Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

in the 7th year of my 7th decade..i have a tendency to forget,more than i care to admit to.this movie fell into that category,but for some strange reason,it came to me last night..the most recent review was dated,,i think,,back in '05..but this film is truly a classic.why it has not appeared on the tube,is beyond me..all the earlier reviews mention the great acting,not only by the main leads,but every one in the film,truly outdoes themselves.i have a collection of over 200 VHS videos,and after seeing it in the local movie house when it first came out,i immediately added it to my collection..i intend to watch it this evening,,do yourself a favor,,get a copy from whoever,,and enjoy this film,ASAP,,why the AFI,has not given it the credit it deserves is beyond me..

The entire cast does a fine job.Especially Anthony LaPaglia and Lanie Kazan, But, this is one of Danny Aiello's best performances ever. What a nice treat this movie was for me.. I was born and raised in a neighborhood just like that. Its obvious to me that some people connected to this wonderful movie came from that kind of background also.(Not unlike Moonstruck, but with Aiello's character having a very different persona.) I live in the suburbs of New Jersey now. but, watching this movie brought back so many nice memories of how tight a neighborhood and the people that live in it can be. I am thankful for the education I received growing up there. It prepared me for real life..

1st watched 11/13/2006 - 5 out of 10(Dir-George Gallo): Interesting but somewhat bland dramedy about a winner of the first NY state lottery in 1976. The real winner, Frank Pesce, actually played a part in the movie as one of his brothers, was an associate producer, co-wrote the story and it was based on his book. So, he had a lot to do with this story being brought to the big screen. In a way, this kind of underminds the whole thing. The story is basically about how the lottery winner has a led a lucky life from day one, but he thinks that his luck has been turned around by a decision he made two hours before he won the money. It's told from his point of view as he is explaining to the cops that picked him up for vandelizing a church after the announcement was made that he won. His story has moments of comedy, heart-warming family moments, and of heartbreak as we journey thru some of his life up to this point. What doesn't work is the last hour where we're taken thru how the story becomes a positive one for him when he thinks it's negative. I realize this is a true story but it was difficult for me to buy into the conclusion. I consider this a negative on the filmmaker's part. I'm not doubting the story, I just don't think it was presented very well. If I get into any more details it would ruin it for those who want to watch the movie, so I won't. Anyway, what could have been a heartwarming human story just missed for me. OK entertainment, but that's all in my eyes.

One of the top five movies I've ever seen. The movie is mainly about the strained relationship between a father and his son. The "I AM NOT A F****N' LOSAH!!!" scene alone is worth it. A classic scene in a classic movie. This is great stuff!