User reviews

Stefano Sollima Suburra is astounding and remarkable with a plot revolving around many lives and organized crime in Rome.

Suburra was the name of a suburb of Ancient Rome. Many mafia families, politicians and gangsters covet for an ambitious project to be passed by the law which will fill their pocket with money and lives of their next generation will be in complete leisure. In order to achieve this goad everyone has to surpass the basic rule of humankind and go on a rampage of deceit and treachery.

The screenplay and narration is top notch, it gives a motivation and development for each character. As the repercussion is going to affect many lives, the deeds of characters are well defined.

Every actor has done a tremendous job as we see right emotions and expressions at the right place. The background score adds a great feel to the scenes and it flows with the emotions of the audience. The production value and technical area of the film is of high quality.

Overall, it is a tale love, treachery, corruption and betrayal. Stefano Sollima has done a noteworthy direction putting several lives together and entangling them into each other.

"Behind every fortune there is crime"-Balzac A must watch movie.

This is the first time I happen to be writing the first review for a film on IMDb and it is so fitting I am doing it for a film on which I have so many thoughts to throw out there.

Finally Italian cinema has something to boast really proudly after the two slightly underwhelming years that followed the masterpiece that is "The Great Beauty", of which we will speak more later. Talking solely about cinema "Suburra" is such a great addition to the Italian canon, it takes into account everything that came before it and quotes it really respectfully, especially some of Fellini's work and even more Sorrentino's.

This film's review can be summed up in one phrase in my opinion: it takes you by the throat from frame one and never lets go until the end, gripping it slightly too hard sometimes. Now let me explain this statement with all the positives and negatives it takes into account.

Firstly, there is no denying how intense this film is. It is some of the darkest stuff I've seen in quite a while. People might contradict this, but to those I would respond that they don't actually understand what dark stuff is. We are not talking about murder, drugs or graphic violence, even though here there are aplenty. Truly dark stuff is what makes you feel dirty or dead inside, it is what makes you twitch, it is what makes you doubt your beliefs. Now that can often go hand in hand with violence etc., and it does here, but lets not forget why it works in the first place, which is because it goes deep into exploring human nature and behavior and what goes behind it. In the same way, even if not to the same extent, something like "Requiem for a Dream" uses the drug background to rip your soul apart, "Suburra" uses its story to explore themes that will not leave a smile on your face, even more so if you're Italian.

To this I might add that I felt the movie to be slightly too heavy hitting at times. It really is pessimistic, or at least that is what I caught from it. It is engaging to be offered such an interesting and passionate point of view though such a well crafted film, but honestly sometimes it was a little too much. There isn't one single element that tries to counter what is going on and because of this the result is absolute, pitch blackness. It isn't necessarily a negative element of the film, but it is one that I noted and got uncomfortable with.

It is wonderful to see a true story told this fantastically right. By that I mean that it doesn't put the emphasis on TRUE. It uses it as a background and never shoves down your throat emotional beats that feel manipulative, wrong or educational. Furthermore it tells its story perfectly, never loosing you even if you have no idea beforehand what the film is about.

Stylistically the film does have many clear inspirations and for the most part they are welcome, never being over-emphasized. I think it is impossible to make an Italian film after "The Great Beauty", especially if set in Rome, and not in anyway quote it. Sollima takes a lot, really a lot, from it but handles it really well and manages to give a truly personal stamp on the movie. Especially the opening which is a directorial triumph. With amazing photography, editing and even better use of music the director, at least for the first half of the film, manages to convey so much with actual cinema, through visual medium. He adds really a lot of subtext and makes the first hour a riveting and almost scary experience, because of what is being implied.

Talking about the second half of the film, it is where it kind of gets to caught up into its plot and forgets what it was doing so well earlier on which is the thematic aspect of what is going on. It becomes really one note and mechanic, leaving you slightly hungry for what you had been given earlier on, even though it partially picks back up in the conclusion. Don't get me wrong, it hits that one note really well, performances, characters, technical and story are all fine, but it just misses what it is about.

