Family Business

In September 1946, Jessie McMullen, a Scotch-Irish American widower, immigrates to New York with his Sicilian wife. This move marks the beginning of his journey in America, filled with hopes and aspirations away from his past life.

Jessie, a proud former criminal, raises his son Vito with the expectation that he will follow in his footsteps. He instills in Vito a strong connection to their family's unruly past, which leaves a lasting impact on his future choices.

At the age of 21, after the birth of his son Adam, Vito defies Jessie's legacy by forsaking a life of crime. Instead, he focuses on building a reputable wholesale meatpacking business, seeking to carve a peaceful life away from criminal associations.

Vito marries a middle-class Hebrew woman and raises his son Adam in a conventional environment. His goal is to protect Adam from their family's criminal past, unaware that this strict upbringing might lead Adam to be fascinated by his grandfather's lifestyle.

As Adam approaches graduation from college, he feels constrained by the expectations placed upon him. Disillusioned and craving adventure, he decides to drop out, feeling as though he’s being pushed into a monotonous life.

In an attempt to gain his grandfather Jessie's approval, Adam devises a plan to commit a burglary. This decision deeply worries Vito, who is determined to steer his son away from the criminal elements that plagued their family.

Vito confronts Adam in a bar, expressing his concerns with fierce intensity, even striking him to emphasize the dangers of a life of crime. This heated moment reveals the emotional rift developing between father and son over complex family legacies.

Despite Vito's efforts to dissuade him, Adam's desire for acceptance from Jessie leads to their collaboration in a burglary. Together, the three generations of McMullens embark on a mission that intertwines their past and present in unexpected ways.

During the burglary, the plan unravels when Adam realizes he forgot an essential logbook. In a panic, he rushes back inside, triggering an alarm which leads to unforeseen consequences for all involved.

As Vito and Jessie watch helplessly, Adam is apprehended by the police after throwing them the logbook in a desperate act to escape blame. This moment marks a turning point, leading to a series of events that bring the family closer to facing their past.

To keep Adam from prison, Vito and Jessie hire an expensive lawyer who reveals Adam's only chance to avoid a long sentence is to betray his accomplices. This dilemma puts further strain on the family as they navigate the consequences of their actions.

Vito’s wife insists that he confess to help their son, complicating the already fraught family dynamics. As tensions rise, they discover the criminal act was based on a sham, forcing them to confront the dishonesty that led to their turmoil.

In a moment of internal conflict, Vito resolves to turn himself and Jessie in. This decision culminates in a court appearance where all three McMullens face the repercussions of their choices, leading to varied sentencing.

Jessie passes away in prison just as Vito arrives to say goodbye, leaving him devastated. This moment of loss forces Vito to grapple with the heavy themes of loyalty and betrayal in their family history.

In the aftermath of Jessie’s death, Vito and Adam slowly come to reconcile their differences. They honor Jessie's memory with a heartfelt farewell, ultimately understanding the complexities of their shared legacy and the love that binds them.