An opening enscripted frame states "...based on a true story", and therefore a viewer of this well-crafted film must accept the probability that incidents taken from Bill Davidson's published biographical title "Collura: Actor With A Gun" somewhat faithfully relate to actual events, but if there remains a persistent notion that dramatization has overwhelmed available facts, it will be preferable that the narrative be accepted upon its face and as a work of conception, as well. For indeed, there is a good deal within this production that viewers will find commendable, its storyline effectively depicting an episode in the life and career of a young New York City policeman, Collura (Grant Show), who had been recruited to enlist with the Department for the specific purpose of attempting to infiltrate the Carlo Gambino Mafia family, and who becomes so successful with his mingling that he develops a romantic relationship with Gambino's goddaughter Maria (Maria Pitillo). This affair of the heart unsurprisingly leads to increasing risk for Collura, who will face ineluctable destruction if his true identity becomes known to the Gambino set, and when it eventually is his duty to testify before a grand jury against Gambino, Steve's multi-faceted loyalties, sense of honour, and passion for Maria will all require his keen self-examination and less than simple choices for an increasingly equivocal future. A conversation held upon a television film set between former Detective Collura (who tellingly performs here in a featured role) and Show planted a seed for this picture that is inherently of the Gangster Melodrama genre. Production standards are high, able direction comes from Sam Pillsbury, and the cast is consistently spot on, with Show earning the acting laurels here as an undercover operative not terribly fearful of endangerment. In spite of an excess of cutting during the last half that lessens the film's overall impact, it remains a nicely crafted piece that has been undervalued and virtually ignored. A DVD release benefits from fine visual and audio reproduction while providing no supplemental features.
2 Reviews
WHERE DOES THE ACT END
deanofrpps4 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
NYPD officer, Steven A Collura (Grant Show), is sent on a mission: infiltrate the Mob family led by Carlo Gambino (Robert Loggia). The Made-for-TV movie probes the inner workings f an undercover operation: On one hand, the operative projects a fantasy on the other hand his act creates a reality of its own.
To insert Officer Collura into the mob, he's teamed up with a former Mafia couple working off a case. Taking up residence with them as his "son", Collura lays down the rules: he's the boss he does what he wants; they're the help and that's it. The ex-Mafia couple have no choice but to grin and bear Collura's laws. As time progresses, they begin acting like a family so much so Collura's parents start berating Collura for his personal shortcomings, late hours, bad company and drinking.
Collura is so successful in inserting himself into the web of the mob that he strikes up a relationship with Carlo Gambino's beloved goddaughter Maria Caprefoli (Maria Pitillo), whom Carlo cautions Collura is a gentle but fragile flower.
Taken home to meet 'Mom' and 'Dad,' in their apartment in an old frame house on Pitkin Avenue in the mob strong hold of South Ozone Park, Maria asks the most telling question in the family oriented Italian - American world. Surprisingly, this obvious question was overlooked by all the mobsters right up to Carlo. "Oh, it's nice to meet your Mob and Dad, where does the rest of your family, your uncles and aunts and cousins live?" Mom, Dad and Junior all look at each other in fright and on a flimsy excuse leave the room.
Well an engagement is announced and Maria offers Collura a short preview of bliss, but forbids physical contact.
Meanwhile, Collura is advanced in the mob to the point he is trusted with a small role in the execution of Mob rogue and existentialist philosopher Joey Gallo. Handed a weapon, but advised that he'll only be part of the back - up, Collura panics and runs back to the police.
The story like The Impossible Spy and Scarlet Coat catch the very nature of an undercover operative. He projects a fantasy as reality. How far can the spy be drawn into the charade that he has created.
To insert Officer Collura into the mob, he's teamed up with a former Mafia couple working off a case. Taking up residence with them as his "son", Collura lays down the rules: he's the boss he does what he wants; they're the help and that's it. The ex-Mafia couple have no choice but to grin and bear Collura's laws. As time progresses, they begin acting like a family so much so Collura's parents start berating Collura for his personal shortcomings, late hours, bad company and drinking.
Collura is so successful in inserting himself into the web of the mob that he strikes up a relationship with Carlo Gambino's beloved goddaughter Maria Caprefoli (Maria Pitillo), whom Carlo cautions Collura is a gentle but fragile flower.
Taken home to meet 'Mom' and 'Dad,' in their apartment in an old frame house on Pitkin Avenue in the mob strong hold of South Ozone Park, Maria asks the most telling question in the family oriented Italian - American world. Surprisingly, this obvious question was overlooked by all the mobsters right up to Carlo. "Oh, it's nice to meet your Mob and Dad, where does the rest of your family, your uncles and aunts and cousins live?" Mom, Dad and Junior all look at each other in fright and on a flimsy excuse leave the room.
Well an engagement is announced and Maria offers Collura a short preview of bliss, but forbids physical contact.
Meanwhile, Collura is advanced in the mob to the point he is trusted with a small role in the execution of Mob rogue and existentialist philosopher Joey Gallo. Handed a weapon, but advised that he'll only be part of the back - up, Collura panics and runs back to the police.
The story like The Impossible Spy and Scarlet Coat catch the very nature of an undercover operative. He projects a fantasy as reality. How far can the spy be drawn into the charade that he has created.
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