Still I beg you to check this film out and support good Italian cinema, you will not be disappointed to do so and will come out with quite some thoughts to stir in your head.

I never watched a lot of Italian movies but this one I will certainly watch again in the future. If you like crime stories then Subbura is for you. It has everything you can ask for. Corrupt politicians, different mafia families, bloody violent scenes, drugs and sex, religious scumbags, scandals and so on. The actors are all excellent and play their roles with much conviction. If you didn't knew they were actors you would really believe they are all mob related. The darkness drips of this movie. One of the better Italian film noir I've seen in a long time. If Stefano Sollima is planning on making more of those movies I'm going to be a fan. It's a long movie but with all the twists, violent scenes and great discussions you will never get bored.

Boy, was that a good film. Italian. Neo-noir. Dark. Masterfully shot. Omnipresent debauchery and depravity of all sorts have rarely looked this good on screen. What's not to love?! I have a soft spot for Italian cinema of the good kind, and that leaves me constantly hungry for more, considering the fact that except for Maestro Tornatore's magnificent opus the last few decades have been... Well, disappointing to say the least. Enter Sorrentino (I firmly believe "La grande bellezza" is one of the top 5 Italian films ever made, with "Youth" not so far behind), and now Sollima too. The only reason to give "Suburra" 9 stars instead of 10 is the microscopically imperfect acting in a few instances, but other than that the film is practically perfect. No need for a wordy review, just go see it. It grips you by the innards and doesn't let go. If you happen to be fluent in Italian and especially the Roman dialect, that adds at least 30% more enjoyment. A big, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who worked on this fantastic film!

I had this on my list on Netflix because we are headed to Rome in the spring. Thought we would see some on the Roman sights but this is NOT "3 Coins in a Fountain". It is an excellent movie...very good acting, interesting but not likable characters, fascinating story line. I would not normally recommend a movie where almost all the characters are anti- heroes. The pacing and interesting camera shots move the movie along and we really could not stop watching. My wife and I both really liked this film. It involves much of what we think of as the disreputable portions of many great cities; politicians, gangs and their rivals, organized crime and even the church. I was surprised that no major US critics reviewed the movie which is a shame. It is very good, gritty film making.

In 2011 , Ostia , the port of the Ancient Rome is the main issue of an important project of construction to become it into a new Las Vegas and whose great promoter is a mobster called Samurai (Claudio Amendola) . While a politician (Pierfrancesco Favino) provides the change legislation where necessary . But the politician gets caught in a dangerous and compromising situation when he is with a prostitute (Greta Scarano) and things go awry .Then ambition , blackmail, vendetta , kidnapping and decay reach everything and everybody .Rome will fall while corruption is infecting the city .

Thrilling film with a lot of violence and murders in which a real project that participate various dark social stratum with the purport to make the Ostia harbour in Las Vegas-alike goes wrong. A heavy-going story has a moving and politically incorrect writing and especially dealing with corruption interwoven between Parlamentary members and Mafia . The picture contains thrills , violence , nudism , strong sexual scenes , disturbing subjects , suspenseful , being pretty entertaining , though sometimes resulting to be hard to follow . While this picture is certainly not the most pleasant thing to watch , it does provide a daring insight into the corrupt world of politicians on the take and a mafia-controlled system which is brooding and frank . This exciting and thought-provoking film displays a good cast who gives nice performances , such as Pierfrancesco Favano , Claudio Amendola , Greta Scarano, Borghi , Germano , and Jean Hughes Anglade as a Cardinal.

It packs an enjoyable musical score by Pasquale Catalano in New Age style and wonderful , sensitive songs . As well as luxurious and colorful cinematography by Paolo Carnera .This intense and intriguing film was well directed by Stefano Sollima who delivers an unflinching filmmaking resulting in one which fans of the Mafia/thriller genre will no want to miss . Sollima is a director and writer especially known for Sicario 2018 , Gomorra the series , Crimini , La esquadra , Rome Criminal, Zerzerzeo and A.C.A.B. Essential and indispensable watching , this highly recommended film is the same as the Italian Mafia film or Poliziesco of the 70s.

