Lansky (1999)

"Lansky" serves as a riveting retrospective of the life and times of Meyer Lansky, a formidable figure in the annals of organized crime in America. This cinematic journey unravels the story of a young boy from the Jewish ghettos who, driven by his sharp intellect, ventures into the shadowy world of crime. As an elderly man, he roams the globe, a fugitive from U.S justice, seeking a country willing to harbor him while reflecting on the life he once led. Arriving in the U.S at the tender age of eight, Lansky quickly realizes the lucrative potential of gambling. Together with his loyal friend, Ben Siegel, they start small, operating out of back alley games and a humble gambling den. But the stakes are high, and ambition knows no bounds. Joined by their new ally, Charles Luciano, they orchestrate the downfall of two reigning crime bosses, consequently establishing their reign over the underworld. Lansky, the self-proclaimed gambler, masterminds the transformation of the U.S mafia into a formidable national crime organization. His influence spreads like shadowed tendrils, reaching as far as Havana, where he becomes the driving force behind its gambling operations. Pressed for comment on the bloodshed his reign incited, he remains silent, allowing the film to delve deeper into the complex interplay of personalities and relationships rather than the violent acts and corrupt deeds themselves. In his twilight years, Lansky attempts to find sanctuary in Israel, only to be sent back to face the music in the U.S. "Lansky" is a compelling examination of a man torn between the worlds of crime and normalcy, a man who viewed himself as simply 'a gambler', much like any other American. The film offers an intimate portrait of a man who dared to shape his destiny amidst the dark alleys of organized crime.

Lansky is a crime movie featuring Richard Dreyfuss.

It is possible to buy Lansky on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.