

Based on the true story of Jack DiNorscio, a mobster who defended himself in court for what would be the longest mafia trial in U.S. history.
Acting
Diesel's genuinely unhinged comic timing.
Direction
Lumet's 50+ years of craft, relaxed and sly.
Writing
Real trial transcripts, somehow funnier than fiction.

Director
Sidney Lumet
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Jackie DiNorscio died during filming; Lumet kept his chaotic energy as tribute.
This was Lumet's final film—after 12 Angry Men, Network, and Dog Day Afternoon, he chose to end on a mobster mocking the justice system he spent decades interrogating.