This is the incredible but true story of Thomas Uva and his
girlfriend Rose Marie De Toma, who infamously held up several Mafia social
clubs in New York City during the trial of mobster John Gotti. In a deliciously
written style, and directed with exuberance, this film takes you on the the
journey with 2 young lovers who have a whole lot of love, but not too much
sense. Still, you can’t help but be drawn to them; if only for their innocence.
Thomas and Rose are crackheads who steal to support their
habits. When a robbery goes bad and they are both sentenced to prison terms,
Rose makes a big change in her life. When she is released from prison she gets
a job working at a collection agency, scaring payments from people who owe
money. She is ruthless and the boss thinks she’s great. So, when Thomas comes
out of jail the boss hires him as well.
But Thomas spends more time on the phone telling people how
to avoid paying than he does collecting. And he often disappears for hours,
looking for something more exciting to do. He finds it when he attends a
session of the infamous John Gotti trial.
During testimony Sammy the Bull states the address and name
of one of the Mafia’s social clubs in Queens. He also states that no guns are
allowed in these clubs because “guns and wise guys don’t mix.” This is all that
Thomas has been waiting for. He has a plan.
Approaching Rose with his idea to rob these clubs he is met
with anger as Rose does not want either of them to return to their former ways,
which will surely lead them back to jail; or worse. But she is an adrenalin
junkie, just like Thomas; high on the fear and excitement that comes with it.
The first robbery goes well; and so does the second. But as
the mob is under surveillance at all the social clubs the Feds have them on
film by the 3rd job. A
reporter who is also covering the John Gotti trial becomes involved and
conducts an interview with Rose, during which she divulges enough information
about herself and Thomas that the mob is now able to find them if they chose
to.
But Thomas has found something of real value in the last
holdup. He now has a list showing all the members of the Gambino family and
their positions in the mob. Armed with this Rose and Thomas actually call the
mobsters up and tell them that if anything happens to either one of them the
list will be given to the FBI. They have now signed their own death warrants.
The reporter asks the Feds to protect them, but to the FBI
the two lovers are casualties; just collateral damage. The reporter offers them
airline tickets to Mexico, but the two refuse, actually believing they are
invincible. They were killed on December 24, 1992.
Featuring excellent acting by everyone; with Ray Romano as
the reporter; Cathy Moriarty as Thomas’ beleaguered Mom, Michael Pitt as Tommy
Uva; and Nina Arianda as Rose; the film
also sports a sharply written script by Jonathan Fernandez.
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