CONFESSIONS OF A POLICE CAPTAIN: Franco's Comfort Zone

CONFESSIONS OF A POLICE CAPTAIN (Blu-ray)

1971 / 106 min

Radiance Films

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Badge😺

While watching Confessions of a Police Captain (for the first time, by the way), it occurred to me that I’ve hardly seen Franco Nero in anything that wasn’t a western or crime film. Not that he hasn’t done other stuff, and maybe it says more about me than his range as an actor, but the fact remains that those two genres make-up a significant portion of his lengthy filmography.

Perhaps those things are his comfort zone, which suits me fine because he’s generally really good in them, even if they aren’t always deserving of his efforts. This one is, though. Not too far removed from the poliziotteschi subgenre that was popular in Italy at the time, Confessions of a Police Captain is a tough, fast-moving thriller packed with vicious mobsters, questionable cops and political corruption. 

In the middle of it all is dedicated district attorney Traini (Nero), brought in the investigate the attempted murder of powerful industrialist Fernando Lomunno (Luciano Catenacci) at the hands of Michele Li Puma (Adolfo Lastretti), just sprung from an insane asylum by police captain Bonavia (Martin Balsam). Almost immediately, Traini suspects Bonavia of orchestrating the attack. For good reason, it turns out. Lomunno is also a vicious mob boss Bonavia has been trying to put away for years.

"Forget it, Traini...it's my turn to drive."

The adversarial relationship between this incorruptible DA and ethically-ambiguous cop is the crux of the story, which also includes harrowing flashbacks revealing both Li Puma’s and Bonavia’s motives for wanting to see Lomunno dead. What makes all this especially interesting is that Bonavia’s actions may not earn our approval (or Traini’s), but he certainly earns our empathy. He’s the most intriguing, complex and fatalistic character in the film, who suspects things won’t end well for him, but is compelled to accomplish what corrupt judges refuse to.

Balsam, who was doing a lot of Italian thrillers at the time, also delivers the film’s best performance (though I missed his distinctive voice). Nero is his usual solid self in a role that's well within his comfort zone…and his third collaboration with director Damiano Damiani. Elsewhere, the intricate plot, action and occasionally cruel violence keep things lively. A relative obscurity on this side of the pond, Confessions of a Police Captain is an entertaining crime film worth seeking out.

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

INTERVIEWS - New individual interviews with actor Franco Nero, actor Michele Gammino and editor Antonio Siciliano.

ENGLISH AND ITALIAN VERSIONS