Boss of Bosses (1999)

76% of users liked it
(110 ratings)

Paul Castellano was once one of the most powerful and most feared figures in American organized crime. Starting his criminal career as a runner for numbers agents, Castellano became an associate of the Gambino crime family, and in 1976 was named the top man in New York's Mafia as he attempted to… More Paul Castellano was once one of the most powerful and most feared figures in American organized crime. Starting his criminal career as a runner for numbers agents, Castellano became an associate of the Gambino crime family, and in 1976 was named the top man in New York's Mafia as he attempted to merge the mob's illegal businesses with more legitimate money-making concerns. However, Castellano's hatred and distrust of rising mob boss John Gotti earned him some very powerful enemies, and in 1985 he was murdered by Gotti's associates. Boss of Bosses is a made-for-TV movie that chronicles the rise and fall of Castellano's career in organized crime. Chazz Palinteri stars as Castellano, with Patricia Mauceri as his wife Nina, Angela Alvarado Rose as his mistress Gloria, Sonny Marinelli as John Gotti, and Al Ruscio as Carlo Gambino. Boss of Bosses was first aired on the TNT cable network on June 3, 2001. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Al Ruscio, Angela Alvarado
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 4, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Oct 23, 2001
Studio: TNT Original

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeffrey M

As a lover of mob films, I was disappointed with Boss of Bosses, a lackluster biopic of Paul Castellano. It succumbs to conventional storytelling, with no real sense of energy or genuine character dynamics, simply scenes of exposition interspersed with back-story. Chazz Palminteri did… More
As a lover of mob films, I was disappointed with Boss of Bosses, a lackluster biopic of Paul Castellano. It succumbs to conventional storytelling, with no real sense of energy or genuine character dynamics, simply scenes of exposition interspersed with back-story. Chazz Palminteri did what he could, but ultimately the script didn't give him much to go off of. In the end, the viewer knows more about the life of Castellano, but receives no real insight into the man. The story line involving John Gotti was also horribly and dully handled, while it should have been the main narrative drive. 2/4 Stars
Todd S

Boss of Bosses is a little known made for TV movie. Despite the fact that it is a different cast and crew, it was intended as a prequel, to 1996's Gotti, telling the story of Paul Castellano. Castellano was known as the brains behind the mafia's 1980's re-emergence. He… More
Boss of Bosses is a little known made for TV movie. Despite the fact that it is a different cast and crew, it was intended as a prequel, to 1996's Gotti, telling the story of Paul Castellano. Castellano was known as the brains behind the mafia's 1980's re-emergence. He believed more in white collar crime, than in organized crime. Castellano was old school and a smart man, the film portrays him as such, but it also tries to play down the fact that he was a criminal who stole millions and hurt a lot of people. Chazz Palminteri was amazing, he was made for roles like this, and shines once again as a hardened, but loveable criminal. As for the film, it's apparently very accurate, and tells you a lot about a private man, that we generally don't hear much about. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The fact that it was made for TV and lacked the nudity and the F bombs, didn't really matter, it was still a very enjoyable film and an excellent companion to Gotti.