. Garrigan	....	assistant property master (as Tom Garrigan)
Megan Graham	....	on-set dresser
Paula Gregg	....	on-set dresser
Craig Hahn	....	carpenter
Jim Heastings	....	carpenter
Don Hedenburg	....	scenic
William Huchison	....	scenic
Smith Harper Hutchings	....	buyer (as Smith Hutchings)
Kenneth J. Kellers	....	leadman (as Ken Kellers)
Jason Kuzia	....	props: Kuwait and military base units
Lara Lampenfield	....	scenic (as Laura Lampenfield)
Jeff Lavezoli	....	storyboard artist
Lauri Mancuso	....	set dresser
Thomas McDonough	....	carpenter
Mara McFalls	....	art department supervisor
Norman Merrill	....	property master: Kuwait and military base units
Norman Merrill	....	set dresser: Kuwait and military base units
Jeremy Michael	....	carpenter: Kuwait and military base units
Mary O'Brien	....	scenic artist
Mary O'Brien	....	scenic
Ray Pivirotto	....	set dresser
Gregory Puchalski	....	on-set painter
Gregory Puchalski	....	sign painter (as Gregg Puchalski)
Arthur Shippee	....	property master
April Smith	....	art department assistant
Mamie Stein	....	second assistant property master (as Mamie Kay Stein)
Darlene Vitous	....	scenic
Joseph Waterkotte	....	construction coordinator (as Joe Waterkotte)
Sean Leroy West	....	carpenter (as Sean West)

Sound Department
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley walker
Ethan Beigel	....	adr assistant
Sandy Berman	....	sound designer
Sandy Berman	....	sound supervisor
Brian Best	....	sound editor
Curt Cash	....	adr mixer
Curt Cash	....	foley mixer
Curt Cash	....	sound mix engineer
Paolo Durazzo	....	adr editor: Pittsburgh
Jim Emswiller	....	production sound mixer
John Evans	....	boom operator
Danny Ferraro	....	adr mixer: Pittsburgh Sweet Sounds (as Dan Ferraro)
Donald Flick	....	foley editor
Avram D. Gold	....	adr editor (as Avram Dean Gold)
Eric Justen	....	sound re-recording mixer
Dennis Maitland	....	second boom operator
Dennis Maitland	....	sound utility
Jeffrey Perkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
Stuart Provine	....	sound effects editor
Jim Ridgley	....	production sound mixer: pick-ups
Shelley Roden	....	foley walker
Debby Ruby-Winsberg	....	adr mixer (as Debby Winsberg)
Debby Ruby-Winsberg	....	foley mixer (as Debby Winsberg)
Victoria Rose Sampson	....	dialogue supervisor
Steve Schatz	....	assistant sound
Steve Schatz	....	sound effects mixer: temp
Solange S. Schwalbe	....	foley supervisor (as Solange of Hollywood)
Nav Singh	....	sound service manager
David Spence	....	dialogue editor
Joseph Tsai	....	sound effects editor
Robert Ulrich	....	adr supervisor
Karen White	....	sound service manager
Aaron Wilcox	....	sound re-recording projectionist

Special Effects by
James Camomile	....	additional special effects person
Jason Gustafson	....	additional special effects person
Casey Pritchett	....	special effects technician (as William Casey Pritchett)
Corey Pritchett	....	assistant special effects coordinator (as Robert Corey Pritchett)
Darrell Pritchett	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Adam Avitabile	....	digital compositor: LOOK! Effects Inc.
Howard Cohen	....	production executive: iO Film
Joshua D. Comen	....	visual effects producer: LOOK! Effects Inc. (as Josh Comen)
Christopher Dusendschon	....	digital imaging supervisor: iO FILM
Evan Edelist	....	production executive: iO Film
Jenny Foster	....	visual effects coordinator: LOOK! Effects Inc.
Adam Hawkey	....	digital film colorist
Danny S. Kim	....	digital compositor: LOOK! Effects Inc. (as Danny Kim)
Michael John Koetter	....	digital intermediate editor (as Michael Koetter)
Tim Krubsack	....	production executive: iO Film
Julie Landholt	....	producer: iO Film (as J. Kathryn Landholt)
Brian Lutge	....	digital artist: LOOK! Effects Inc.
Michael Mintz	....	digital film colorist
Kevin Mullican	....	color science/imaging r&d: iO Film
Marlo Pabon	....	visual effects supervisor: LOOK! Effects Inc.
Francis Puthanangadi	....	digital compositor: LOOK! Effects Inc.
Tefft Smith	....	digital artist: LOOK! Effects Inc. (as Tefft Smith II)
Clay Sparks	....	digital editor: LOOK! Effects Inc.

