Movie Overview
Capone is a 2020 biographical crime drama available to watch online on Netflix, offering a grim look at the final days of America's most infamous gangster. Directed by Josh Trank, the film stars Tom Hardy in a visceral portrayal of Al Capone, also known as "Fonzo." The story picks up after the notorious bootlegger serves a ten-year prison sentence for tax evasion. Now living in retirement at his palatial Florida estate, a 47-year-old Capone is suffering from advanced neurosyphilis and dementia. As his mental faculties rapidly decline, the government closes in, hoping he will finally reveal the hidden fortune he allegedly stashed away before his incarceration.
The cast features powerful supporting performances from Linda Cardellini as Capone’s long-suffering wife, Mae, and Matt Dillon as his trusted associate, Johnny. The narrative focuses less on the glamour of the Prohibition era and more on the grotesque reality of Capone’s decay, blurring the lines between his violent past and his crumbling present. Trank utilizes a hallucinatory visual style to reflect the protagonist’s deteriorating mind, creating a tone that is both unsettling and tragic. While the film departs from traditional gangster tropes, it provides a unique character study focused on physical and psychological deterioration.
Upon its release, Capone received mixed reviews from critics and holds a low rating on IMDb and a score of 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. While Hardy's committed performance was noted by some, many critics found the narrative unfocused. Despite the lukewarm critical reception, fans of Tom Hardy or dark, character-driven biopics may find it worth watching. If you are looking to stream a gritty drama that explores the personal cost of a life of crime, you should watch Capone on Netflix to witness this unconventional portrayal of a criminal icon.
