It is amazing how many people here either disliked Traveller, or did not get it. I think it is because it is not a big budget film (,despite a great cast). Spike of Bensonhurst (another favorite of mine) has the exact same problem. Like Spike, Traveller is a mob classic, that is really for fans ( like me) of this particular genre. One thing that is different then most mob films ( not starring James Cagney of course), is the mob is of Irish Gypsy's instead of the usual Italian or Mexican mob. But trust me, it is very much a mob film, it even has a "Don" ( Boss Jack Costello ( Luke Askew)), who determines who can be in the clan, who cannot, who can leave if they desire, and who must remain in the clan. This goes straight to the heart of the movie, with two members of the clan.( Bokky (Bill Paxton)) and his young protege.(Pat ( Mark Wahlberg)), and their involvement with women that determines their future. The more important relationship is the one that Bokky has with Jean (Julianna Margulies) who he tries to con to buy a fake ring but when he finds out that she has a little girl going deaf, he cannot go through with it. He learns from her that the Girl's hearing can be saved, but it will require $45,000 for the operation. Bokky along with Pat and Double D ( James Gammon), cook up a scheme to.con criminals out of hundreds of thousands of dollars to be split between the three of them plus the cut for the clan. Spoilers Ahead: It goes well except Pat messes up, and the crooks Murder Double D, and threaten to kill Jean and the girl unless they get the money back. Fortunately, Big Jack saves everyone in a very violent scene with the crooks being executed ( a scene that some posters here did not like, but seem to forget this is a mob film not Disney). As it turned out, Pat got Big Jack's daughter pregnant, so he has to marry her and stay with the clan like it or not ( or die), while Bokky is allowed by Big Jack to leave with Jean and her daughter ( this is actually explained to Bokky by Big Jack). While Traveller, is not The Godfather or Manhattan Melodrama ( one of my personal favorite mob films), or quite as good as Spike, it is outstanding and a must see movie. 10/10 stars.
Review of Traveller
