Gotti (2018 film)

Mob boss John Gotti addresses the audience, reflecting on his lengthy reign of crime in New York City. In 1973, Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce, underboss to the Gambino crime family, tasks Gotti, a young associate, with killing gangster James McBratney, who is believed to have kidnapped and murdered boss Carlo Gambino's nephew Emanuel. After executing McBratney at a bar, Gotti is identified as his killer in 1974 and sentenced to 4 years at Green Haven Correctional Facility the following year; due to the Gambino family's influence, however, he is released on "medical furloughs" both for appointments with the family's dentist and for conducting further criminal business, including another hit. Paroled in July 1977 after 2 years, he reunites with his wife Victoria and children at their new residence in Howard Beach, Queens, and becomes a "made man", immediately climbing the Mafia hierarchy to become a capo.

By 1979, Gotti operates out of the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club with his childhood friend Angelo Ruggiero. His oldest son John "Junior" Gotti enters the New York Military Academy, but aspires to join the Mafia. Despite Dellacroce's counsel and the assurances of fellow capo Frank DeCicco, Gotti mistrusts the Lucchese crime family's top underboss, Anthony Casso. On March 18, 1980, his 12-year-old middle son Frank is accidentally struck and killed by a car driven by John Favara, his next-door neighbor. Favara later disappears on July 28, and the only witness to his abduction, diner owner Leon Papon, is intimidated into silence.

By 1985, the Gambino family has come under increased scrutiny, and Gotti becomes convinced that family boss Paul Castellano is too frail to lead effectively. Junior instigates a bar brawl that results in a man's death, infuriating his father. Federal authorities release embarrassing tapes, caught on an FBI wiretap of Gambino family meetings, that reveal Gotti's involvement in labor racketeering. He avoids conviction when the case goes to trial, but prosecutor Diane Giacalone, assistant attorney for the Eastern District of New York, discloses that his close associate, Wilfred "Willy Boy" Johnson, has been a confidential informant for the FBI since 1966; he agrees to give him a reprieve for betraying the family, but does not object when Johnson is eventually murdered on August 29, 1988.

Dying of brain cancer, Dellacroce informs Gotti of Castellano's plans to reorganize the Gambino family and disband Gotti's crew due to his insubordination and helps him secure the approval of the Five Families to eliminate Castellano, who fails to attend Dellacroce's funeral two days after his death on December 2. On December 16, Castellano and his bodyguard Thomas Bilotti are gunned down outside Sparks Steak House in midtown Manhattan, and Gotti takes over the Gambino family, becoming "the real-life Godfather". Rival boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante of the Genovese crime family plots with Casso to eliminate him, and on April 13, 1986, DeCicco is killed by a car bomb that Ruggiero believes was meant for Gotti. Casso survives an unsanctioned hit, tracking down and torturing the hitman, James Hydell, into revealing he was sent by Ruggiero. Gotti reconciles with Gigante before excommunicating Ruggiero from his crew to shield him from further retribution.

Escaping prosecution for the third time in 1987, Gotti is nicknamed "the Teflon Don" for being untouchable by the law. Junior is inducted into the Gambino family on Christmas Eve 1988 and marries his wife Kim in April 1990, while Ruggiero dies from terminal lung cancer in December 1989. On trial in 1992 for the fourth time, Gotti is charged with organizing Castellano's murder; underboss Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano testifies against him, and this time, Gotti is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Junior assumes control as rivals target the organization and several family members are killed, and is himself taken into custody on January 21, 1998. On February 5, 1999, he visits his now-ailing father at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, to inform him that he is considering a plea bargain.

After Gotti dies on June 10, 2002 from throat cancer, Junior chooses to abandon his criminal life for his own family's sake, and after five trials, he is finally released from prison in December 2009.

