Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2012

When mobster Jackie DiNorscio, already serving 30 years, was named a co-defendant in a massive ’80s RICO trial, he decided, to the horror of the prosecution and defense alike, to act as his own lawyer, thus providing his poorly suppressed inner standup comic with a captive audience and the opportunity to point out the absurdities of the US justice system. Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Serpico, Network, The Verdict) brings his formidable courtroom experience to the enterprise, but what makes this one stand out is his casting of Vin Diesel in the lead. With hair! And hey! Vinny D does pretty good. Who knew?