5 (Cinque) is a new Italian crime film, which looks to have been highly influenced by Romanzo criminale. According to the synopsis, it’s the story of:
Manolo, who is, and always has been, a blowhard. As a child, along with four roommates at his reformatory, he creates a gang of petty criminals. A blood pact sealing their friendship, which endures through their marrying, having children, taking drugs and other vices. Once grown, they decide to set up a robbery and find that they have, in their hands, a booty that goes beyond their highest expectations: in addition to the millions of euros expected, they also find a briefcase with some top secret contents. While enjoying their new lives of luxury, the Russian Mafia discovers that they are in possession of the precious briefcase. For Manolo and his friends, their lives become a race for survival.
Its had a limited release, showing in just 6 cinemas, and a small budget (€350,000). The reviews have been middling at best: “The director aims to reach the highest tradition of American gangster movie – and the attempt is commendable, considering the small number of genre films in Italy – but 5 (Five) falls short, coming up against intrinsic production limits and a script too tied to the movie stereotypes of the criminal world.” (Mymovies.it)
The director, Francesco Maria Dominedò, is a former actor who has spent some time in Hollywood. The cast are all new to me…
Here’s the trailer: