The Super Information

The Super is a 1991 American comedy film starring Joe Pesci as a New York slum landlord sentenced to live in one of his own buildings until it is brought up to code. Screenwriter Nora Ephron co-scripted the story with Sam Simon. This is the last film in which Vincent Gardenia appeared.

Plot

Joe Pesci stars as Louie Kritski, a heartless slumlord who was born into money, thanks to his ruthless father, "Big Lou" (Vincent Gardenia), also a slumlord. However, the tables turn on Louie when he's threatened with prison for his failure to keep his New York slum up to code. The judge gives him another option, which he accepts: he must live in one of his own shoddy run-down apartment blocks until he brings it up to livable standards. At first Louie is adamant that not one repair will be carried out, and will wait until his father bails him out. However, Louie has a change of heart after meeting and getting to know the building's residents, including a small time hustler named Marlon (Ruben Blades), and a struggling street boy named Tito. Over time, Louie grows more sympathetic with their problems and makes amends for his greediness through actions such as donating space heaters to the tenants to help them cope with the winter. Unfortunately, Big Lou Kritski is the owner of the property in title, and he resists his son's entreaties to spend money to improve the tenements. When Louie confronts Big Lou who is about to set fire to his own tenement, all the residents appear on the roof to back up Louie. The film ends with Louie's building completely refurbished, Marlon becoming the new super, and all the tenants gathered outside to see Louie off.

Cast

• Joe Pesci as Louie Kritski
• Vincent Gardenia as Big Lou Kritski
• Ruben Blades as Marlon
• Madolyn Smith Osborne as Naomi Bensinger
• Stacey Travis as Heather
• Carole Shelley as Irene Kritski
• Kenny Blank as Tito
• Steven Rodriguez as Pedro
• Beatrice Winde as Leotha

Reception

The Super had a $22 million production budget. However, the film was a box-office failure, only grossing $11,000,863 domestically in its release.

The film received poor reviews in its theatrical release and currently holds a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 9 reviews.

Kenny Blank, who played Tito, was nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1992 in the category 'Best Young Actor Co-starring in a Motion Picture'