The Traitor
By Danny Brogan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Italian mob biopic is courtroom drama with bloody violence.

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The Traitor
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What's the Story?
THE TRAITOR is the real-life story of Sicilian Mafia boss turned informant, Tommaso Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino). Following the murder of two of his sons, Buscetta begins to question the criminal code he has dedicated his entire life to. After his arrest in Brazil, Buscetta is given an ultimatum; testify against his fellow Mafia bosses, or suffer the consequences. He agrees to the authorities demands and helps bring one of the biggest-ever cases against the Cosa Nostra.
Is It Any Good?
Part biopic, part courtroom drama, this is an Italian Mafia -- or "Cosa Nostra" as the central character keeps reminding us -- movie of epic proportions. The action takes place on the island of Sicily, Brazil, mainland Italy, and later the U.S., spread over a period of 30 years. As such the running time is little over two and half hours. Not unheard of in films from this genre -- both The Godfather and Goodfellas are longer. However, whereas those movies warranted this attention span, The Traitor could have spent more time in the editing room. But trim away the excess fat, and you'll find a meaty biopic of a man who was directly responsible for the conviction of over 400 members of the mob during the 1980s and 1990s.
Favino plays the titular role of a real-life Mafioso Tommaso Buscetta -- or Don Masino -- who turns informant after what he perceives a portrayal to the "values" of the Cosa Nostra. It's a role that allows Favino to show his full range -- for the most part stoic, but also with flashes of pain and anger. Director Marco Bellocchio demonstrates his own skill set with some breathtaking set pieces, most notably the moment Buscetta decides to turn informant and another where a car bomb is shown from the point of view of the victims, spinning in slow motion as their vehicle is catapulted into the air. Audiences have always had an appetite for Mafia movies and The Traitor provides a pivotal chapter in the Cosa Nostra's history -- albeit one they'd like to forget.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Traitor. How did it add to the story? Were there any consequences for the perpetrators? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
What were Buscetta's motives to become an informant? Were his former friends and family right to be angry at him? Discuss the idea of betraying your friends for the right reasons.
Why are movies about the Mafia so popular? How does this compare to other movies from the genre?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 12, 2020
- Cast: Pierfrancesco Favino, Luigi Lo Cascio, Fausto Russo Alesi
- Director: Marco Bellocchio
- Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 153 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence, sexual content, language and brief graphic nudity
- Last updated: April 15, 2023
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