FIND ME GUILTY

by Joe Barber on Mar.25, 2006, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

JOEâ€™S REVIEW:”FIND ME GUILTY”

In 1957, director Sidney Lumet began his feature film directing career with an adaptation of the live television drama “Twelve Angry Men”. That story of guilt and innocence weighed against backdrop of predjudice and stereotyping marked Lumet as a director with a kean eye for drawing excellent performances from large casts. His eye for talent lead him to often showcase the work of little or unknown actors opposite major stars. During the 1970’s and ’80’s Lumet had a remarkable streak of Oscar nominated films, including “Serpico”, “Murder on the Orient Express”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, “Network”, “Prince of The City” and “The Verdict”. At age 81, Lumet has returned to the big city courtroom for his lates film, “Find Me Guilty”, starring Vin Deisel. Based on a true story, this very entertaining film is highlighted by sharp acting and a thiughtful examination of the difference between being “innocent” and “not guilty”".

Deisel is low level New Jersey mobster Jackie “Fat Jack” DiNorscio. A lifelong criminal, he had spent nearly half his life in prison when he and nineteen other defendants were indicted on seventy-six racketeering charges under the RICCO act. If one of them was found guilty, all would go to jail. The rest of the group hired lawyers. Jackie, a sixth grade drop out already serving a long sentence on drug charges he felt were exagerated to extract a confession in the larger case, decided to defend himself.

Treated like a moron by the U.S. Attorney, like a loose cannon by the other defendant’s attorneys and, at first, as an outcast among the men he’d spent years knowing, lliving among and stealing with, Jackie stunned everyone with his attempts to use humor and common sense to appeal to the jury. Despite what seemed like an airtight case, dozens of witnesses and wiretaps and a tough judge, Jackie seemed to find a way to reach the jurors. Could Jackie keep from sinking not just himself, but everyone elese?

Lumet and co-screenwriters T.J. Mancini and Robert McCrea never hide the fact that the men, including Jackie, at the heart of the case are guilty. As the procecutor keeps pointing out, the gang is responsible for everything from petty theft to murder. But the script also puts the government and its tactics on trial . Jackie’s unskilled questioning of witneses exposes racial stereotyping by law enforcement officals. Side deals that played on witness’s addictions is revealed. The script focuses on just how much real character Jackie, who seems to be a real character, has.

Diesel delivers an engaging and sensitive performance as Jackie, displaying a depth that hasn’t always been evident in his other roles. Wearing a hairpiece, false teeth and suits that are at least two sizes two big, Diesel brings his anti-hero character to vivid life. Lumet has surrounded him with a fleet of veteran character actors in supporting roles. Ron Silver his excellent as the tough, but fair judge in the case. “The Station Agent” ’s Peter Dinklage shines as a top attorney who admires Jackie’s courage and tries tio keep him out of trouble. Newcomer Linus Roache delivers a strong performance as the obssed U.S. Attorney out to get Jackie and his friends.

Filled with surprising twists and turns, “Find Me Guilty” offers what could be a superb grace note to a very talented director’s career. This is Lumet as his very best and Diesel better than he’s been in a loingtime.

MPAA RATING: R for profanity, violence and some sexual content JOE’S RATING:THREE AND A HALF STARS.