Allora! I keep saying that I need to watch more Italian movies but I’m having problems finding them. For example, the movie we’re going to be talking about today has just 2 user and 6 critic reviews over on IMDb. Additionally, even if you find something that looks promising you still need to find the subtitles and a good-quality scene release. I mean, you need to find a completely legal streaming platform. Yes, that’s what I meant by that. Behind the puzzling title, Golden Men hides a highly underrated Italian heist movie based on true events.
I didn’t know that the term Golden Men in criminal circles means thieves who pull off a perfectly planned robbery without any victims. Of course, the booty should also be quite hefty. If you decide to read more about Robbery at the Turin Post Office be ready for some major spoilers. So, I highly suggest you first watch the movie and only after it’s over check out what really happened. We will be following two armored car drivers who decide enough is enough and start planning a daring robbery. They’re joined by one of their friends and the heist is officially on.
However, things will soon start to get increasingly complicated and deadly even. The movie focuses more on the characters than on the heist itself. We will learn more about them and their motivation for doing such a dangerous criminal act. I liked this approach as it humanized them and practically explained why all of this happened. And don’t worry, the movie will walk us through the heist as well as all the subsequent chaos. If you want to watch a movie focusing solely on an armored car robbery I suggest you check out Armored.
Golden Men has this vibrant and almost positive atmosphere. Like you’re watching Italian Oceans 11, a breezy crime comedy. However, you should not forget you’re watching a European movie based on actual events and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Of course, football will find its way somehow into the story. Just like it did in another Italian movie, All You Need Is Crime. Man, I’m getting too fucking old, I remember Ravanelli playing for Juventus back then just because of his gray hair.
While the story of that movie takes place in the eighties, this one takes place in the nineties. So, the entire movie has that cool retro vibe that’s becoming increasingly popular these days. The production values are excellent and the movie looks like any AAA Hollywood movie. The movie was shot on location in the scenic Italian city of Turin. Too bad we won’t see more of it. I feel like this is what Golden Men was missing, a bit of immersive scenes that won’t propel the story forward or develop the characters.
They’re there to help the viewer further immerse himself in the setting and the story. Adagio, another Italian movie, did this masterfully. I watch these foreign movies not just because they’re good and highly underrated but also because they will help you get to know the people living in these countries a bit better. You will see how they live, talk, and what are their hopes and dreams. Finally, if you know any good Italian movies feel free to recommend them in the comments section. Rabbit out.
Director: Vincenzo Alfieri
Writers: Vincenzo Alfieri, Alessandro Aronadio, Renato Sannio
Cast: Fabio De Luigi, Edoardo Leo, Giampaolo Morelli, Giuseppe Ragone, Mariela Garriga, Matilde Gioli
Fun Facts: Most of the main characters are named after famous Italian football players. Zago and Meroni played for Torino while Bodini was Juventus’s goalkeeper.
Rating:
IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9133370/
