Bella Mafia (1997)

After the decimation of the male members of the family, five Mafia widows concoct a plan for vengeance that will avenge their spouses and once again make them a formidable power in the Mafia. Based on the novel by Lynda La Plante (WIDOWS) and directed by David Greene (RICH MAN POOR MAN). This contrived Mafia potboiler reaches such heights of operatic absurdity and ludicrousness that it becomes enjoyable in the way only certain bad movies can be. It teeters dangerously close toward "camp". Vanessa Redgrave as a gun toting Mafia widow open firing in a courtroom? Peter Bogdanovich as a Mafia kingpin? The acting ranges from good (Nastassja Kinski whose character anchors the film) to terrible. James Marsden's Luca is near astonishing in the annals of bad acting and believe you me, I've seen a lot of bad acting. I can say without hesitation that it is the single worst performance I have ever seen. Almost his entire performance is done with his mouth open. Still, it is never boring. With Jennifer Tilly, Illeana Douglas, Franco Nero, Dennis Farina, Tony Lo Bianco, Dimitra Arliss and Gina Philips.