{{Cast listing|

• John Travolta as John Gotti
• Spencer Lofranco as John "Junior" Gotti
• Kelly Preston as Victoria DiGiorgio Gotti
• Pruitt Taylor Vince as Angelo Ruggiero
• William DeMeo as Sammy Gravano
• Leo Rossi as Bartholomew Boriello
• Chris Kerson as Wilfred Johnson
• Stacy Keach as Neil Dellacroce
• Chris Mulkey as Frank DeCicco
• Sal Rendino as Vincent Gigante
• Nico Bustamante as Frankie Gotti
• Victor Gojcaj as Father Murphy
• Michael Cipiti as Carlo Gambino
• Donald John Volpenhein as Paul Castellano

}}

In September 2010, Fiore Films announced that it had secured the rights from Gotti Jr. to produce a film about his life.{{Cite web | last=McNary | first=Dave | title=Fiore to bring John Gotti, Jr. to big screen | work=Variety | publisher=Penske Business Media | date=September 22, 2010 | url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/fiore-to-bring-john-gotti-jr-to-bigscreen-1118024465/ | access-date=June 18, 2018 | archive-date=November 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107192912/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118024465?refCatId=13 | url-status=live }} The film, tentatively titled Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father, was to be directed by Barry Levinson, who eventually left the project. Nick Cassavetes and Joe Johnston were then also attached at different points to direct, as were Al Pacino, Lindsay Lohan, and Ben Foster to star in various roles. Joe Pesci was cast as Angelo Ruggiero early in development and gained 30 pounds in order to properly portray him. After having his salary cut and being recast as Lucchese underboss Anthony Casso, he sued Fiore Films for $3 million; the case was settled out of court.{{cite web |last1=Powers |first1=Lindsay |title=Joe Pesci Sues 'Gotti' Producers for $3 Million |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/joe-pesci-sues-gotti-producers-3-million-216533 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=June 17, 2018 |date=June 28, 2011 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002749/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/joe-pesci-sues-gotti-producers-3-million-216533 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Joe Pesci settles dispute over "Gotti" film payday |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-pesci-settles-dispute-over-gotti-film-payday/ |access-date=June 17, 2018 |agency=Associated Press |work=CBS News |publisher=CBS |author=CBSNews.com |date=February 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126194535/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-pesci-settles-dispute-over-gotti-film-payday/ |url-status=live }} Chazz Palminteri, who had played Paul Castellano in the TNT made-for-TV film Boss of Bosses, was also initially cast to reprise Gotti's predecessor.{{cite web |last1=Jagernauth |first1=Kevin |title=Chazz Palminteri Will Play Mafia Boss Paul Castellano (Again) In 'Gotti: In The Shadow Of My Father' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/08/chazz-palminteri-will-play-mafia-boss-paul-castellano-again-in-gotti-in-the-shadow-of-my-father-116734/ |website=IndieWire |publisher=Penske Business Media |access-date=June 17, 2018 |date=August 24, 2011 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002850/http://www.indiewire.com/2011/08/chazz-palminteri-will-play-mafia-boss-paul-castellano-again-in-gotti-in-the-shadow-of-my-father-116734/ |url-status=live }}

On September 8, 2015, it was announced that the project was moving forward with Kevin Connolly as director.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='Gotti' Mob Movie Back On; Kevin Connolly Directing John Travolta, Lionsgate Premiere Releasing: Toronto|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/john-gotti-john-travolta-movie-kevin-connolly-directing-lionsgate-1201517699/|access-date=September 10, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=September 8, 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205164111/https://deadline.com/2015/09/john-gotti-john-travolta-movie-kevin-connolly-directing-lionsgate-1201517699/|url-status=live}} Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, Fiore Films and Herrick Entertainment would be financing the film, with Lionsgate Premiere handling the domestic distribution rights.

On July 27, 2016, the complete cast for the film was announced. It included Kelly Preston as Gotti's wife Victoria; Stacy Keach as Aniello Dellacroce, the underboss of the Gambino crime family who mentored Gotti; Pruitt Taylor Vince as Angelo Ruggiero, a deferential friend of Gotti; Spencer Lofranco as John Gotti Jr., Gotti's eldest son; William DeMeo as Sammy Gravano, Gotti's right-hand man who later became an FBI informant and helped them in bringing down Gotti; co-writer Leo Rossi as Bartholomew "Bobby" Boriello, Gotti's enforcer; Victor Gojcaj as Father Murphy, with Tyler Jon Olson and Megan Leonard.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='The Life And Death Of John Gotti' Cast Locked|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/the-life-and-death-of-john-gotti-kevin-connolly-john-travolta-1201793579/|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=July 27, 2016}}

