MAC
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
Date Released: 3/93 Running Length: 1:58 Rated: R (Language, violence, sexual situations)
Starring: John Tuturro, Michael Badalucco, Carl Capotorto, Katherine Borowitz, Ellen Barkin Director: John Tuturro Producers: Nancy Tenenbaum and Brenda Goodman Screenplay: John Tuturro and Brandon Cole Music: Richard Termini and Vin Tese Released by Samuel Goldwyn Co.
In 1954 Queens, New York, three brothers - Mac (John Tuturro), Vico (Michael Badalucco), and Bruno (Carl Capotorto) - after having a few bad experiences working for others, decide to band together and create their own construction business. The building of four houses is a painstaking process that pushes the relationships of the close brothers to the breaking point.
Credit should go to John Tuturro for exploring a subject - carpentry and house building - that is not often seen in films. Not only does MAC tackle this issue, but manages to make it vital and interesting. The best parts of the film are those that show the various stages of starting a new business and building the houses. If only the interpersonal relationships between the brothers had been handled as deftly and with as much feeling.
There is no doubt whatsoever that MAC was a labor of love for Tuturro. The film took twelve years to reach its final form, and Tuturro was involved every step of the way. MAC is dedicated to and loosely based on the life of Turturro's father, a first generation Italian American carpenter. The writer/director/actor has put his heart and energy into this movie and, while the product is flawed, there is still enough here to make viewing of this film worthwhile.
MAC is a visual feast. Rich images abound and great care is paid to detail. The opening credits are especially impressive - as well as indicative of the quality of the rest of the film - as booted feet stalk through mud and concrete is smoothed over. Throughout the entire film, this flair is never lost.
At times, Tuturro handles the relationships between the three brothers well, but not always. Too often, he goes for melodrama and directs with a heavy hand. It doesn't take the audience long to understand the tensions coursing under the surface, but Tuturro insists on hammering the point home over and over again. He does it so often that, in addition to being repetitious, the entire subject becomes tedious and uncomfortable.
Perhaps I would have felt differently had I gotten the impression of real affection between the brothers. However, although it's apparent that the Vitellis are a close-knit family, there are few - if any - demonstrations of brotherly affection. My problems with the disintegration of the relation- ship are partially grounded in an inability to completely accept what Tuturro takes for granted.
Tuturro's acting is inspired. He goes over-the-top on a couple of occasions, but he infuses this film with an energy that it's badly in need of. The explosiveness of his performance is in stark contrast with the gray, rainy nature of the setting. This is definitely one of the film's saving graces.
At its heart, MAC is a story about integrity and taking pride in one's work. As the title character proclaims, "You know what I think happiness is? To love your job... If you hate your work, you hate your life." The specific focus of this film may be on an Italian American family of carpenters, but the message is universal. This is not a great film - the character inter- action is often shaky - but the production is energetic in getting its message across.
Rating: 7.6 (B, **1/2)
- James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
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