Contraband, also known as The Smuggler, is a 1980 Italian crime film directed by Lucio Fulci. The movie stars Fabio Testi and Marcel Bozzuffi as two smugglers who are trying to pull off a heist in New York City. The film follows the story of Luca Di Angelo (Fabio Testi), a former smuggler who has left his life of crime behind and is now living a quiet and peaceful life with his wife and two children. However, when his brother-in-law, played by Marcel Bozzuffi, runs into trouble with a vicious gangster named Alphonse Barley (Ivan Rassimov), Luca finds himself pulled back into the world of smuggling.
Barley has stolen a large quantity of drugs from the Italian mafia and stashed them in a shipping container in New York City. He wants Di Angelo and his brother-in-law to transport the drugs out of the country, but they soon discover that the container is being heavily guarded by the police.
Determined to complete the job and protect his family from retaliatory measures by the mafia, Di Angelo sets out to find a way to smuggle the drugs out of the country without being caught by the police or the mob.
The tension in the film is palpable as Luca and his brother-in-law navigate the underground smuggling world, avoiding the law and rival gangsters. The character development is strong, with a solid backstory for each of the main characters, and the film's pacing keeps the viewer engaged throughout.
The movie is set against the gritty and dark streets of New York City, with a noir-esque atmosphere adding to the sense of danger and urgency. The use of locations such as Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood and the New York waterfront add an authentic feel to the movie's environment.
One of the standout features of the film is the incredible car chase scene that takes place through the streets of New York City. The scene is long and intense, with Luca and his brother-in-law racing through the city pursued by the police in a high-speed chase that would give any modern-day action movie a run for its money.
The film's score is haunting and atmospheric, with a mix of electronic and acoustic elements that perfectly complement the film's dark and moody tone. The cinematography is sharp and gritty, further adding to the film's noir feel.
Overall, Contraband is a tense and exciting crime thriller with strong performances, excellent direction, and action-packed sequences. The story is well-crafted and paced, with an intense atmosphere and a sense of urgency that keeps the viewer engaged from start to finish. The film is a must-see for fans of the crime genre and is a great example of the Italian crime thriller genre that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
