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Mafia Mamma Review: Toni Collette Is Perfect As An Unexpected Mob Boss
There are some movies that, just from the premise alone, sound like they'll be a blast. Catherine Hardwicke's new film Mafia Mamma is one such title, and it certainly leans into the silliness of its central conceit. In some ways, it's like wish fulfillment for anyone who has felt severely underappreciated in life, provided they don't mind some illegal activities. Even when it gets too slight for its own good, Mafia Mamma keeps things moving along at a brisk, entertaining pace that pushes its flaws to the wayside. Led by a delightful Toni Collette, this is one wild ride.
When the movie kicks off, things aren't going so well for suburban mother Kristin (Collette). Her son Domenick (Tommy Rodger) is headed off to college, her deadbeat husband Paul (Tim Daish) is cheating on her, and few people are willing to listen to her at work. When the alluring Bianca (Monica Bellucci) calls to inform Kristin that her grandfather Giuseppe Balbano (Alessandro Bressanello) has died, it doesn't take much convincing to get her on a plane to Italy for what she hopes will be a vacation. However, as Kristin swiftly learns, there's more to the story: Her grandfather was the head of a notorious crime family, and his last wish was that she would take over in his stead.
Mafia Mamma wisely keeps its cards close to its chest when it comes to letting Kristin (and by extension, the audience) in on the truth behind the Balbano family. Save for a striking opening that sees Bianca walking among dead bodies (the result of a meeting gone wrong), Hardwicke and screenwriters J. Michael Feldman and Debbie Jhoon (working off an original story by Amanda Sthers) don't give many clues about what's waiting for Kristin in Italy. This only makes the inevitable turn, which comes when Giuseppe's funeral is disrupted, all the more gripping. Viewers are left just as baffled as Kristin, and Collette expertly plays her character's confusion, denial, and deep discomfort well.
Despite the bloody politics at play — for the Balbanos are embroiled in a war with another crime family — Mafia Mamma is funny, never losing sight of the silliness of its premise. Special credit should be given to Francesco Mastroianni and Alfonso Perugini as Aldo and Dante, Kristin's bodyguards who frequently steal scenes with their humorous antics. Mafia Mamma leans into the comedy at play here, though it seems less interested in the specifics of Kristin's situation. While her romance with the charming Lorenzo (Giulio Corso), a figure outside the crime world, gets plenty of attention, the specifics of Kristin's new position as Donna Balbano are glossed over with an airy montage. Mafia Mamma shows Kristin settling into the job, but doesn't really examine how her character develops as a result. The middle of the film flies by once Kristin accepts the job, and then it is soon hurtling towards its dramatic ending.
While the plot then feels rather slight as a result, Mafia Mamma knows how to have fun, and that makes it an enjoyable watch. Collette is clearly having a ball here, embracing Kristin's inexperience in the world of crime and her potent desires with open arms. Kristin is a compelling character, and even if Feldman and Jhoon's script isn't as interested in questioning her evolution, Collette certainly sells it. As Bianca, Bellucci exudes mystery and a surprising warmth, and her dynamic with Collette is a fascinating one. Bianca very much becomes a mentor to Kristin, and watching Bellucci and Collette play off each other is one of Mafia Mamma's best parts. The Rings of Power's Sophia Nomvete also gets in a fun performance as Kristin's best friend, though her part feels more extraneous than essential.
Mafia Mamma is far from a serious movie, and that is what makes it so entertaining. It doesn't get bogged down in the specifics of its plot, instead choosing to embrace the inherent fun that comes from an overlooked middle-aged woman taking over a sprawling crime family. While it might've been nice for Mafia Mamma to reveal more details about Kristin's ascension as a mob boss, its humor and Collette's performance make it a solid ride anyway.
Mafia Mamma releases in theaters Friday, April 14. It is 101 minutes long and rated R for bloody violence, sexual content, and language.
