Little Odessa (1994)
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61% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(3,949 ratings)
A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma, Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia, Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown, where he renews… More A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma, Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia, Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown, where he renews contact with his younger brother Reuben (Edward Furlong) and an old flame (Moira Kelly). But others do not welcome Joshua's return, particularly his harsh, estranged father (Maximillian Schell), who had disowned Joshua years before and currently attempts to keep him from visiting his seriously ill mother (Vanessa Redgrave). The pressure of these family crises combine with Joshua's deepening involvement in the local crime scene, ultimately triggering a bloody confrontation. First-time director James Gray creates a solemn, oppressive atmosphere that emphasizes the already grim nature of his story. The slow pace and familiar crime narrative were attacked by many viewers, contributing to a mixed critical reaction, but Little Odessa nevertheless won admiration for Gray's visual sense and the skilled performance by Roth in the unsympathetic lead role. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Gray
- Written By
- James Gray
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- May 19, 1995 Wide
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This dark, brooding family melodrama, set against the context of Brooklyn's Russian-Jewish mob, is well acted by Tim Roth, Maximillian Schell, Vanessa Redgrave, and Edward Furlong.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Desperately trying to say something complex, it only manages to look as if it said something that mattered.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tim Roth
as Joshua Shapira
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Edward Furlong
as Reuben Shapira
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Moira Kelly
as Alla Shustervich
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Vanessa Redgrave
as Irina Shapira
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Paul Guilfoyle
as Boris Volkoff
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Maximilian Schell
as Arkady Shapira
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Natalya Andreichenko
as Natasha
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David Vadim
as Sasha
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Mina Bern
as Grandma Tsilya
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Ron Brice
as Man with one leg
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David Ross
as Anatoly
- Maximillian Schell
