Find Me Guilty:

"I'm No Gangster, I'm a Gagster""¦

With a catch phrase like that, how can you take this movie seriously? But, as I know you've been told (on numerous occasions)"¦
NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS' COVER.

At first glance, this movie seems like it would have no problem being a "TV Movie of the Week", or some "Made for Cable Only" special feature
(especially with our buddy Vin Diesel playing the lead). But hear to say"¦ NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

Find Me Guilty is a true story based on the trial of New Jersey's Lucchese Crime Family, as told by Giacomo "Jackie Dee" DiNorscio (Vin Diesel: The Chronicles of Riddick, xXx -the original, The Fast And The Furious -the original). This trial holds a record for being the longest trial in U.S. history, lasting 21+ months.

The story opens with Jackie Dee taking some bullets from a family member (true Sopranos style), but he lives. After getting caught in a police sting, Jackie lands a 30 year bid, only to get offered a deal if he assists the D.A. in bringing down the notorious Lucchese family. Living with the code of the streets, Jackie has a strict "no snitching" policy, and denies there offer. The heart of the story lies within the trial and its players. Boosting 20 defendants with 20 different defense attorneys, Jackie decides his best option would be for him to defend himself"¦ as they say, "Those who represent themselves in a court of law, often has a fool for a client" (or something like that). What happens next will keep you glued to your seat, and sometimes laughing out loud, as the director takes you through this "must-see" trial. And the verdict"¦ (well don't look at me, you'll have to see that for yourself). Keep in mind, as Jackie represented himself, he still held the fate of his "affiliate" defendants within his words & actions"¦ as all it takes is one slip.

This was one of the most unassuming films I have viewed to date. I went in with the premise of "why would they make this for the BIG screen, when the can save money and put it on TV""¦ while watching I found out why. First, I must give Vin Diesel his props, he's improved since the days of Knockaround Guys. This cat has gotten his game up, as he was truly made for this role. He even had a scene where I saw his eyes water and a tear trickled down his face"¦ and I truly felt him. Next, I give it up to the cast as a whole (no part was too insignificant). Especially the part of defense attorney Ben Klandis (Peter Dinklage: Elf, The Station Agent), excellent! If

you are unaware, Mr. Dinklage is a "little person", and as I watched, I wondered if the real Ben Klandis was actually a "little person" too. The movie, as a whole, held me in my seat to see what would happen next. And, as it is over 2 hours long, I could've watched more. What's more amazing is the thought of what can be accomplished when the chips don't stack in your favor, your back is against the wall, and there are no options for failure.

FINAL NOTE:

I went in skeptical, but it was really easy for me to get involved in this movie.
All the characters were on-point and I could really feel Jackie Dee's point of view.
The trial itself was an interesting piece of history, right down to the verdict.
Definitely worth peeping at the box office.

Movie Grade: B

*S.O.S.N. (Sweezy's Official Side Note):

Vin Diesel and Sidney Lumet (director) Nice Job!!!

Synopsis:

Find Me Guilty is based on the true story of Giacomo "Jackie Dee" DiNorscio (Vin Diesel), a member of New Jersey's notorious Lucchese crime family. Already in the midst of serving a 30-year sentence, Jackie is offered an opportunity to shorten his time by testifying against many of his closest friends. Disgusted with the legal system bureaucracy, and refusing to betray his "family," Jackie stands trial as defendant and attorney. "I'm no gangster, I'm a gagster," insists Jackie as he overcomes the complicated politics of the courtroom, and comfortably takes over the spotlight. With his outrageous sense of humor, raw determination and unconditional loyalty, Jackie never fails to surprise the judge, the jury, or his skeptical fellow defendants.

Lasting 21 months during 1987-88, the Lucchese trial became the longest in U.S. criminal history. It has continued to stand out over the years as an epic moment in courtroom history: 20 defendants, 20 defense attorneys (one for each defendant), eight jury alternates (due to the anticipated length of the trial and the fear of bribery), and unusually extensive summations (one defense lawyer's closing statement ran for five days). In fact, most of the courtroom testimony in the movie is drawn from actual trial transcripts.

Matching outrageous humor with genuine tragedy, Jackie's desperate personal journey culminates in one of the most shocking verdicts in American judicial history, so shocking that the lawyers involved in the case are still arguing about it 20 years later.