By Scott Cronick
"Under Hellgate Bridge" is one of those rare independant films that may find its way to a theater near you.
A look at the cast, which includes Michael Rodrick from "Another World"; Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior) and Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) from "The Sopranos"; character actor Frank Vincent of "Goodfellas," "Raging Bull," and "Do The Right Thing"; as well as Jonathan LaPaglia from... the LaPaglia family - should be enogh names to get any film a distribution deal.
But after watching this relatively short feature, you'll realize there's much more than the big names that will get this movie into the multiplexes or art houses.
Despite the picture you get in your head when you look at the cast list, "Under Hellgate Bridge" is not just another low-budget mobster flick. It's a passionate film with a lot of heart. Director Michael Sergio calls it a modern-day western set in Astoria; kind of like Shane meets "Godfellas."
And he's not very far off. But those quotes understate the depth that is the heart of "Under Hellgate Bridge." While quotes like Sergio's may put people into the seats, "Under Hellgate Bridge" is much more than that.
At its core it's a morality tale about drugs, addiction, loyalty and family struggles, all tied together through a well-written script by Sergio that is brought together by the talented actors he somehow assembled with a low budget. It's one of the best films offered at this year's festival.
The Story, set in the mean streets that run beneath New York City's Hellgate Bridge, centers around Ryan (Rodrick), a former convict and heroin addict who returns home after a long absence for the funeral of his brother Jimmy, who overdosed on the smack that Ryan once introduced to him.
When he returns, he finds that his surviving brother Eddie (Brian Vincent) is hooked on heroin; and his former girlfriend Carla (Jordan Bayne) is married and has a son with the small-time mobster Vincent (LaPaglia), the guy that sold the heroin that killed his brother.
As the film unfolds, Ryan struggles with the inner demons that he's trying to squelch. Is it his fault that his brother is dead? Is there any chance he'll reunite with the woman he still loves? Will his only living brother end up dead, too? Will he stick the needle in his veins again?
Confronted by the reality that he is about to lose everything, Ryan turns to Father Nichols (Chianese) for help in a neighborhood where the bridge symbolizes death, escape, and renewal.
While the gritty, realistic script is certainly the strength of the film - especially the dialogue by Sergio, who found himself under that bridge in real life at 16 years old - it's the stellar cast that doesn't let "Under Hellgate Bridge" collapse.
Rodrick's Ryan offers an atypical protagonist. Marred by his past decisions yet optimistic about his future, his role could earn Rodrick some bigger jobs.
He has the looks and chops to make something of himself.
The same goes for LaPaglia, whose evil turn as Vincent is multidimensional. Confident, yet childish, Vincent comes across as the confused villain he is. Bayne's also impressive as Carla. Her personality is strong, but you can feel her fragility.
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Pastore offers a solid performance as Vincent's bodyguard. Frank Vincent is perfect as the film's level-headed authority figure and crime lord Big Sal. And Chianese offers a kind, compassionate turn as the priest, very unlike his role in "The Sopranos."
But the runaway performance in "Under Hellgate Bridge" is Brian Vincent as the heroin addict Eddie. His drug problems are only compounded by his naiveté, yet he wears his good heart on his sleeve at all times. It's a terrific performance.
"Under Hellgate Bridge" may end up getting a limited release, and it deserves it. The gritty, powerful film has a polished look, superb cast and just the right mix of action and dialogue. It's a bridge well worth crossing.
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