Stunts
Matt Baker	....	stunt performer (as Matthew Baker)
Daniel W. Barringer	....	stunt performer (as Dan Barringer)
Ray Baum	....	stunt performer
Keith Campbell	....	stunt performer
Eric Chambers	....	stunt performer
David D. Darling	....	stunt performer
Craig Davis	....	stunt double
Darrell Davis	....	stunt double: Giovanni Ribisi
Andy Dylan	....	stunt double: James Marsden
Corey Michael Eubanks	....	stunt performer (as Cory Eubanks)
Greg Fitzpatrick	....	stunt performer
Mickey Giacomazzi	....	stunt performer
Steve Holladay	....	stunt performer (as Steve Holiday)
Lisa Hoyle	....	stunt double: Piper Perabo
Michael Hugghins	....	stunt performer
Terry Jackson	....	stunt performer
Brandon Johnson	....	stunt double
Ralf Koch	....	stunts
Ralph Koch	....	stunt performer
Oakley Lehman	....	stunt performer
Malosi Leonard	....	stunt performer
Kurt D. Lott	....	stunt performer (as Kurt Lott)
Tom McComas	....	stunt performer
Carrick O'Quinn	....	stunt performer
Víctor Quintero	....	stunt performer
Kerry Rossall	....	stunt coordinator
Lincoln Simonds	....	stunt performer (as Lincoln Simmons)
Pete Turner	....	stunt performer

Camera and Electrical Department
Blane Allan	....	crane grip (as Blaine Allan)
Alexander Andres	....	camera loader
Alexander Andres	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Hospecio Balani	....	best boy electric: Kuwait and military base units (as Bud Balani)
Sammy Beavers	....	best boy electric
Steve Belsky	....	camera operator: Kuwait and military base units (as Stephen Belsky)
Steve Belsky	....	chief lighting technician (as Stephen Belsky)
Robert Bender	....	rigging gaffer
Jarrett Buba	....	additional grip
Brian 'Buzz' Buzzelli	....	dolly grip (as Brian Buzzelli)
Travis Cadalzo	....	camera loader
Barker Carter	....	rigging lamp operator
Andrew Casey	....	Steadicam operator: "b" camera
Eddie San Chan	....	lamp operator: Kuwait and military base units (as Eddie Chan)
Eric Dilucente	....	additional lamp operator
Ray 'Chazz' Edwards	....	additional grip
Jeremy Emerman	....	epk
Stanley Fernandez Jr.	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Stanley Fernandez)
Bart Flaherty	....	company grip
John P. Fleenor	....	lamp operator (as John Fleenor)
Rocky W. Ford	....	key grip (as Rocky Ford)
Jeff Garton	....	rigging gaffer
Adrian Jebef	....	loader: Kuwait and military base units
Adrian Jebef	....	second assistant camera: Kuwait and military base units
David 'Yoko' Jose	....	grip
Gábor Kövér	....	camera operator (as Gabor Kover)
Peter Kuttner	....	first assistant camera
Bela Lehoczky	....	company grip
John R. Leonetti	....	lamp operator
Robert Litomisky	....	first assistant camera: Kuwait and military base units
Ricky Long	....	best boy
Diana Lyn	....	still photographer
David Maddux	....	gaffer: Luwait and military base units (as Dave Maddux)
David Fred Masselink	....	digital imaging technician: iO Film (as D. Fred Masselink)
David McSwain	....	dolly grip
Hollis Meminger	....	second assistant camera
Chris Muchow	....	rigging lamp operator
Jean-Pierre Nutini	....	additional lamp operator
Jay Parillo	....	best boy grip: Kuwait and military base uits
John Payne	....	digital imaging technician: iO Film
Justin Pelissero	....	additional grip
Tom Pellegrino	....	lamp operator (as Tom Pellegrini)
John Alan Roush	....	rigging lamp operator (as John Roosh)
Doug Stanczak	....	additional grip
Adam Stevenson	....	lamp operator
Nick Tallo	....	grip
Randy Tambling	....	key grip: Kuwait and military base units (as Randy Tombling)
Jeff Vandermolen	....	additional lamp operator
Zoran Zdrnja	....	additional grip
Ryan Gronquist	....	camera intern (uncredited)
J. Dan Wright	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Nathan Baran	....	extras casting intern
Nathan Cornett	....	extras casting intern
Ann DeLaurentis	....	casting: location
Brad Gareis	....	extras casting assistant
Brad Garris	....	extras casting assistant
Brad Greenfield	....	extras casting assistant
Brent Greenfield	....	extras casting coordinator
Roberta Greenfield	....	executive casting assistant
Cary Hill	....	extras casting intern

