This film is an absolute mob film classic, and it may be the most under-appreciated film in the past 30 years. First off, it was done by a company (Film Dallas) that went bankrupt, so it may never end up on DVD (So it will not have a large audience). More to the point, what the film is about is honor, and doing the right thing, which Spike does throughout the film (Albeit reluctantly). Spike has a code of ethics (The OLD Itallian way of doing things), which is quite different than the other characters in the film (Especially his parents (not just his lesbian mother). I can tell you that if I went to jail, and my wife turned lesbian, she would not be back in my house, like nothing happened) Spoilers coming. First, Spike saves the life of a Puerto Rican fighter named Bandana (Rick Aviles) from a gang of racists. Then he refuses to throw a fight, and gets his knuckles smashed with a meat hammer for his efforts, then after getting India (Talisa Soto) pregnant, he marries her (They have another kid as well (In addition to the kid he has with Angel), finally he refuses any help from Baldo Cacetti the local Don (Ernest Borgnine), and becomes a police officer (Instead of a low level thug, or some kind of follower). Perhaps what is most interesting is the end of the movie, where it is Baldo (Not Angel and her elite University Graduate husband (Who is still a criminal, although a more sophisticated version)), who brings his grandson over to visit Spike, India, and his half brother. He is the one who knows and more importantly understands that Spike followed the old ways of doing things, and did not compromise his values, and thus, deserves the respect for not taking the easy way out.
Finally for those who think the stereotypes people, it really does not. What it shows, are very weak people (The Congresswoman, Bandana's mother, Angel, Spike's parents etc) who will do whatever they think is necessary to survive (Even if it is wrong)). The only ones to rise above it all are Spike and India. A superior film.
Finally for those who think the stereotypes people, it really does not. What it shows, are very weak people (The Congresswoman, Bandana's mother, Angel, Spike's parents etc) who will do whatever they think is necessary to survive (Even if it is wrong)). The only ones to rise above it all are Spike and India. A superior film.