I went into this movie with a friend having only read the summary and we were not disappointed. The movie, although over two hours long, did not feel as such and was intense and gripping from start to finish.

The movie is set in Rome over 7 days and shows how the paths of people from various walks of life come together in an all too catastrophic and tragic way. This includes corrupt politicians, a hooker, and warring mafia gangs. The movie plays out like a snowball effect,starting with one event descending into the tragedy to become.

The movie does not shy from graphic sex scenes and excessive violence, but it is not done in poor taste. In fact, it actually makes the film so much more potent. The acting is of course superb, and the actors really embody their roles. Production is excellent from all aspects.

Definitely worth a watch, especially in a theatre.

In a frame that follows the events of 2011, the fall of the government and the resignation of the pope, the film plunges us into the panorama of the capital, Rome, in an intertwining of political, church and the underworld by dynamic rather bloody and equally plausible.

The director already well-proved by some successful productions like the unmissable "Romanzo Criminale, The Series", the amazing "Gomorra, The Series" and "ACAB", focuses once again on target with a well-made and quite compelling thriller. A crime story, a veiled complaint, that shows how the underworld branches off the power by means of politics and corruption.

7+/10

This is an outstanding achievement. While many European productions basically look like made-for-tv films, this is cinematic in the best way. Still, you have to be patient to be rewarded. Much like Soderbergh's "Traffic", the movie features several protagonists and sub-plots that, in the end, all come together. The violence is all there, but not in a show-off action movie style, it is really closely connected to plot and characters. I have not seen a contemporary movie that shows you so much about the power of organized crime. Throughout the movie, police is nonexistent. The crime is not just restricted to gangsters, politicians are part of the system, even the Vatican (just some hints of it). The actors are great, for non-Italians some are real discoveries. Production values first rate, music, locations all combine to create something really special. I watched the movie in its dubbed German version because my Italian is just shaky, but it was still great!

It looks pretty realistic how the story goes in this mafia story. It's disgusting and frightening how the story goes, but it feels also realistic in a bad way. The dirt, the intrigues, the milieu, the politics. The death of people in this movie looks realistic. If 'The Godfather' would be remade these days, I guess it would look like this movie. It might look sober in some scenes. But I guess even this is realistic. A recommendation for people who like mafia movie that feel realistic.

During these few decades Italian film industry has been producing films for the local market and it shows. Of course ask any italian and they'll tell you that in italy the state, catholic church and mafia are the same thing.

I felt like an outsider during the two hours. All the characters were dislikeable caricatyres of anti-heroes.

What comes to a brief and funny sex scene, the director appears to underline that this is not a romantic affair and in that sense the raw material gets justification.

One could also argue that bad taste is taste like any other taste, however this film was obviously made for young men. Some other director could have made a far better film with the same material, focusing on the characters.

It's just mediocre at the best.

Set in 2011 in the port of Ostia (Rome) we meet a plethora on ne'er do wells from politicians, gang types, and just low downs caught up in a bigger plan. That plan is to turn the port into a modern day Las Vegas (I mean really!!). This entails a gangster called Samurai in buying up all the real estate in readiness to cash in.

The problem is the politicos have a taste for young flesh, hard drugs, money and power which equals corruption. Throw into the mix the Vatican connection a whole 'traveller' network of crime types and you have all the ingredients for a roller coaster of a film.

I thought this was superb, the acting and style were all seductive. The violence visceral and brutal – yet seemingly expected. It is one of those films where the time just flies by and almost makes you hold your breath. It has made such an impact that, according to IMDb, Netflix are making a series to follow this up, I am glad a that I subscribe as if it is half as good as the film it will be well worth the fee.

"Suburra" is a Drama - Thriller movie in which we watch a gangster trying to change Rome into Las Vegas while he agrees with the other local mob bosses. Soon enough he will understand that the peace between them is more fragile than he thought.

