Jackie DiNorscio (Vin Diesel), a low-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family, finds himself on trial alongside 19 others in the longest mafia trial in US history, in the late 1980s. True story... Upset with his lawyer, Jackie decides to represent himself in court, despite having no legal background and not exactly being the sharpest tool in the shed.
"Find Me Guilty" showcases a different side of Vin Diesel. He sheds his usual action hero persona to play a fast-talking, working-class mobster. His performance is surprisingly effective. And he has hair - now that's acting.
While the core is a character driven courtroom drama, the film blends in elements of comedy as Jackie's antics and lack of legal knowledge create humorous situations and frustrations for the judge. This is pretty entertaining especially in light of the script leaning heavily on real-life transcripts from the trial.
"Find Me Guilty" is a curious case, and a fun watch. There's no "good guys" in this tale. But a self-representing mobster in a two year long trial offers the height of absurdity. The film is a little slow in spots, but how do you tell the tale of a massive trial the took almost two years just to present the evidence?
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