The Florentine (1999)

Blue Collar Bonanza

I spent the better part of a decade working in a bar that services a strong working-class neighborhood up here in Winnipeg, Canada. This little flick hits the nail right on the head. The tree-lined streets, the old houses becoming new homes to new people, the brownstone churches and schools, the characters, the stories. All fell into place rather nicely but the stereotypes and cliches were a bit much. I say now and for the record that not all working people are poor, dumb and desperate; and it's the "desperate" element getting played up-from movies like this to Springsteen songs-that bothers me. We seem to have a fascination in North America with the glorification of "working-man plight". I know guys who look like ten miles of bad road and have more money than God, yet dress and talk like a vagrant. And the worse off you are, the more "respect" you seem to demand. Balls. That plumber who was getting married will make a fortune with his trade if he plays his cards right. Madsen's bar could be profitable if he showed a little imagination. A certain romance is present in bar culture, but not in getting hammered all the time. There's usually a way out and diving into a bottle, extorting money or having a kid you neither want or need isn't it. I grow weary of this calibre of self-inflicted misery. I've seen enough of it.

Social commentary aside, yes, this is a fine little piece. Good acting, sharp dialogue and direction keep it going. I've always liked Sizemore's work and it's a shame he's screwed-up his personal life so much. And Hal Holbrook's gritty barfly/philosopher is a kind of "Twain-esque" sage himself, very much like the one Hal made his own years ago with his countless one-man shows of "Mark Twain Tonight!". Also, when I see a movie with good writing I check if it was based on a novel or play; and so this was (play). I used to do some acting at our local summer theatre festival and have a soft spot for the stage.

Take this movie on it's own merits; but that's all you should take away with you when the credits fade.
December 31, 2006

A simple urban story!

Told with that slow paced style so typical of the Forties films, it focuses on the lives and times of the people of a small town; his misfortunes and little triumphs. Virginia Madsen is lovable and worthy cast makes the rest.

August 1, 2005

only fuel for this movie is the cast

cast are great in this movie..Michael Madsen plays a bartender whos sister played by Virginia Madsen is getting married...Madsen's old boyfriend who left her at the alter played by Tom Sizemore(in one of his best performances) comes back for forgiveness..meanwhile theres this cocky scheme man played by Jim Belushi who becomes friends with Luke Perry..Perry takes Madsen's money for the wedding and Belushi ends up taken it and then when Belushi thinks hes gone Sizemore pops out of the back and takes it back....Jeremy Davies is a woman lover..Chris Penn plays a booky guy whos marrige to Mary Stuart Masterantonio is crumbling and Hal Halbrook plays a man at the bar with some old stories for Madsen...great performances all around. sort of dry in some spots though but you wont notice January 1, 2004

the florentine

Great cast,
All the bad boys of film are in this film!

We need more films like this all heavey hitters in one movie and it works! No egos it looks like it was fun to make

highly recommend ! October 10, 2001

GREAT! character driven piece

This movie has moved into my top ten favorites of all time. What a hidden treasure! This movie must have lacked any public relations effort whatsoever, because it is just fantastic. You would be hard pressed to find a better group of character actors performing their craft at a higher level. The characters were true to life and the storyline was brilliant, funny, and at times, very moving. If you have a pulse and enjoy quality, get this movie! I would like to single out one or two actor's and talk about their performances, but that would not be fair to the rest of the cast. Just an awesome movie!! August 24, 2001

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