THE FAMILY RICO
US, 1972, 73 minutes, Colour.
Ben Gazzara, Sal Mineo, Jo Van Fleet, James Farentino, Dane Clark, Leif Ericson.
Directed by Paul Wendkos.
The Family Rico is based on a novel by French author Georges Simenon. It was made in the 'fifties by Phil Karlson, with Richard Conti. This television version is directed by Paul Wendkos, veteran of many films and telemovies. It has a particularly strong cast led by Ben Gazzara, many veterans even in small roles including Jo Van Fleet, Dane Clark, Leif Erikson, John Marley and Sal Mineo.
The film focuses on Eddie Rico, small-time but rising in the mafia hierarchy. He is concerned about his brothers, one on the run, one who walked away from an assignment. He has pressure from his mother. He makes decisions according to the code of the mafia - despite his own emotions and loyalty to his family.
An interesting glimpse of the mafia, focusing more on psychological and moral issues. Made at the time of the popularity of The Godfather.
1.The perennial popularity of mafia movies? The 'seventies and The Godfather? The tradition of such movies?
2.Telemovie? Strong in plot and characterisation? The mafia for the home audience? Adaptation of a Simenon novel?
3.Authentic locations, the American cities, homes, big business? Musical score?
4.The title and the focus on the Ricos as a family, relationships, the dominance of the mother, the three brothers and loyalties, the demands made on Eddie? The contrast with the mafia family and its code and loyalties? Eddie having to make choices?
5.Eddie Rico, the businessman, Eddie Rice? His relationship with Gino and trying to keep him hidden? The meetings with him? Pressure because of him? The information about Nico, seeking him out, Norah's father, visiting Norah and Nico, talking with them, his promises? The final phone call and having to sacrifice Nico? The visits to his mother, her criticisms of his name, her strong pressure on him, family loyalty, saving her sons? The pressure from Phil and Sid? The possibilities of his rising in the mafia? Physical threats? Supervised by Mike, Mike's son? The pressures? His memories? His decisions - and safety?
6.The mother Rico and her status, experience, pressures on her son? Dominance of Eddie? Concern about Nico? The conversations with him, her pride, tradition?
7.Gino, trying to hide, relying on Eddie? The meetings? The contrast with Nico, the younger son, walking away from the murder? The contract on him? Meeting Norah, her strength of character, their going away, wanting to build a different kind of life? Norah's father and his giving the information? The final phone call to Nico? The decisions and his death?
8.The presentation of the mafia types - briefly, relying on audience knowledge of this type? Phil, Sid? Interviews, phone calls, business interests? Morality? Mike, supervising Eddie, confident in his trustworthiness, the gun, going to sleep? The information from his son?
9.The moral pressure on Eddie? The bases for his decision? His future?
10.The mafia as an American phenomenon? Audience response to them? Business, mobsters? The repercussions for ordinary people?
