Milano calibro 9 (1972)
A Poliziottesco directed by Fernando Di Leo, starring Gastone Moschin as a Statham look-a-like small time crook released from prison but immediately harassed by his old mob associates until he goes back to work for them.
Caliber 9, as it's known by it's English title is quite a slow moving example of what is a rather lively crime genre. It's really well acted by Moschin as the jaded con as well as Philippe Leroy as his mate. Although Mario Adorf pretty much shouts his way through the film and does grate quite a bit. Where it stumbles a bit are some lengthy dialogue scenes which go pretty much nowhere other than showcasing Frank Wolff as the aggressive police commissioner and Luigi Pistilli as his number two. Wolff grates more than Adorf and the usually excellent Pistilli looks bored by it all.
On the whole Milano Caliber 9 is an enjoyable character driven crime movie thanks to excellent performances by Moschin and Leroy.
|