Principal photography on the film began in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 25, 2016, with locations including Springfield Township. The locations were staged to resemble the setting of the film, New York City.{{cite news|last1=Mains|first1=Brian|title='The Life and Death of John Gotti' stars, director spotted in Cincinnati|url=http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/movies/the-life-and-death-of-john-gotti-stars-director-spotted-in-cincinnati|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=WCPO|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|date=July 25, 2016|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926102054/http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/movies/the-life-and-death-of-john-gotti-stars-director-spotted-in-cincinnati|url-status=live}} Filming also took place on Jonfred Court in Finneytown, and Indian Hill.{{cite news|last1=Motsinger|first1=Carol|last2=Steigerwald|first2=Shauna|last3=Milam|first3=Brett|title=John Travolta filming 'Gotti' movie in Finneytown|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/movies/2016/07/13/john-travolta-film-gotti-movie-here/86944752/|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=July 28, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Guaderrama|first1=Robert|title=Gotti movie to film in Indian Hill Tuesday|url=http://www.fox19.com/story/32595020/gotti-movie-filming-tuesday-in-indian-hill|access-date=September 11, 2016|work=Fox19|publisher=Raycom Media|date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=September 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912174236/http://www.fox19.com/story/32595020/gotti-movie-filming-tuesday-in-indian-hill|url-status=live}} Filming was also done at Butler County Jail.{{cite news|last1=Pack|first1=Lauren|title=John Travolta mob movie filming scenes in Butler County|url=http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/john-travolta-mob-movie-filming-scenes-in-butler-c/nsGwL/|access-date=September 11, 2016|work=Journal-News|publisher=Cox Media Group|date=August 16, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923012518/http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/john-travolta-mob-movie-filming-scenes-in-butler-c/nsGwL/|url-status=dead}}

The film's shooting was previously scheduled to take place in New York City, because of its setting there, but it was relocated to Cincinnati. One reason to relocate was Ohio's revised Motion Picture Tax Credit to benefit films' creators.{{cite news|last1=Fears|first1=Danika|title=Biopic on mob boss John Gotti won't be filming in New York City|url=https://nypost.com/2016/07/14/biopic-on-mob-boss-john-gotti-wont-be-filming-in-new-york-city/|access-date=September 8, 2016|work=New York Post|publisher=NYP Holdings|date=July 14, 2016|archive-date=September 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915153022/http://nypost.com/2016/07/14/biopic-on-mob-boss-john-gotti-wont-be-filming-in-new-york-city/|url-status=live}} Filming for some scenes took place in Brooklyn on February 21, 2017, which concluded principal photography.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/movies/john-travolta-john-gotti-pics/|title=John Travolta transforms into John Gotti|first=Chloe|last=Melas|publisher=CNN|work=CNN Entertainment|date=February 23, 2017|access-date=November 13, 2017|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040828/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/movies/john-travolta-john-gotti-pics/|url-status=live}}

The film was originally set to be released in a limited release and through video on demand on December 15, 2017, through Lionsgate Premiere. Producers began seeking a new distributor in order for the film to receive a wide theatrical release, as opposed to the original release it was initially intended to have, with Lionsgate selling the film back to the producers and studio.{{cite web|url = https://screenrant.com/gotti-john-travolta-biopic-dropped-lionsgate-producers/|title = Gotti: John Travolta Biopic Dropped by Lionsgate at Producers' Request|last = Kennedy|first = Michael|date = December 6, 2017|website = Screen Rant|access-date = December 6, 2017|archive-date = December 7, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171207014413/https://screenrant.com/gotti-john-travolta-biopic-dropped-lionsgate-producers/|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = https://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/lionsgate-drops-john-travolta-gotti-1201904264|title = Lionsgate Drops John Travolta-Starring 'Gotti' Film Ten Days Before Release — Report|last = Erbland|first = Kate|date = December 5, 2017|website = IndieWire|publisher = Penske Business Media|access-date = December 5, 2017|archive-date = December 6, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171206004610/http://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/lionsgate-drops-john-travolta-gotti-1201904264/|url-status = live}} On March 12, 2018, Connolly announced that the film would be released on June 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/john-travolta-gotti-new-release-date-kevin-connolly-1202336105/|title=Kevin Connolly Announces Summer Release Date For John Travolta 'Gotti' Pic|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=March 12, 2018|publisher=Penske Business Media|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614144258/https://deadline.com/2018/03/john-travolta-gotti-new-release-date-kevin-connolly-1202336105/|url-status=dead}} On April 12, 2018, it was announced Vertical Entertainment was the film's new distributor.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/gotti-movie-release-date-vertical-entertainment-deal-1202363009/|title='Gotti' Sets Deal With Vertical Entertainment for June Release|publisher=Penske Business Media|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 12, 2018|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612191551/https://deadline.com/2018/04/gotti-movie-release-date-vertical-entertainment-deal-1202363009/|url-status=live}}