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mary Beschen	....	costumer
Monte Cholmeley-Jones	....	costumer (as Montie Cholmeley-Jones)
Diane Collins	....	costume supervisor
Cathy Denning	....	wardrobe intern
Blake Ellison	....	costumer: Kuwait and military base units
Michelle M. Pershing	....	key set costumer (as Michelle Pershing)
Eileen Sieff Stroup	....	costume supervisor
Michele Ward	....	costume assistant: Los Angeles

Editorial Department
Stacey S. Clipp	....	first assistant editor
Joe Fineman	....	post-production consultant: EPC
Susan Van Belkum-Ridgely	....	post-production assistant

Music Department
Natalie Baartz	....	music supervisor
John Bissell	....	music supervisor
Johnny Caruso	....	music editor
Michael Stern	....	music scoring mixer
Jesse Voccia	....	electronic music performer
Sam Zeines	....	music coordinator
Aaron Zigman	....	music score producer

Transportation Department
Michael Barry	....	driver
Jamie Becshinski	....	driver: Ms. DeLaurentiis & Mr. Tott
Jamie Beschinski	....	driver
John 'Bubba' Branch	....	driver
Daniel H. Fleet	....	driver
Leo Funk	....	driver
Louis Hernandez	....	driver: cast
Chris Hoerger	....	driver
Kathy Jandrokovic	....	driver
Kenneth Jones	....	driver
Michael G. Kondos	....	driver
Donald A. Kraus	....	transportation captain: Pittzburgh (as Donald Kraus)
Richard P. Mareno	....	driver
Dan McCarthy	....	driver
Tom McCue	....	driver
Timothy McLaughlin	....	driver
Rob Neil	....	driver: cast
Joseph C. Pokorny	....	transportation co-captain: Pittsburgh (as Joe Pokorny)
Martha Pruette	....	assistant to transportation coordinator (as Martha 'Marty' Pruette)
Martha Pruette	....	transportation dispatcher (as Martha 'Marty' Pruette)
Vince Riggle	....	driver: honeywagon
Ted Robison	....	transportation coordinator
Kevin Roche	....	driver
Joe Rogers	....	driver
Kevin Smith	....	driver
Henry J. Stec	....	driver
Andy Straub	....	transportation coordinator: Kuwait and military base units
Sandy Watersnick	....	driver: cast
Tom Weifenbach	....	driver
Keith Wichryk	....	driver
Stella Zambrano	....	driver
Eric F. Zechender	....	driver
Michael Zinobile	....	driver: cast (as Zinobile)

Other crew
David Bacon	....	production assistant: re-shoots
Joshua A. Baker	....	location assistant (as Josh Baker)
Nathan Baran	....	production intern
Robert Barlow	....	production intern
Blake Baxendell	....	production assistant
Blake Baxendell	....	production intern
Greg Bell	....	key set production assistant
Steven Blumenfeld	....	product placement
Roland Bowen	....	stand-in
Lee Brody	....	product placement
Jake Buchheit	....	office intern
Kyle Castrovinci	....	production assistant: Pittsburgh
Martyn Church	....	stand-in
Katie Clarke	....	payroll clerk
Carol A. Compton	....	script clearance: Indie-Clear (as Carol Compton)
Chris Derbish	....	teacher
Tom Dixon	....	production intern
Drury Dupre	....	assistant chef
Joshua Dupre	....	assistant chef (as Joshua 'Chuckie' Dupre)
Lynn Eastman-Rossi	....	assistant: Bobby Moresco
Analeisa Ecker	....	production secretary
John Elerick	....	office intern
Jeremy Emerman	....	executive assistant
Barbara Galipo	....	payroll clerk
Larry Geyer	....	assistant production coordinator
Barret Hackney	....	stand-in (as Barrett Hackney)
Jim Hanna	....	chef
Brian Hendrick	....	executive assistant (as Brian Hendricks)
Heidi Hinzman	....	set production assistant
Stephen Hough	....	assistant location manager (as Steve Hough)
Shari Huggins	....	production insurance: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Patrick Jordan	....	stand-in
Gordon K. Kee	....	production accountant (as Col. Gordon Kee)
Mike Khalil	....	set production assistant
Andrea Kubala	....	production office assistant
Bill Leon	....	stand-in
Anthony Lucca	....	assistant accountant (as Anthony 'Executive' Lucca)
James A. Mahathey	....	location manager (as James Mahathey)
Peter Marsh	....	production intern
Jay Mason	....	script supervisor
Brendan McFadden	....	production assistant
Erik F. Miller	....	production intern (as Erik Miller)
Matthew Moeini	....	stand-in: Tommy Lee
Jen Nutter	....	production assistant: Pittsburgh
Walt Oggier	....	coordinator: Pittsburgh police (as Lt. Walt Oggier)
Steve Parys	....	location scout
Celeste Pietrusza	....	assistant: Bobby Moresco
Roger Poirier	....	assistant chef
Tara Prest	....	stand-in
Lance Ripka	....	production intern
Marisol Romero	....	production assistant: Los Angeles (as Christine Romero)
Katie Sarvis	....	office assistant
Nina Saxon	....	title designer
Robert L. Seigel	....	production legal (as Robert Seigel)
Drew Smith	....	craft service
Mary Beth Spears	....	set medic
Vickie Toner	....	production coordinator
Matt Veltri	....	stand-in
Sandy Villetti	....	office coordinator: Los Angeles
Robert Wiche	....	production intern
Kristen Lindberg	....	production office assistant: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Yoram Tal	....	symphony artist (uncredited)

