Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Pure Bollocks Issue 22_031
----------------------------------
F I L M * R E V I E W S
----------------------------------
MAC
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
Released: 3/93
Length: 1:58
Rated: 18 (Language, violence, sexual situations)
Starring: John Tuturro, Michael Badalucco, Carl Capotorto, Katherine
Borowitz, Ellen Barkin
Director: John Tuturro
Producers: Nancy Tenenbaum and Brenda Goodman
Screenplay: John Tuturro and Brandon Cole
Music: Richard Termini and Vin Tese Released by Samuel Goldwyn Co.
In 1954 Queens, New York, three brothers - Mac (John Tuturro), Vico
(Michael Badalucco), and Bruno (Carl Capotorto) - after having a few bad
experiences working for others, decide to band together and create their own
construction business. The building of four houses is a painstaking process
that pushes the relationships of the close brothers to the breaking point.
Credit should go to John Tuturro for exploring a subject - carpentry and
house building - that is not often seen in films. Not only does MAC tackle
this issue, but manages to make it vital and interesting. The best parts of
the film are those that show the various stages of starting a new business and
building the houses. If only the interpersonal relationships between the
brothers had been handled as deftly and with as much feeling.
There is no doubt whatsoever that MAC was a labor of love for Tuturro.
The film took twelve years to reach its final form, and Tuturro was involved
every step of the way. MAC is dedicated to and loosely based on the life of
Turturro's father, a first generation Italian American carpenter. The
writer/director/actor has put his heart and energy into this movie and, while
the product is flawed, there is still enough here to make viewing of this film
worthwhile.
MAC is a visual feast. Rich images abound and great care is paid to
detail. The opening credits are especially impressive - as well as indicative
of the quality of the rest of the film - as booted feet stalk through mud and
concrete is smoothed over. Throughout the entire film, this flair is never
lost.
At times, Tuturro handles the relationships between the three brothers
well, but not always. Too often, he goes for melodrama and directs with a
heavy hand. It doesn't take the audience long to understand the tensions
coursing under the surface, but Tuturro insists on hammering the point home
over and over again. He does it so often that, in addition to being
repetitious, the entire subject becomes tedious and uncomfortable.
Perhaps I would have felt differently had I gotten the impression of real
affection between the brothers. However, although it's apparent that the
Vitellis are a close-knit family, there are few - if any - demonstrations of
brotherly affection. My problems with the disintegration of the relation- ship
are partially grounded in an inability to completely accept what Tuturro takes
for granted.
Tuturro's acting is inspired. He goes over-the-top on a couple of
occasions, but he infuses this film with an energy that it's badly in need of.
The explosiveness of his performance is in stark contrast with the gray, rainy
nature of the setting. This is definitely one of the film's saving graces.
At its heart, MAC is a story about integrity and taking pride in one's
work. As the title character proclaims, "You know what I think happiness is?
To love your job... If you hate your work, you hate your life." The specific
focus of this film may be on an Italian American family of carpenters, but the
message is universal. This is not a great film - the character inter- action
is often shaky - but the production is energetic in getting its message across.
Rating: 7.6 (B, **1/2)
James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
