Michel Poulette
Bonanno - La storia di un padrino

This film is based on a memoir written in 1983 by one of the five historical godfathers of the American Cosa Nostra: Joe Bonanno, better known as Joe Bananas. It's an important document because it's a godfather himself who tells, from the inside, the story of the New York Mafia. If you plan to watch the film, don't read on; if you don't, read this brief story. I think you'll find it interesting. Early last century. A young man arrives at the New York port, directly from Castellammare del Golfo, one of the most beautiful coastlines of Sicily. His name is Giuseppe Bonanno. He is a young man whom nature has endowed with extraordinary intelligence: he knows when to keep silent and listen, and he only speaks when asked or when he has something to say. His father and grandfather were both men of honor of the old Sicilian landowning mafia, and they instilled in him the "principles of the honored society." To these principles, Giuseppe will remain faithful throughout his life.

The young Bonanno, with his intelligence, diligence, "morality," and lack of reverence for anyone, soon earns the respect of Salvatore Maranzano, head of the "Castellammarese" family—one of the Mafia families in New York. Once Giuseppe becomes Joe, he effectively becomes Maranzano's deputy. And he is just over twenty.

The "Castellammarese War" starts (1930): Maranzano, who rules in Brooklyn, challenges the arrogance of the Manhattan boss, Joe Masseria. After the latter's death (April 15, 1931), Maranzano declares himself "boss of all bosses" and appoints the names of the 5 New York Godfathers: Lucky Luciano, Vincent Mangano, Gaetano (Tom) Gagliano, Joe Profaci, and indeed Joe Bonanno (the latter just 26 years old).

A few months later (September 10, 1931), Lucky Luciano has Maranzano killed, becoming the new "boss of bosses." Bonanno is ready to react to his godfather's death, but Luciano persuades him to "let it go." Joe lets it go, and this "reasonable" gesture saves his life and leads him to become one of the most important godfathers the Mafia has ever known.

From this moment on, until the statements of Joe Valachi (1962), Bonanno's name will remain unknown to law enforcement - thanks to the discretion and low profile with which he conducted his affairs.

In the film, you will observe Bonanno's diplomatic skill within the "commission," as he tries to act as a "charismatic mediator" between the "old-fashioned" mobsters (Profaci, Mangano, and Gagliano) and the "young Turk" Lucky Luciano (a vain godfather, guilty of being friends with the "Jew" Meyer Lansky, the Hyman Roth of "The Godfather II").

And you will see Bonanno's categorical NO to drugs and prostitution - because they were "against honor."

You will also witness the murder of Vincent Mangano (1951) by the sociopath Albert Anastasia, who will take his place. This moment is central in the film because here Bonanno, along with Joe Profaci, understands that the "old school" is over.

You will witness the assassination attempt on "Senator" Frank Costello (1957) by the "Neapolitan" Vito Genovese. Costello (who has nothing to do with the Frank Costello in "The Departed") was the "acting godfather" in New York on behalf of Lucky Luciano, who, through the senator, continued to command Cosa Nostra - even while living (in exile) in Naples. With this act and the assassination of Albert Anastasia (October 1957), Genovese dared to challenge Luciano's authority, becoming, but only for a few months, the new "boss of bosses."

Then you will witness the (failed) meeting at Appalachin (November 1957) in which Genovese's "new Mafia" gathered to introduce drugs into its business. Bonanno will refuse to attend, and this will mark his break with the new policy of the Cupola: money and drugs have taken precedence over "principles."

With the death of two historical godfathers, Luciano and Joe Profaci (both passing in 1962), Carlo Gambino, supported by Tom Lucchese (who became head of the Gagliano family in 1951), becomes the "boss of bosses,” and Bonanno, who lost two of his supporters in a few months, is not on board. While he had let go in 1931, this time he commits a "reaction sin"—the only mistake of his life—that will cost him the role of godfather.

You will then witness his kidnapping by his cousin Steven Magaddino, the Buffalo godfather.

Bonanno will even go to war against Gambino ("The Bananas War," 1966 - 1968), a war almost won, but a heart attack (1968) will lead Joe to decide to retire to private life in Tucson, Arizona, where he will die in 2002, at the age of 97.

Although Bonanno was a mobster, and thus, as such, deserving of all condemnation (moral and judicial), he was a mobster with an ethic: he never wanted to get involved with drugs, foregoing immense profits—and this must be recognized. According to many, Mario Puzo was inspired by him in depicting the character of Vito Corleone.

An FBI agent, an expert in wiretapping, said upon hearing him speak on the phone: "The other mobsters are fools. He, on the other hand, is more cautious than a chess player.” It’s a scene from the film.

About him, Rudolf Giuliani, an anti-mafia judge before becoming the mayor of New York, said: "He was someone who could have succeeded if he had engaged in legal activities. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong path.”