Harvey Keitel always manages to bring something unique to his working class New York characters, and he does it here again, as the ancient Meyer Lansky, notorious mobster, recounting his life to a biographer (Sam Worthington), A common premise, in this case based on a true story, including that of the biographer which, though encompassing both international intrigue contrasted with the writer's intimate family troubles, can't compare to the scenes with Keitel. The incidents chosen for flashbacks in Lansky's life are also excellent all around, well chosen and well assembled to give a cogent view of his part in gangster life and also the difficulties and disappointments of his private life A rewarding couple of hours.