On April 25, 2018, it was announced that MoviePass Ventures, a subsidiary of MoviePass, acquired an equity stake in the film and will participate in the revenue generated from the film.{{Cite news|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180425006023/en/MoviePass-Ventures-Acquires-Stake-Gotti-Movie|title=MoviePass Ventures Acquires Stake in Gotti Movie|access-date=June 14, 2018|work=BusinessWire|publisher=Berkshire Hathaway|date=April 25, 2018|author=Pollack PR Marketing Group|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121523/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180425006023/en/MoviePass-Ventures-Acquires-Stake-Gotti-Movie|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.hmny.com/press-release/2018/4/25/moviepass-ventures-acquires-stake-in-gotti-movie|title=MoviePass Ventures Acquires Stake in Gotti Movie|publisher=Helios and Matheson Analytics|access-date=June 14, 2018|date=April 25, 2018|author=Pollack PR Marketing Group|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614144152/https://www.hmny.com/press-release/2018/4/25/moviepass-ventures-acquires-stake-in-gotti-movie|url-status=usurped}}

The film premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pitbull-makes-film-composing-debut-john-travoltas-gotti-1108428|title=Pitbull Makes Film Composing Debut With John Travolta's 'Gotti' (Exclusive)|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=June 14, 2018|date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041227/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pitbull-makes-film-composing-debut-john-travoltas-gotti-1108428|url-status=live}}

Gotti grossed $4.3 million in the United States, and $1.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $6.1 million, against a production budget of $10 million.{{cite web |url=https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/Gotti-(2018)#tab=summary |title=Gotti (2018) |work=The Numbers |access-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203153209/https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/Gotti-(2018)#tab=summary |url-status=live }}

Gotti began its limited release in 503 theaters and was projected to make $1–2 million in its opening weekend. It made $105,000 from Thursday night previews at 350 theaters and a total of $1.7 million in its opening weekend, finishing 12th.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/incredibles-2-tag-superfly-weekend-box-office-1202411262/ |title='Incredibles 2' Even Stronger As Pixar Pic Soars To Amazing $181M – Early Sunday Update |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=June 17, 2018 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618024537/https://deadline.com/2018/06/incredibles-2-tag-superfly-weekend-box-office-1202411262/ |url-status=live }} According to their own reports, MoviePass accounted for 40% of tickets sold, leading one independent studio head to tell Deadline Hollywood: "It used to be in distribution, we'd all gossip whether a studio was buying tickets to their own movie to goose their opening. But in the case of MoviePass, there's no secret: They're literally buying the tickets to their own movie!"{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/moviepass-gotti-opening-rotten-tomatoes-0-1202412227/ |title=MoviePass Reps 40% Of 'Gotti's $1.67M Opening As Critics Slaughter John Travolta Mob Pic |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=June 17, 2018 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823035934/https://deadline.com/2018/06/moviepass-gotti-opening-rotten-tomatoes-0-1202412227/ |url-status=live }} In its second weekend the film dropped 53% and made $812,000, finishing 12th.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-opening-weekend-box-office-1202415529/|title='Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' With $150M Reps Uni's 2nd Highest Opening Ever – Sunday|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 24, 2018|access-date=June 24, 2018|publisher=Penske Business Media|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817075640/https://deadline.com/2018/06/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-opening-weekend-box-office-1202415529/|url-status=live}}

