"Mixed by Erry" Review

The film revolves around a young DJ and his two brothers who inadvertently transform into influential music producers, attracting the attention of law enforcement due to their involvement in smuggling homemade mixtapes during 1980s Naples.

In 1991, we found ourselves inside a jail where a crowd gathered around three boys, with Erry being the center of attention. Despite his innocent appearance, why he's in jail, and the others treat him respectfully is puzzling.

The story then takes us back to 1976, when Marisa receives a call from her husband instructing them to make tea. Her husband collects empty Jack Daniels bottles of tea made by their three kids and Marisa. These bottles are then sold at a discounted price, deceiving people into thinking they're buying actual liquor. Pasquale and Marisa have three children: Peppe, the oldest; Angelo, the youngest; and Enrico, the middle child. Enrico has a passion for music and works at a record store, while Angelo has been sentenced to jail for attempted murder. Not much is revealed about Peppe.

In 1985, Erry, also known as Enrico, becomes unemployed when his boss decides to close the shop. Before leaving, the boss advises Erry to start his own business. Along with Peppe and his wife, Erry purchases a cassette copying machine worth 7 million and enters the world of piracy. They tap into an untapped market and make substantial profits. Soon, every stand has a tape from "Mixed by Erry." Besides selling pirated copies, Erry continues making his mixtapes, pursuing his dream of becoming a DJ, even though it still needs to be fulfilled.

By 1987, their business became worse as the Financial Police began chasing them. To evade capture, the brothers quickly establish shell companies with fake employees. A police officer named Ricciardi becomes determined to chase them down, posing a significant threat to the Frattasio brothers. From the opening scene, it's evident that the police have successfully caught them.

"Mixed by Erry" presents an interesting approach to portraying real-life incidents in Italy. I never felt bored, nor did I consider it lacking in any way. This 112-minute film is captivating, and the actors, such as Giuseppe Arena, Emanuele Palumbo, Luigi D'Oriano, and others, deliver exceptional performances. The casting in "Mixed by Erry" is spot-on, and the events, including the manhunt by the police, make the second half of the film exhilarating. The madness reflected in Angelo's eyes is intriguing, as it convinces viewers that He is willing to go to great extremes to enhance the welfare of his family.

The film can be split into two distinct parts: the first half. Showcases the rise to fame of the Frattasio brothers with their "Mixed by Erry" cassettes, and the second focuses on the Financial Police's efforts to suppress their operations. Imagine three boys whose fathers made money through scams. One day, they approached a local loan shark for 9 million, and a few days later, they asked him for 210 million. This demonstrates their ability to run a business inherited from their father. Suppose I were to describe each brother individually. In that case, Angelo is the reckless one, Erry is the talented individual whose creativity drives their cassette empire, and Peppe is the mastermind behind the entire operation.

Despite coming from a humble background and amassing billions, the Frattasio brothers stay connected to their roots. They learned the art of trading from their father at a young age, destined to make a difference. The Frattasio brothers copied millions of cassettes worldwide to make a living, an extraordinary feat. Sydney Frasca, Armando Festa, and Simnona Frasca engagingly narrated the story, entertaining and educating the audience about Italy's piracy empire. This film is light-hearted and enjoyable, and its fast-paced storytelling satisfied me. These qualities determine whether a film flops or become a hit.