I have to admit that I did not have high expectations from this movie but I was happily surprised by it. It was good, it had an interesting plot and it contained plenty of action and suspense, something that made it even more interesting. The direction which was made by Stefano Sollima was good and he succeeded on making the movie captivating since it combined very well action with mystery. The interpretations of Pierfrancesco Favino who played as Filippo Malgradi, Elio Germano who played as Sebastiano and Claudio Amendola who played as Samurai were very good. To sum up, I have to say that "Suburra" is a nice movie and I recommend it to everyone.

Brilliant I loved it as a massive fan of the whole crime/gangster genre this as far as I am concerned is up there with the best .now going to watch the TV series

The running time ran very quickly away. A sign that this thriller was never boring. Good actors with a well packed intriguing story between politics and the Vatican. Very interesting mix with all needed ingredients to get a real bloody mafia movie under the local clans. The soundtrack was top. You can watch it even you have already seen the mini Netflix seasons of Suburra. I can highly recommend both of them. 7/10.

A couple of years a go it was Scandinavian TV that was all the rage and now , thanks to the brilliant Gomorrah it seems to be Italian language mafia based TV that is the in thing. Suburra is in the same mould as Gomorrah although the protagonists are a little higher up the food chain . This is the story a politician who gets caught up with the local mafia when he asks someone to help him sort a problem that involves a dead girl in his hotel room. Firstly let me say this film looks stunning. The cinematography is breathtaking at times and it's complimented by a fantastic soundtrack from M83. There are some good performances especially from Pierfrancesco Favino (Malgradi ) and Alessandro Borghi (number 8) who I think we might be seeing more of in the future. Suburra is a film that will stay in the memory for a very long time. Highly Recommended.

Wow! This was a superb sample of high-quality crime movie making. ''Suburra'' is an excellent Italian production with a storyline which involves politicians, the clash between the mafia and gypsies clans and the Vatican as well as young thugs, hookers and junkies. The centre of the plot is the building of a series of casino hotels in Ostia a suburb in Rome. The bill has to be approved by the Italian parliament which is not oblivious to external influences such as the mafia or rich businessmen. The notion of corruption is omnipresent throughout the movie, leading to crucial questions regarding the Italian political life. The first forty-five minutes of the movie is a bit confusing as the viewers introduced to a multitude of characters with no obvious connection between them. The story covers a time span of one week, in the form of a countdown to the day of the ''Apocalypse'' which is also the finale of the film. The plot is even-paced reaching a bloody, nevertheless redeeming, finale with a high body count. The performances from all the actors in a movie that has no central character are top-notch while the direction by Stefano Sollima offers many moments of true artistic beauty in the beautiful Roman setting. It should be also noted that ''Suburra'' has a captivating soundtrack which suits the atmosphere of the film and that a tv series under the same title began in 2017. European crime fiction seems to be alive and kicking! Highly Recommended.

Get over the subtitles and it's a good movie! Nothing we haven't seen before but played out in a believable gritty way. No spoilers from me. Enjoy the slow burn start as characters are introduced and keep a count of who is left at the end.

The entire film is nothing but artistic scenes of very, very gratuitous sex, violence, and drug use. It more focused on the disgusting world of dirty politicians than it did with any sort of mafioso element. Nearly every scene was highlighted by modern electrica by M83, the film literally had 12 songs by them. So of a 130 minute run time approximately 100 minutes of it had loud techno playing. Felt like I was watching a music video and not a movie. I wouldn't recommend this. What little dialog existed was pretty decent, but there was just not enough substance in the film to convey much of anything. The first 25 minutes or so had around 30 words spoken, the rest was nothing but hardcore sex bordering on pornography. I am very baffled at the high reviews this is getting. I understand 'artsy types' enjoying this, but to anyone with opinions based in reality will find this disgusting. 1/10 stars.

A blockbuster of a film up there with the greats in gangster and organised crime thrillers like the Godfather series. Just watched it for the second time and it's a riveting story brilliantly scripted, acted and directed.

A must see and you won't look away for a second.