Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tacky TV doc has violence, cursing, and mobsters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Get Gotti
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
GET GOTTI chronicles the rise and fall of late crime boss John Gotti from both sides of the law. In December 1985 the charismatic New York mobster took over the Gambino crime family after its boss, Paul Castellano, was assassinated in broad daylight. In 1992, after three failed trials, Gotti, aka "Teflon Don" was sentenced to life in prison. With the help of folks like Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) investigators like Frank O'Hara, FBI Agent George Gabriel, N.Y. State Attorney A. Kire Bartley, and federal prosecutor Laura A. Ward, the three-part documentary reveals how much time and effort it took to take down the notorious gangster. Meanwhile, former Gotti associates like Andrea Giovino and Anthony Ruggiano talk about what he was like, and what made him "The King of New York." Archive footage and wiretap recordings help round out the storytelling process.
Is It Any Good?
Sure, this docuseries offers some insights into how state and federal law enforcement went about prosecuting John Gotti for organized crimes, and the efforts he made to stay out of prison. Get Gotti also highlights how Gotti's looks and public persona made him a local celebrity, even though he was responsible for crimes ranging from rackateering and witness intimidation to the murder of his former boss Paul Castellano. The mobster's penchant for talking too much, and how this helped convict him, is also discussed. But rather than a well-produced, informative documentary, Get Gotti comes across as a tacky true crime exposé that seems to laud Gotti's caricature-like associates, some of whom openly (and proudly) admit to being thieves, assassins, drug dealers. and extortionists while nostalgically talking about how important Gotti was to them. The result is a production that seems to equally glorify and vilify one of New York's most flamboyant gangsters in a way that's often hard to take seriously.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of organized crime-themed movies and TV shows. Does entertainment media glamorize what they do? Is it appropriate?
How are viewers of Get Gotti supposed to feel about John Gotti after watching this series? What about the law enforcement agencies that spent five years trying to get him behind bars?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 24, 2023
- Cast : John Gotti , Laura A. Ward , Frank O’Hara
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 4, 2024
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