'Mafia Mamma' Interview: Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci

Moviefone speaks with Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci about 'Mafia Mamma.' "She was so sweet and I loved making her laugh," Collette said of her co-star.

Opening in theaters on April 14th is the new action comedy ‘Mafia Mamma,’ which was directed by Catherine Hardwicke (‘Thirteen,’ ‘Twilight’).

What is the plot of 'Mafia Mamma?’

'Mafia Mamma' follows an insecure American woman (Toni Collette) who unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere (Monica Bellucci), she defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.

Mafia Mamma

"From suburban Mom to mafia Don."

R1 hr 41 minApr 14th, 2023

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Mafia Mamma Online

Who is in the cast of 'Mafia Mamma?’

'Mafia Mamma' stars Toni Collette ('The Sixth Sense,' 'Hereditary') as Kristin, Monica Bellucci ('The Matrix Reloaded,' 'Spectre') as Bianca, Sophia Nomvete ('The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power') as Jenny, Giulio Corso ('All You Ever Wished For') as Lorenzo, Francesco Mastroianni ('Dead Uncle') as Aldo, Alfonso Perugini ('The Hand of God') as Dante, Eduardo Scarpetta ('The King of Laughter') as Fabrizio, Tim Daish ('The Invisible Thread') as Paul, and Tommy Rodger ('Goodbye Christopher Robin') as Domenick.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci about their work on ‘Mafia Mamma,’ Collette’s character’s transformation, her alliance with Bellucci’s Bianca, and collaborating with director Catherine Hardwicke.

Toni Collette stars in 'Mafia Mamma.'

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Collette, Bellucci, Sophia Nomvete, and director Catherine Hardwicke.

Moviefone: To begin with, Toni, Kristin goes from being an ordinary mom to a mob boss through the course of the film. Can you talk about your character’s transformation and what it was like for you to play that part?

Toni Collette: It was an honor and it was hugely fun, and I had the time of my life. I mean, I love this movie because ultimately, it's an empowering story. It's about a woman, she's a mom, but she's so many other things, and nobody ever sees that, and she has no real sense of self. She's quite shut down and she gets this opportunity to go to Italy and it completely changes her life. So this trajectory of becoming empowered, and having a sense of autonomy and strength is so beautiful. But the context that the story is told in just makes it so unusual, so unique and so much fun because it is hilarious.

(L to R) Stars Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Eduardo Scarpetta, and director Catherine Hardwicke on the set of 'Mafia Mamma.' Courtesy of Bleecker Street.

MF: Monica, you haven’t had a chance to do a lot of comedy in your career, what was it like for you to be a part of this project and work with director Catherine Hardwicke?

Monica Bellucci: I'm very lucky that I had the chance to work with this amazing lady because she gave us the freedom to create this beautiful relationship between Bianca and Kristin, and we could build all the affection and connection that carries the two character in their adventure. For me, it was so original to be part of this project. I haven't done many comedies in my career. I grew up with mafia movies like many of my generation in Italy, ‘Once Upon a Time in America,’ ‘Goodfellas,’ and ‘The Godfather.’ But this was really something completely new, a mafia comedy with a feminine twist. Catherine, she brings really such an elegance with her femininity in the middle of violence. Those three female characters are so beautiful because even Jenny (Sophia Nomvete), Kristin’s lawyer, she's amazing and we are surrounded by an incredible cast of actors. So really, Catherine, she did incredible work because it is a difficult movie with many scenes, many actors, and she was never scared to try something new, or realizing when you've gone too far. So she's magic.

(L to R) Monica Bellucci and Toni Collette in 'Mafia Mamma.' Courtesy of Bleecker Street.

MF: Toni, can you talk about the unusual alliance that Kristin and Bianca form together, and what your experience was like working with Monica Bellucci?

TC: It's Monica Bellucci for God's sake! She's an icon for many reasons. I've been watching her for years and she's a style icon and she's just the coolest. But she's so obviously talented and totally professional. She was so grounded, noble and sweet, and I loved making her laugh. There's so many outrageous things that happened in this movie, and I'd look over at her and she'd just be giggling like, this is so wrong, and so right, all at the same time. I loved working with her. She's very open and present, and really wanted to do a great job. And who doesn't want to get a makeover from Monica Bellucci? How lucky am I?

(L to R) Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci in 'Mafia Mamma.' Courtesy of Bleecker Street.

MF: There is a very funny scene in the movie where you are making wine with Monica and you are both squishing grapes with your bare feet. Was that a fun scene to shoot?

TC: Yes, squishing grapes, that was a bucket list thing. I got to do it in the film. It does feel amazing, and your skin is better afterwards. You have to be a little careful because it gets a bit slippery. They kept bringing in new grapes because obviously we're doing take after take. But I had always wanted to do that and I got to do that on top of everything else in this movie with Monica.

Monica Bellucci in 'Mafia Mamma.' Courtesy of Bleecker Street.

MF: Finally, Monica, how would you describe the bond that Kristin and Bianca form in the movie, and what was your experience like working with Toni Collette?

MB: We are in a male dominated society, so those women have to protect themselves. Toni, she is fantastic, and really amazing in the movie. I'm so happy that I had the chance to work with her because of course we all know how talented Toni Collette is. But as a person, she was really amazing and for me it was a great moment to be in.