Find Me Guilty (2006)

This movie reminded me that I didn't always hate Vin Diesel - the guy can actually act when he bothers to pick a script that demands it.

Here he plays Jackie DiNorscio, a wise guy who's one of about 20 defendants -- and he's the only one defending himself. At the beginning of the film, we're told that most of the courtroom dialogue is taken directly from court transcripts. I'm glad they told me that, otherwise I'd have been rolling my eyes at the ridiculous screenplay. In his opening statements, Jackie assures the jury that he's "a gagster, not a gangster" and proceeds to do everything he can to convince them of that statement's veracity.

Though almost all of the story takes place on the utilitarian courtroom set, my interest didn't wane. The politics of being part of a crime family, Jackie's refusal to to turn his back on a boss who clearly loathes him, and his equal refusal to rat on law enforcement who harrass him, make for a compelling story. Jackie's loyalty is clearly his strong suit and it struck a chord with me. It's kind of disturbing that I can nod my head in agreement that Jackie was just doing what must be done for the good of the family. But I guess The Sopranos have kind of softened me up.

My one complaint is that they made the prosecutor such an over-the-top villain. I was already on Jackie's side without hating the guy at the other table.

B+