Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams: A Closer Look at the Relatable Crime Epic

Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams is a 2008 crime drama film that tells the story of two Jewish brothers, Sal and Joey, who become involved in organized crime in 1950s New York City. The film stars John Turturro, Michael Rapaport, and Paul Herman, and was written and directed by James Toback.

The film opens with Sal and Joey as young boys, growing up in a working-class Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. Their father, Lou (Paul Herman),is a hard-working man who owns a small grocery store. Sal and Joey are both bright and ambitious, but they are also drawn to the allure of the gangster lifestyle. They start out by running errands for local mobsters, and eventually they become involved in more serious crimes.

Tough Jews: Fathers, Sons, and Ganster Dreams

by James Egan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20001 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages

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As Sal and Joey become more involved in organized crime, their relationship with their father becomes strained. Lou is a good and honest man, and he is horrified by the path that his sons have chosen. He tries to talk them out of it, but they refuse to listen. Eventually, Lou disowns them, and Sal and Joey are left to fend for themselves.

Sal and Joey continue to rise through the ranks of the mob, and they eventually become two of the most powerful gangsters in New York City. However, their success comes at a price. They are constantly under threat of violence, and they live in constant fear of being betrayed by their friends. Joey is eventually killed by a rival gang, and Sal is left alone and broken.

Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams is a powerful and moving film about the American Dream and the consequences of pursuing it at any cost. The film is full of complex and relatable characters, and it offers a unique perspective on the Jewish experience in America.

Themes

Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams explores a number of complex themes, including:

• The American Dream: The film examines the American Dream and the ways in which it can be both a blessing and a curse. Sal and Joey are both drawn to the gangster lifestyle because it offers them a chance to achieve the American Dream of wealth and success. However, they soon learn that the American Dream comes at a price, and they must ultimately sacrifice their values and their relationships in order to achieve it.
• Fatherhood: The film also explores the complex relationship between fathers and sons. Lou is a good and honest man, but he is unable to prevent his sons from choosing a life of crime. Sal and Joey both love their father, but they resent him for not being able to protect them from the dangers of the gangster lifestyle.
• Betrayal: The film also explores the theme of betrayal. Sal and Joey are constantly betrayed by their friends and associates, and they eventually learn that they can trust no one. This betrayal leads to a deep sense of paranoia and isolation, which ultimately destroys them.

Characters

The characters in Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams are complex and relatable. Sal and Joey are both flawed characters, but they are also human and understandable. They are drawn to the gangster lifestyle for different reasons, but they both ultimately pay the price for their choices.

• Sal: Sal is the older brother, and he is the brains of the operation. He is a charismatic and ambitious man, and he is determined to succeed in the gangster lifestyle. However, Sal is also a deeply insecure man, and he is constantly worried about being betrayed by his friends and associates.
• Joey: Joey is the younger brother, and he is the muscle of the operation. He is a violent and impulsive man, and he is always ready to use his fists to solve problems. However, Joey is also a loyal and devoted friend, and he is always there for Sal.
• Lou: Lou is Sal and Joey's father, and he is a good and honest man. He is horrified by the path that his sons have chosen, and he tries to talk them out of it. However, Sal and Joey refuse to listen, and Lou is eventually forced to disown them.

Tough Jews, Fathers & Sons, and Gangster Dreams is a powerful and moving film about the American Dream and the consequences of pursuing it at any cost. The film is full of complex and relatable characters, and it offers a unique perspective on the Jewish experience in America.

The film is a must-see for fans of crime dramas, and it is also a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the history of organized crime in America.

Tough Jews: Fathers, Sons, and Ganster Dreams

by James Egan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20001 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE