Southie (1998)

Not able to shake its Low-Budget roots, this good try, once again, at tough Neighborhood Street Stuff, is a somewhat confusing rival Gang Melodrama with strong Characters in front of a meandering Script.The confusing Story about the troubled financing of an After Hours Club bogs down this otherwise engaging Movie that, in its sincerity, can't seem to find the right Melody. It has some episodic believability with Family interactions on a personal level.But the problem here is definition. Aside from the strong elements of interpersonal relationships among Siblings and the Home Unit, this gets lost in the Mob stuff where it is difficult at times to tell who is with who and what all the fuss is about.Worth a watch for some of its intensity and works best in the more quiet introspective moments, it just meanders and its lack of clarity confuses and can be too heavy, at times, with all the fisticuffs and the pushing and shoving going over the top to the detriment of the Drama.

The plot of the movie was great. The cast was excellent. Donnie Wahlberg played a great part, Rose McGowan played an excellent alcoholic, and Anne Meara played a great mother under stress. I recommend everyone to see this movie, the great acting makes the situations seem real.10/10

I was completely amazed by Southie. I was expecting a movie where Donnie Wahlberg was the center of attention and the action focused around drawn out, bloody battles. To my surprise it wasn't. The story line was interesting and the cast seemed like they were all meant to be together. If you can get past the "New Kids on the Block" Donnie Wahlberg mentality, Southie is an excellent movie worthy of the award it has won and many more.

Southie is the intense story of a man's fight to do what he believes is right, despite the bad hand he has been dealt. From the moment Danny Quinn (Donnie Wahlberg) returns to his old South Boston neighborhood, you feel the fear, joy and over all conflict within him. Danny returns to help the family,that so desperately needs him, which in turn forces him to face the troubles he left behind so long ago.This film is so emotionally intense you find yourself not just watching it,but feeling it. All the characters are completely believable and very well executed. Southie, however emotional, is not at all sappy or sweet, it is in a word, REAL. You come away with the sense of knowing what South Boston is really like and completely relating to the joys and pain felt by the characters.All in all, I love this film. I was so happy with it I walked out of the theater ready to see it again. It is a very well done. My hats off to all involved with this film, it is obvious you all pulled you weight and you can definitely see the results. Good Job. If you have the chance to catch this film, Do it! It is an absolute must see!