Bloodbrothers (1978 film)

Bloodbrothers is a 1978 coming-of-age film directed by Robert Mulligan. It stars Richard Gere, Paul Sorvino, Tony Lo Bianco and Marilu Henner and was based on the novel of the same title by Richard Price. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Plot
Set in a working-class Bronx community, it tells the story of the De Coco family, a family of construction workers. Thomas is the head of the family with two sons, but one, Stony (Richard Gere) wants to be a teacher, not a construction worker. Then he accepts a job as a recreational assistant at a children's ward. Immediately, bitter divisions begin to surface.

Cast

 * Paul Sorvino as Louis "Chubby" De Coco
 * Tony Lo Bianco as Tommy De Coco
 * Richard Gere as Thomas "Stony" De Coco
 * Lelia Goldoni as Marie De Coco
 * Yvonne Wilder as Phyllis De Coco
 * Marilu Henner as Annette
 * Kenneth McMillan as Banion
 * Floyd Levine as Dr. Harris
 * Kim Milford as Butler
 * Michael Hershewe as Albert "Tiger" De Coco
 * Lila Teigh as Jackie's Mother
 * Kristine DeBell as Cheri
 * Robert Englund as Mott
 * Gloria LeRoy as Sylvia
 * Damu King as Chili Mac
 * Paulene Myers as Mrs. Pitt
 * Danny Aiello as Artie
 * Raymond Singer as Jackie
 * Bruce French as Paulie
 * Peter Iacangelo as Malfie
 * Eddie Jones as Blackie
 * E. Brian Dean as Brian (credited as Brian Dean)
 * Randy Jurgensen as Randy
 * Ron McLarty as Mac
 * David Berman as Dave
 * Robert Costanzo as Vic (credited as Bob Costanzo)
 * Edwin Owens as Stan (credited as Ed Owens)
 * Tom Signorelli as Sig
 * Kennedy Gordy as Tyrone
 * Jeffrey Jacquet as Derek

Response
The movie opened to positive reviews, and though it would be forgotten about in later years, it was liked for the ensemble cast. As one of the De Coco sons, Richard Gere was especially praised. The film also introduced Marilu Henner, who would later star on the TV show Taxi.

Ryan McDonald of Shameless Self Expression said: "This 1978 Robert Mulligan tale about a seriously dysfunctional Italian-American family is too broadly played, stereotyped, and overly familiar... This is all very shouty and somewhat overbearing stuff for a story that isn’t all that memorable to begin with. ... Tony Lo Bianco and especially an unrestrained Lelia Goldoni are the worst offenders. Lo Bianco, often typecast as (an) Italian-American hood, gives us a stereotype of Italian-American machismo, misogyny, occasional brutality, and just general hamminess. Occasionally there seems to be a real character in there, but largely it’s just too much of a ‘performance’... But at least he has his moments, which cannot be said for the ghastly Goldoni, whose shrieking, mugging, wailing ... coupled with a pathetic, basically psychotic character derail the film.  ... The most enjoyable work comes from Paul Sorvino, Marilu Henner, and Kenneth McMillan..."

Awards

 * Nominee Best Adapted Screenplay - Academy Awards (Walter Newman)
 * Nominee Best Adapted Screenplay - Writers Guild of America (Walter Newman)