Review: Dead-ringer overstays welcome in derivative ‘Stevie D’

The low-energy gangster dramedy “Stevie D” draws its premise from the classic presidential-swap comedy “Dave” (or even “The Prince and the Pauper”) and transplants it to the world of organized crime in Los Angeles. Just go with the idea that there’s a “Goodfellas”-style mob running things in the underworld of L.A.

“Stevie D” writer-director Chris Cordone plays the titular Stevie D, the ne’er-do-well son of a mobster construction mogul, as well as Michael, the struggling actor hired to take his place after an incident at a strip club makes Stevie the target of a rival mob.

Though he’s been hired as Stevie’s stand-in to ultimately take the hit while the real Stevie remains in hiding, Michael mostly manages to rehabilitate Stevie’s reputation — presenting a respectable, polite front that’s far from the foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed spoiled brat antics of the real thing. His approach to the Stevie D life allows him to romance ambitious lawyer Daria (Torrey DeVitto), as well as win over his aspiring actor mob handler Lenny (Kevin Chapman). The cast includes veterans Hal Linden, John Aprea, Al Sapienza and Robert Costanzo.

But for a film about mob hits and mistaken identity, the stakes in “Stevie D” are surprisingly low. The borrowed concept is all it has going for it, and at nearly two hours it stretches the conceit and the performers far beyond their range. It’s a minor effort overly indebted to its references.

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‘Stevie D’

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 59 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills

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