Don Q (2023) Movie Review

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Don Q – Movie Review

First Reaction – Don Q gets some good laughs and laughs the Mafia mentality.

Where to Watch

Don Q is on digital 15 September from Reel2Reel Films.

Director: Claudio Bellante

Writer: Claudio Bellante, Michael Domino (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Armand Assante (American Gangster)
  • Chuck Zito (The Rock)
  • Frank Aquilino (Goodfellas)
  • Alesandra Assante
  • Marcello Assante

Don Q, who lives in Little Italy, pretends to be a powerful mafia leader hoping to bring back what he sees as the neighborhood’s traditional values. But when a dangerous former convict comes back, Don Q’s fantasy is threatened, and he and one of his followers get caught up in a fight for control of the area.

Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

The story of Don Q begins with Don Q (Assante), a man living in a small Italian-American neighborhood who fancies himself a powerful Mafia leader. He genuinely wants to better the community and protect its residents, and most people simply tolerate his behavior, allowing him to go about his daily life.

Everything changes for him when a dangerous, recently released criminal moves to town, shattering his quiet life. He needs help from the community to fight back and prevent the gangster from taking control.

Verdict on Don Q

Recap

The film centers around an elderly man who fancies himself a Mafia boss. When a real crime boss comes back to town, the two come into conflict. The man is forced to figure out where his loyalties lie and defend his community.

Best Parts

The film cleverly satirizes common stereotypes about the Mafia and the tough-guy image often associated with gangsters. The acting is solid, and the lead actor delivers a humorous performance in a naturally funny way, without trying too hard to be comedic.

Worst Parts

Overall, the movie is well-made, but it drags on a bit. The comedic moments aren’t quite as strong as they could be, and the film unexpectedly becomes overly serious.

Final Thoughts –Don Q is a fun poking laughs at the Mafia life style.

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2025-09-15 14:38