Capone (2020)

Capone (2020)

Capone is a 2020 American biographical crime drama film directed by Josh Trank, who also wrote and edited the screenplay. The film stars Tom Hardy in the titular role of Al Capone, one of the most infamous figures in American criminal history. Set during the final years of Capone’s life, the film provides a unique and often unsettling portrayal of the once-powerful gangster’s decline into mental and physical deterioration.

The film begins in the early 1940s, a time when Al Capone (Tom Hardy) is no longer the feared crime boss who ran a vast criminal empire during Prohibition. After serving time in prison for tax evasion, Capone is released and sent to live in a luxurious mansion in Florida, where he is cared for by his wife Mae Capone (Linda Cardellini) and his associates. However, the Capone we meet in Capone is far from the sharp, calculating criminal mastermind of his past. Now in his late 40s, Capone is suffering from the early stages of syphilis, which has severely affected his mental faculties. The disease, coupled with the trauma of his criminal life, has left him struggling with memory loss, hallucinations, and paranoia.

Despite his diminished state, Capone still holds on to fragments of his former self. He is haunted by memories of his violent past and the people he wronged. The film delves into his fractured mind, portraying his disorienting and often surreal experiences as he tries to recall details of his fortune and his criminal empire. At the same time, Capone’s family and close associates are dealing with the fallout of his past actions. They are concerned not just with his health, but also with the possibility that Capone might still have knowledge of hidden money or assets, which could bring danger from those seeking to find it.