NYPD officer, Steven A Collura (Grant Show), is sent on a mission: infiltrate the Mob family led by Carlo Gambino (Robert Loggia). The Made-for-TV movie probes the inner workings f an undercover operation: On one hand, the operative projects a fantasy on the other hand his act creates a reality of its own.
To insert Officer Collura into the mob, he's teamed up with a former Mafia couple working off a case. Taking up residence with them as his "son", Collura lays down the rules: he's the boss he does what he wants; they're the help and that's it. The ex-Mafia couple have no choice but to grin and bear Collura's laws. As time progresses, they begin acting like a family so much so Collura's parents start berating Collura for his personal shortcomings, late hours, bad company and drinking.
Collura is so successful in inserting himself into the web of the mob that he strikes up a relationship with Carlo Gambino's beloved goddaughter Maria Caprefoli (Maria Pitillo), whom Carlo cautions Collura is a gentle but fragile flower.
Taken home to meet 'Mom' and 'Dad,' in their apartment in an old frame house on Pitkin Avenue in the mob strong hold of South Ozone Park, Maria asks the most telling question in the family oriented Italian - American world. Surprisingly, this obvious question was overlooked by all the mobsters right up to Carlo. "Oh, it's nice to meet your Mob and Dad, where does the rest of your family, your uncles and aunts and cousins live?" Mom, Dad and Junior all look at each other in fright and on a flimsy excuse leave the room.
Well an engagement is announced and Maria offers Collura a short preview of bliss, but forbids physical contact.
Meanwhile, Collura is advanced in the mob to the point he is trusted with a small role in the execution of Mob rogue and existentialist philosopher Joey Gallo. Handed a weapon, but advised that he'll only be part of the back - up, Collura panics and runs back to the police.
The story like The Impossible Spy and Scarlet Coat catch the very nature of an undercover operative. He projects a fantasy as reality. How far can the spy be drawn into the charade that he has created.
To insert Officer Collura into the mob, he's teamed up with a former Mafia couple working off a case. Taking up residence with them as his "son", Collura lays down the rules: he's the boss he does what he wants; they're the help and that's it. The ex-Mafia couple have no choice but to grin and bear Collura's laws. As time progresses, they begin acting like a family so much so Collura's parents start berating Collura for his personal shortcomings, late hours, bad company and drinking.
Collura is so successful in inserting himself into the web of the mob that he strikes up a relationship with Carlo Gambino's beloved goddaughter Maria Caprefoli (Maria Pitillo), whom Carlo cautions Collura is a gentle but fragile flower.
Taken home to meet 'Mom' and 'Dad,' in their apartment in an old frame house on Pitkin Avenue in the mob strong hold of South Ozone Park, Maria asks the most telling question in the family oriented Italian - American world. Surprisingly, this obvious question was overlooked by all the mobsters right up to Carlo. "Oh, it's nice to meet your Mob and Dad, where does the rest of your family, your uncles and aunts and cousins live?" Mom, Dad and Junior all look at each other in fright and on a flimsy excuse leave the room.
Well an engagement is announced and Maria offers Collura a short preview of bliss, but forbids physical contact.
Meanwhile, Collura is advanced in the mob to the point he is trusted with a small role in the execution of Mob rogue and existentialist philosopher Joey Gallo. Handed a weapon, but advised that he'll only be part of the back - up, Collura panics and runs back to the police.
The story like The Impossible Spy and Scarlet Coat catch the very nature of an undercover operative. He projects a fantasy as reality. How far can the spy be drawn into the charade that he has created.