Mobsters, released in theaters on July 26, 1991, attempts to chronicle the early lives and rise to power of some of America’s most infamous gangsters: Charles “Lucky” Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, and Frank Costello. The film offers a stylized, often violent, look at their formative years in New York City’s Lower East Side and their eventual consolidation of power during the Prohibition era.
The story begins in the impoverished streets of New York, where a young Lucky Luciano (Christian Slater) forms a tight bond with his ambitious friends: the brilliant strategist Meyer Lansky (Patrick Dempsey), the volatile and unpredictable Bugsy Siegel (Richard Grieco), and the smooth operator Frank Costello (Costas Mandylor). As they navigate the harsh realities of their neighborhood, they quickly learn that power in the city belongs to those willing to take it.
Their early ventures involve petty crimes and street fights, but their ambition soon leads them to challenge the established crime bosses of the era. They find themselves clashing with powerful figures like the ruthless Joe Masseria (Anthony Quinn) and the cunning Salvatore Maranzano (Michael Gambon).
The film depicts their strategic alliances, brutal betrayals, and violent turf wars as they systematically dismantle the old guard and lay the groundwork for what would become the modern American Mafia.
The narrative follows their ascent, showcasing their evolution from street thugs to sophisticated crime leaders. Along the way, they encounter various characters who influence their path, including the alluring Lana Eisen (Lara Flynn Boyle), the loyal Tommy Reina (Chris Penn), and the formidable Arnold Rothstein (F. Murray Abraham), who serves as a mentor figure.
Titus Welliver also appears in a supporting role as Al Capone.
The film culminates in the infamous Castellammarese War, a bloody conflict that reshaped the landscape of organized crime in America.
Christian Slater in Mobsters (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Mobsters
Mobsters grossed $6 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which pulled in $11.1 million in its fourth weekend.
The film would gross $20.2 million in its theatrical run.
Hal Hinson in his review said “Mobsters is a kiddie Cotton Club — The Godfather.”
Legacy
While Mobsters boasts a strong ensemble cast of rising stars and veteran actors, and attempts to tell an ambitious origin story, it often prioritizes style and action over historical accuracy and character depth. It’s remembered for its energetic performances, particularly Slater’s portrayal of Luciano, and its stylized depiction of the Prohibition era.
For fans of gangster films, it offers an entertaining, if not entirely definitive, look at the early lives of these legendary figures. It stands as a notable entry in the mob genre of the early 90s, appealing to those interested in the dramatic and often violent beginnings of organized crime in America.
