10th & Wolf

Y

Frank Scheck
NEW YORK -- A routine mob thriller receiving a token theatrical release in several cities before next month's video release, "10th & Wolf" mainly is notable for being the directorial debut of Oscar-winning "Crash" co-screenwriter Bobby Moresco.

While a first-rate cast has been assembled for this film, loosely based on the Donnie Brasco undercover case, their efforts are largely wasted in situations and characterizations that have the unavoidable air of cliche.

James Marsden plays the central role of Tommy, a soldier in the first Gulf War who goes a little berserk when he realizes that our military is pulling out while leaving Saddam Hussein in power. After serving time in the brig, he returns home to Philadelphia, only to be pressured by a venal FBI agent (Brian Dennehy) into going undercover for the mob. As reward, he, his cousin Joey (Giovanni Ribisi), and his younger brother Vincent (Brad Renfro), the latter two of whom have gotten involved in shady business, will be granted immunity.

Tommy's subsequent entanglements with family, both of the mob and personal variety, form the crux of the plot. Along the way, he also finds time to get romantically involved with a beautiful widowed bartender (Piper Perabo) with an asthmatic son.

As might be expected, violent incidents abound in this episodic melodrama, which also features a good supporting turn from Lesley Ann Warren as Tommy's anguished aunt, and blink-and-you'll-miss-'em cameos by Dennis Hopper, Tommy Lee and Val Kilmer.

While the actors lend emotional intensity to their characterizations -- Marsden uses his brooding quality to good effect and Ribisi chews the scenery in entertaining fashion as the hotheaded Joey -- their efforts are undercut by the overly familiar themes and plot elements.