Find Me Guilty

"Sometimes the best defense... is a wiseguy."

2006 2h 5m EN

👍

6.5

SOLID

🍅

63%

FRESH

👌

METACRITIC

⭐

IMDB

★6.5TMDB · 571🍅63%Rotten Tomatoes●65Metacritic★7IMDB · 37,885

ComedyCrimeDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Based on the true story of Jack DiNorscio, a mobster who defended himself in court for what would be the longest mafia trial in U.S. history.

“Sometimes the best defense... is a wiseguy.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Vin Diesel
Jackie DiNorscio
Alex Rocco
Nick Calabrese
Ron Silver
Sidney Finestein
Peter Dinklage
Ben Klandis
Linus Roache
Sean Kierney
Frank Pietrangolare
Carlo Mascarpone
Annabella Sciorra
Bella DiNorscio
Richard DeDomenico
Tom Napoli

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Sidney Lumet
Writers: Robert J. McCrea, Sidney Lumet, T.J. Mancini
Languages: English
Countries: Germany, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 20% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 20 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Germany, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Sidney Lumet, shot by Ron Fortunato. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jonathan Tunick. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tom Swartwout shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Vin Diesel and Alex Rocco and Ron Silver carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Sometimes the best defense... is a wiseguy.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Sidney Lumet directs. Ron Fortunato behind the camera. Jonathan Tunick scores. Tom Swartwout cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Germany, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 20% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 20 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: Germany, United States of America.
4Directed by Sidney Lumet, shot by Ron Fortunato. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Jonathan Tunick. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Tom Swartwout shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Vin Diesel and Alex Rocco and Ron Silver carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Sometimes the best defense... is a wiseguy.".
9IMDB entry: tt0419749 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Ron Fortunato
Original score: Jonathan Tunick
Editing: Tom Swartwout
Production design: Christopher Nowak
Costume design: Tina Nigro
Makeup / hair: Kerrie Smith
Stunt coordinator: Blaise Corrigan
Runtime: 125 min · 2h 5m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $13,000,000
Box office: $2,636,637
Return: 20% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Find Me Guilty (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% 🍅 Fresh
Metacritic: 65/100
IMDB rating: 7/10 · 37,885 votes
MPAA: R

Awards

1 win & 2 nominations total

Also by

Sidney Lumet

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2022-11-21
★ 6/10
I think I might have appreciated this rather plodding courtroom drama a bit more had I been able to hear more of what Vin Diesel was actually saying - but for much of this he had the distinct disadvantage of not being too near a working microphone. He portrays real life hood Jackie DiNorscio, a man already serving a thirty year sentence when he is summoned by District Attorney Tierney (Linus Roache) and offered a deal. Testify against one of the big five crime families and have his prison term reduced. He sticks to his guns and declines, only to find himself joining the list of arraigned and facing even longer behind bars. Broke, he decides to defend himself and is soon entertaining and annoying the judge and the jury in equal measure with his lively and unorthodox methods. Diesel does not do emotion well, nor subtlety - and when the part calls for it, he delivers poorly. Otherwise though, he turns in a reasonable enough effort as the charismatic crook who makes no bones about his naughty past, but extols the virtues of loyalty, family and decency to try and persuade the jury to acquit not just him, but his gaggle of positively dodgy associates. It's based on a true story so the ending is a matter of public record thus robbing this of any jeopardy and unfortunately, that too, renders the story rather unremarkable save for the fact that the trial lasted all but two years and cost a fortune. Ron Silver stands out amongst the supporting cast as the no nonsense judge but otherwise the others offer little by way memorable contribution to a story that is itself pretty lacklustre and for which this particular star isn't really well equipped. It's over two hours long and to be honest, I was rather tired with it after about half of that time.
r96sk2024-05-02
★ 6/10
I'm not convinced by this one. <em>'Find Me Guilty'</em> works more than it probably should and I wasn't actually ever bored by any of the events onscreen, but I can't really shake the feeling that it isn't a good movie. Seeing Vin Diesel in the lead role felt off, I adore him in <em>'Fast & Furious'</em> but he doesn't fit this role all that much. The accent, the mob boss-esque acting, the hair... The vibe of the film is also felt quite ill-fitting. I don't know anything about the real life case that this depicts, but based on a quick look online I can see why the film portrays Diesel's lead character in the way it does. Though I feel like it ignores too much and wants you to root for characters without giving suitable reasons as to why you should; aside from shaking fists in the air at authority figures. It's not necessarily strictly bad, it is just not one I can personally describe as being good; a standard 6/10 for me. I did like Peter Dinklage and Alex Rocco in this, though.