Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 29, 2024

William Reilly's "Men of Respect" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The only bonus feature on the release is a vintage theatrical trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

John Turturro is a wonderful character actor. However, he was not the right actor to play Mike Battaglia, an ambitious hitman modeled after the iconic Macbeth. Virtually everything Turturro does in front of William Reilly’s camera looks forced, easily creating the impression that Battaglia is an impostor. What makes Turturro’s relationship with Battaglia even more problematic is that he is surrounded by many equally wonderful character actors, a few even better than him, like Rod Steiger, Dennis Farina, and Peter Boyle, who look great. Turturro is supposed to have a commanding presence, effectively managing the evolution of the drama, and he does not. He only struggles with a flawed character.

Directed by Reilly in 1990, Men of Respect is a contemporary reimagination of William Shakespeare’s classic play Macbeth. It is set in New York City, during an unspecified period, where two Italian mob bosses break an old agreement to coexist peacefully and then quickly declare an all-out war on each other. In the ensuing chaos, the pragmatism of Battaglia and his best friend, Bankie Como (Farina), also a hitman, are recognized by one of the mob bosses, Charlie D’Amico (Steiger), who seeks a quick resolution of the war and a return to normalcy, which everyone agrees is best for business. While progress is made, Battaglia is convinced by his wife (Katherine Borowitz) that there will never be a better time for him to replace D’Amico, and, with her assistance, he kills him. Battaglia then sells D’Amico’s murder as a successful hit job masterminded by his nemesis, and, while tensions run high, takes over the organization the late boss has been running for years. Just days later, Bankie and several other suspicious gangsters are taken out under fall pretexts. However, Battaglia’s complete triumph is spoiled by one of D’Amico’s closest associates, Matt Duffy (Peter Boyle), who miraculously dodges a bomb placed in his car that kills his wife and son and goes on the warpath to avenge their death.

Despite the drastically different setting and drama, Reilly makes it quite easy to draw parallels between Battaglia and Macbeth as they slowly enter the abyss of madness and begin self-destructing. Their internal struggle to accept the consequences of their actions and the maddening fear that overwhelms them are extremely similar. Sadly, this is the greatest compliment one can give Men of Respect.

The rest, while not terrible, is difficult to praise. It is plenty, too. Indeed, the few sequences where Battaglia is seen overwhelmed by fear are short, while the ones where he must dominate are long and diverse. For example, in some of these sequences, Battaglia must convince that his transformation from a hitman into a boss is complete, but at best he exudes only what seems like mismanaged anger. The material is not problematic, Turturro simply cannot get Battaglia to appear like an authentic Italian gangster who has risen to the top and wants everyone to understand that he intends to remain there.

What partially redeems Men of Respect is the supporting male cast. Steiger, Farina, and Boyle are joined by the likes of Michael Badalucco, Stanley Tucci, Joseph Carberry, David Thornton, and Vincent Pastore, all of whom look like authentic wise guys. Some, like Pastore, have no memorable lines, but their presence is excellent and becomes crucial for the intended atmosphere.

Ultimately, it is safe to declare that Men of Respect will not earn the respect of admirers of Shakespeare’s classic play. But it is just as safe to declare that Reilly did not conceive it to do so. Men of Respect was supposed to appeal to a different audience that would feel inspired to get acquainted with the iconic Macbeth after witnessing Battaglia’s transformation and the tense drama surrounding it. Despite Turturro’s performance, Men of Respect is a decent gangster film, but not a convincing contemporary introduction to Shakespeare’s classic play.

Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Men of Respect arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The master that was used to source this release is not new. However, while it reveals some limitations, it is quite good and healthy. Delineation, clarity, and depth, for instance, are typically pleasing. Density levels are good, too. Color balance is stable and saturation levels are pretty much where they need to be. Yes, in some areas highlights and darker nuances can be a tad more convincing, but there are no troubling anomalies. What are some of the limitations of the master? Depth is not always optimal. In several daylight sequences, background information can be more convincing. On the other hand, because there are no traces of digital tinkering, but even these areas look good. Also, ideally grain exposure should be a little more convincing. Image stability is good. I noticed a few blemishes, but there are no large cuts, debris, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The lossless track is very good, but lossless tracks on older masters supplied by Sony Pictures usually are. All dialog is very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. There are no balance issues. During the action footage, dynamic intensity is good, but elsewhere dynamic contrasts are mostly average. This is a limitation of the original sound design. Is there any room for improvement? In a few areas, I felt that the audio could have been slightly fuller, but it is difficult to tell whether a remastering job can make a difference. This could be an inherited limitation as well.

Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for Men of Respect. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

Men of Respect Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

William Reilly's screenplay and direction are good and could have produced a very effective contemporary reimagination of William Shakespeare's classic play Macbeth. However, John Turturro was not the right actor to be its star. His mismanaged performance frequently leaves the impression that he is an impostor, rather than an authentic Italian hitman who has his head filled with delusions of grandeur. Nevertheless, a very solid supporting male cast partially redeems Men of Respect. RECOMMENDED.