Gotti was not screened in advance for critics,{{cite magazine |last1=Nashawaty |first1=Chris |title=A very good John Travolta can't save the very not-good Gotti: EW review |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/06/15/gotti-movie-review/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 19, 2018 |date=June 15, 2018 |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619065642/http://ew.com/movies/2018/06/15/gotti-movie-review/ |url-status=live }} but the Cannes premiere was attended by reviewers from IndieWire and The Hollywood Reporter, who both gave the film negative reviews.{{cite news |last1=Kaufman |first1=Amy |title=John Travolta's 'Gotti' had a rocky road to the Cannes Film Festival and the challenges aren't over yet |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-cannes-john-travolta-gotti-grease-20180518-story.html |access-date=June 19, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 18, 2018 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152233/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-cannes-john-travolta-gotti-grease-20180518-story.html |url-status=live }} On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an List of films with a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus simply reads, "Fuhgeddaboudit".{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gotti_2018|title=Gotti (2018)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106203802/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gotti_2018|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 24 out of 100, based on reviews from 16 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/gotti |title=Gotti Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225003420/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/gotti |url-status=live }}

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a negative review, writing: "it's not only that the film is pretty terrible: poorly written, devoid of tension, ridiculous in spots and just plain dull in others. But the fact that it mostly portrays John Gotti as a loving family man and altogether likable guy, and his son John Gotti Jr. as a victim of government persecution, may be a first in the history of the genre."{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gotti-review-1112262|title='Gotti': Film Review - Cannes 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 15, 2018|date=June 14, 2018|author=Jordan Mintzer|language=en|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516041619/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gotti-review-1112262|url-status=live}} The New York Post{{'}}s Johnny Oleksinski called the film "the worst mob movie of all-time" and wrote, "the long-awaited biopic about the Gambino crime boss' rise from made man to top dog, took four directors, 44 producers and eight years to make. It shows. The finished product belongs in a cement bucket at the bottom of the river."{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/gotti-john-travolta-rotten-tomatoes-score-0-1202412016/ |title=Gotti' Gets Whacked With 0% Rotten Tomatoes Score: A Deeper Look |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=June 16, 2018 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616213323/https://deadline.com/2018/06/gotti-john-travolta-rotten-tomatoes-score-0-1202412016/ |url-status=live }} Writing for Rolling Stone, Peter Travers gave the film one out of four stars and said, "Insane testimonials from Gotti supporters at the end are as close as this [film] will ever get to good reviews."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/gotti-review-mobster-biopic-w521422|title='Gotti' Review: A Mobster Biopic That Deserves to Get Whacked|last=Travers|first=Peter|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=June 18, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165525/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/gotti-review-mobster-biopic-w521422|url-status=dead}}

Nick Schager, writing for The Daily Beast, said that the film "validates the oft-heard criticism that mob movies invariably glorify their subjects", adding: "The film does its best to make sure Gotti comes off as a noble and ruthless warrior-leader who ... was good for the community because he only killed his own and kept a lid on neighborhood crime." He concluded: {{" '}}Listen to me, and listen to me good. You never gonna see another guy like me if you live to be five thousand,' Travolta's Teflon Don boasts in the final scene. With any luck, we'll never see another mob-movie misfire like this either."{{Cite news|last=Schager|first=Nick|date=December 24, 2018|title=The Most Hilariously Bad Movie of the Year|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-travoltas-gotti-the-most-hilariously-bad-movie-of-the-year|access-date=August 15, 2021|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815064014/https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-travoltas-gotti-the-most-hilariously-bad-movie-of-the-year|url-status=live}}

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times was more positive in his review of the film, describing it as "an entertaining and well-acted but uneven B-movie."{{Cite web|last=Roeper|first=Richard|date=June 14, 2018|title='Gotti' ranks low in the mob-movie hierarchy|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/6/14/18380363/gotti-ranks-low-in-the-mob-movie-hierarchy|access-date=August 15, 2021|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815064014/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/6/14/18380363/gotti-ranks-low-in-the-mob-movie-hierarchy|url-status=live}}