Thanks
Dino De Laurentiis	....	dedicatee (as Dino A. De Laurentiis Jr.)
John Vincent DeLaurentis	....	dedicatee (as John V. De Laurentis)
Larry Demme	....	special thanks
Kevin T. Dumond	....	dedicatee
Jeffrey W. Tott	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions

Distributors

• 10th & Wolf (2005-2006) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• THINKFilm (2006) (Canada) (theatrical)
• THINKFilm (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Movie Bank (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (rental)

Special Effects

• LOOK! Effects (digital visual effects)
• Pacific Title (special effects negative output)
• iO Films (digital intermediate)

Other Companies

• Nina Saxon Film Design  main title design (as Nina Saxon Design)
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  production insurance (as AON.Albert G. Ruben)
• Cast & Crew Payroll Services  payroll
• Cinelease  production equipment provided by
• Clairmont Camera  camera equipment provided by
• Cowans, DeBates, Abrahams & Sheppard  production legal
• Electronic Picture Solutions  cutting rooms
• Hanna Brothers Catering  catering
• Hollywood Rentals Productions Services  production equipment provided by (as Hollywood Rentals)
• IndieClear  script clearance (as Indie-Clear)
• LA Power and Light  production equipment provided by
• Limelight Catering  catering: Kuwait and military base units
• Magic Film and Video Works  negative cutting (as Magic Film & Video Works)
• NovaStar Digital  sound post-production
• Saul Zaentz Film Center  additional adr facility (as The Saul Zaentz Film Center)
• Soundfirm  additional adr facility (as Soundfirm Sydney)
• Sourcemaker  production equipment provided by
• Sunset Digital  video transfers
• Sweet Sounds  adr editing: Pittsburgh
• iO Films  digital intermediate

Also Known As:

For Life (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some drug content and sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Argentina:16 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA | Germany:16 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions

Trivia:

Val Kilmer's cameo was filmed while on break from the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) shoot.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Location errors abound as the story is based in Philadelphia. Most telling are: a Steelers logo on a beer billboard in one scene (would be an Eagles logo if in Philly); the Allegheny County '412' area code on a sign on a building for lease, late in the film; The PPG famous spiked tower in the background; famous Pittsburgh yellow bridges throughout; and key scenes at 'Wholey's' which is a real meat and fish landmark store in Pittsburgh's Strip District.

Quotes:

Tommy: When I saw my father shot dead outside ours house, I remember thinking he probably deserved it.

Movie Connections:

References Coyote Ugly (2000)

Dull and unoriginal film salvaged only by Ribisi's performance

This is one of those films that gives the impression it is written by someone who is more a fan of the genre than a practitioner. It contains all the usual elements found in these 'tough' and 'gritty' crime dramas – the questionable loyalty between hoods who have grown up together on the mean streets of the city's slums, the psychotic gangster, the tough but vulnerable single mum, the doting mother, the sleazy clubs, the random acts of violence, the pop music soundtrack – but never once comes close to showing any signs of originality.

James Marsden – as anonymous a leading man as you are ever likely to find – plays the son of a mobster drummed out of the marines for stealing a jeep and going after Saddam on his own when the US call off the Gulf War on the dictator's doorstep back in '91. He is offered a deal by shady cop Brian Dennehy (looking surprisingly trim but worryingly frail) to help put away a mobster from his old neighbourhood in return for his freedom from military prison. Returning to his old haunts, he falls in with his slightly feeble-minded brother and his cousin – ably played by Giovanni Ribisi – who is about to embark on a gang war with the mobster in question, which leads to the usual conflict of loyalties.

After watching this I wondered not only why I bothered watching it through to its inevitable conclusion, but also why anybody bothered putting up the money for it. The script is pedestrian at best, and the storyline never wavers from a path that is as predictable as it is dull. Only the quality of the acting, and especially a blistering performance from Ribisi, make this worth watching at all. Well – that and the unintentionally hilarious death scene of one-legged gangster, Julian.