King of the Gypsies (1978)

Eric Roberts made his film debut as the grandson of an Old World gypsy king who is chosen over his father to lead the remnants of the clan into the modern age. Director Frank Pierson, who also adapted Peter Maas' book, goes for a theatrically overwrought style here that plays like an opera minus the singing; we get the anger, the torment, the gesticulating and all the fiery emotions, but what the film lacks (and what Pierson could really use) is some sensitivity. The talented, eclectic all-star cast and the unusual milieu certainly hold interest, but this character portrait is pitched too high to hit any of its targets. *1/2 from ****

Writer/director Frank Pierson attempts a time period drama ala Francis Ford Coppola in the GODFATHER-inspired KING OF THE GYPSIES, centering on those infamously resilient scarf- waring vagabonds. The first act introduces the self titled leader of con-artist nomads played by Sterling Hayden, whose energetic performance makes up for the fact we get little backstory to how his character, Zharko Stepanowicz, rose to prominence in the first place.We begin in the past: an abduction of a rival's daughter during a gypsy family party. Zharko wanted this girl for his spoiled son, Groffo, who will later grow up to be a slightly miscast Judd Hirsch, over-reaching the antagonist role with stage play gusto. He's married to a perfectly cast Susan Sarandon as Rose, the true working class hero of the Gypsy family. Reading fortunes and using her young son to steal diamonds, Rose is the breadwinner of the mobile clan. Unfortunately, her only paychecks are the random beatings from her abusive, no-good husband.Throughout the narration by Eric Roberts playing Dave, the King's grandson and Rose's firstborn, are involving scenes with the young Dave (Matthew Labyorteaux) wreaking havoc around town, turning into dad's getaway driver and eventually becoming a thieving street urchin on his own. When he grows into Eric Roberts he's completely separate from the Gypsy life: an estranged prodigal grandson until Zharko takes him back into the fold.Eric Roberts, in his first theatrical role, is both intense and vulnerable as an aimless young man who is eventually, on his grandfather's deathbed, given the "King" moniker, thus becoming a target from his jealous dad. Groffo eventually plans to sell his daughter/Dave's sister (Brooke Shields) to another family, and for mother Rose, this is the last straw. She talks Dave into setting things right and the real excitement begins. Never quite sure if it's a time period melodrama or a violent exploitation style thriller, GYPSIES is always intriguing, especially as Dave, bearing the weight of his new title, has to fight his way out of a cursed life: surviving intense chases on foot or in speeding cars.

This movie was panned by critics, but it seems to have gained cult status among those who like 70s films.I liked it simply for its fascinating subject--Gypsies in modern day urban America.This is certainly not a definitive study of the culture, but it is exciting and most of the acting is solid. Roberts and Shields are incredibly beautiful, and the cinematography has that ripe, but overcast look you see in so many films released during the era. Stephane Grapelli's violin in the background adds weight to the glorious score.The biggest downside is Sterling Hayden's performance. His voice tends to rupture and bark in its heaviness; it lacks nuance. Also, I sometimes felt embarrassed for Sarandon. Though she was perfectly cast, she seems embarrassed herself at times; there is a brief scene where she has to dance, and her body language suggests she's thinking "Do I still have time to reconsider?" Another problem is the continuity. Where was the script supervisor? Shield's character was supposedly born in the 1940s, but when we see her again as a young teenager, it is clearly the late 1970s. You hear Disco in the background, see the long leather coats, and wait for John Travolta to make a grand entrance.But enough of my nit-picking. Maybe this is not the finest film, but it is indeed a *fun* film. The subject is intriguing, and the plot itself is good. What it lacks in directorial perfection, it makes up for in soul.

King Zharko Stepanowicz? Not bad for what it is...a lightweight version of THE GODFATHER with Sterling Hayden as a gypsy King who names grandson Eric Roberts his heir, thereby overlooking his son Judd Hirsch. Mayhem ensues. The movie is all over the place and the sloppy direction by Frank Pierson is not helped by a lot of hammy acting. Hayden and Shelley Winters lead the pack, which is no surprise, but to see the usually low-key Hirsch and Susan Sarandon ACTING up a storm as gypsies is really disheartening. Roberts, in his debut, is pretty good...he clearly hadn't developed the weirdly affected style that would sustain him through the likes of RUNAWAY TRAIN and THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE. This movie was supposed to make him the next John Travolta. It didn't. The supporting cast is a mixed bag including Michael V. Gazzo, Brooke Shields and Annie Potts. There's a very funny scene involving Sarandon trying to retrieve some diamonds she stole with the help of her little son!