Observers were quick to note a large disparity on Rotten Tomatoes, between the audience approval score of 80% and the 0% critics' score during the film's opening weekend.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gotti-battles-critics-as-rotten-tomatoes-audience-score-is-questioned-1121711 |title=As 'Gotti' Battles Critics, Its Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Draws Questions |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group |access-date=June 20, 2018 |date=June 19, 2018 |first=Gregg |last=Kilday |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620062240/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gotti-battles-critics-as-rotten-tomatoes-audience-score-is-questioned-1121711 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://mashable.com/2018/06/19/gotti-fake-reviews/#ytyR6QqUsqqg |title='Gotti' appears to be posting fake positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes |last=Beck |first=Kellen |website=Mashable |access-date=June 20, 2018 |date=June 19, 2018 |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620074244/https://mashable.com/2018/06/19/gotti-fake-reviews/#ytyR6QqUsqqg |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/gotti-positive-rotten-tomatoes-audience-score-raises-suspicions-2018-6 |title=The positive Rotten Tomatoes audience score for 'Gotti' has raised suspicions after the movie's thrashing by critics |website=Business Insider |access-date=June 20, 2018 |first=Travis |last=Clark |publisher=Insider |date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619235506/http://www.businessinsider.com/gotti-positive-rotten-tomatoes-audience-score-raises-suspicions-2018-6 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/06/19/gotti-slams-movie-critics/ |title='Gotti' fires back at movie critics after terrible reviews: 'A troll behind a keyboard' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 20, 2018 |first=James |last=Hibbard |date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619203611/http://ew.com/movies/2018/06/19/gotti-slams-movie-critics/ |url-status=live }}}} The audience score has since dropped 36 points to a score of 44%.

On June 19, Dan Murrell of Screen Junkies noted that the disparity "made no sense" and suspected vote manipulation on behalf of the studio.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/06/something-suspicious-is-happening-with-rotten-toma.html |title=Something Suspicious Is Happening With Rotten Tomatoes User Reviews for Gotti |website=Paste |access-date=June 20, 2018 |date=June 19, 2018 |first=Jim |last=Vorel |publisher=Paste Media Group}} Accusations against the production studio and marketing team increased after the release of a marketing push suspected to be trying to hit back at the critics. The campaign proclaimed to consumers to ignore the "trolls behind a keyboard", and "Audiences loved Gotti but critics don't want you to see it ... The question is why??? Trust the people and see it for yourself!"{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:}} Observers also noted the abnormally high number of reviews, 7000, compared to other films that did better at the box office that weekend, such as Incredibles 2 which logged 7600 reviews and grossed 105 times more than Gotti.

Rotten Tomatoes staff issued a statement stating they didn't find any evidence of tampering and that "All of the ratings and reviews were left by active accounts." In June 2018, it was noted that 32 of the 54 written reviews were found to be from first-time reviewers on the site, who had also only left a review for Gotti itself, and 45 of the accounts were created the same month. Many of the accounts also wrote a review for the praised American Animals, which along with Gotti are the only films to be owned by MoviePass through its company MoviePass Ventures, which was responsible for 40% of tickets sold. Jim Vorel of Paste suggested this was done to try to prop up MoviePass's "unlimited movies" business model.

• List of films with a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

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• {{IMDb title|1801552}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|gotti_2018}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gotti}}

Category:2018 films

Category:2018 biographical drama films

Category:2018 crime drama films

Category:American biographical drama films

Category:American crime drama films

Category:Biographical films about American gangsters

Category:Cultural depictions of John Gotti

Category:Cultural depictions of Carlo Gambino

Category:Cultural depictions of Paul Castellano

Category:Cultural depictions of Vincent Gigante

Category:MoviePass Films films

Category:Films directed by Kevin Connolly

Category:Films produced by Randall Emmett

Category:Films set in New York City

Category:Films shot in Ohio

Category:Crime drama films based on actual events

Category:Films about the American Mafia

Category:Films about the Gambino crime family

Category:Films with screenplays by Lem Dobbs

Category:Cultural depictions of the Mafia

Category:Biographical films about criminals

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s American films

Category:English-language biographical drama films

Category:English-language crime drama films