Lansky

Lansky
by Eytan Rockaway (2021)

The now elderly boss, Meyer Lansky, tells the true story of his life to writer David Stone. Meanwhile, the feds are investigating…

“He said he read some stories about me in the papers. My reputation tends to precede me.

When people don’t know you, they put labels on you: the master manipulator, the most successful casino manager in American history, mafia affiliate.

The feds circulated the rumor that I have $300 million stashed somewhere.
If you happen to find out where it is, please let me know. If you don’t keep it to yourself, I’ll give you a slice of the pie.”
(Meyer Lansky)

The Story.
Meyer Lansky was one of the most powerful gangsters of the 20th century.

His criminal activities were mainly concentrated in the United States, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

At a young age, he and his mother joined his father, who had recently emigrated to America, and he grew up exposed to the harsh street life of Manhattan.

It was in this context that his friendship with “Bugsy” Siegel and “Lucky” Luciano was born. In particular, he organized some murders of powerful rival bosses to aid Luciano’s rise.

During World War II, Lansky was actively involved in breaking up Nazi gatherings and capturing German infiltrators.
In exchange, the government turned a blind eye to his illegal activities.

He played a fundamental role in the grand rise of gambling, holding shares in casinos in Las Vegas, Cuba, the Bahamas, and London—truly an empire.

He helped Batista regain power in Cuba by bribing his rival and was instrumental in creating the national crime syndicate in the United States, a key connection point between those in power and criminals for mutual benefit.

To escape prosecution for tax evasion, he first fled Cuba when Castro came to power after the revolution, and later sought asylum in Israel due to his Jewish origins.

However, he was eventually brought back to the United States, where he was first convicted and then acquitted in 1974, possibly due to his serious health condition.

He died in 1983 in Florida of lung cancer.

Considerations.
Eytan Rockaway directs a film that flows smoothly thanks to skillful editing that gives pace and vigor to the story.

Dialogue sequences between the protagonists in the present are effectively alternated with action scenes from the past, illustrating the narrated events.

Harvey Keitel is, as always, perfect: through his nuanced performance of gazes and gestures, he expertly portrays a character who always acted as a shadowy puppet master in service to the underworld, deceiving everyone.

His presence alone is reason enough to watch the film.

Worthington also impresses in his role as the young writer in crisis, who seems to find the opportunity of a lifetime when he receives an unexpected call from the famous boss.

The film is pleasant and well-orchestrated, retracing the story of a “small” and reserved man, even in his feelings towards his family, but one who was incredibly powerful and dangerous.

Definitely worth a watch.

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