Book Review: The Greatest Gangster Movie You’ve Never Seen

BearManor Media has released Danny Stewart’s latest book, this one concentrating on Abel Ferrara’s The Funeral.  Stewart’s books take a deep dive into a film, figuring out exactly what makes it work successfully.  He often chooses films that are great, but overlooked, bringing out various points that indicate its true significance as cinema and its place in history.  This book might be his best yet.

Stewart calls Ferrara “one of the most daring and provocative filmmakers of his generation,” and in his first chapter, Stewart breaks down Ferrara’s work, effectively proving this claim.  A following chapter discusses Ferrara’s work with cinematographer Ken Kelsch, which includes a testimonial from Kelsch’s son Chris. Actor Christopher Walken weighs in next, continuing to make this book as thorough as it is engaging. 

Among the best segments of this book are the in-depth interviews Stewart conducts with Abel Ferrara, Ken Kelsch, Production Designer Charlie M. Legola,  Costume Designer Mindy Eshelman, Producer Mary Kane, and Actress Isabella Rossellini.  Each of them offer keen insight as to their contribution to The Funeral which gives further substance and measure of appreciation to the work.

After some cultural and historical discussion covering the Rossellini family and the history of gangster and crime drama on film, the author has fully structured the introductory context and is able to confront the film itself.  Stewart examines the role of women, visual style and aesthetics, critical reception and an Afterword by Brad Stevens who also writes the Foreword .

Danny Stewart’s fulfilling study of Abel Ferrara’s The Funeral is an excellent book, not only for fans of the film and the filmmaker but for anyone interested in truly good writing about the cinematic process. 

The book is available at this link:  FERRARA