I think we've always been fascinated with the idea of the

In the words of Joe Johnston, "I think we've always been fascinated with the idea of the romantic outlaw. John Gotti could be in one instance a charismatic, kind and loving family man, and in another, deadly to his enemies. The opportunity to tell the true story of Gotti with John Travolta is a director's dream," we are invited to explore the complexity of the human spirit—the duality between good and evil, love and violence, and the unspoken allure of the outlaw archetype. The romantic outlaw is a figure that exists in the shadows of myth and history, one whose actions defy convention, yet whose charisma and humanity offer an appeal that is impossible to resist. Johnston’s words bring to light an eternal fascination with these figures—those who live on the edge, embodying both heroic and tragic qualities, capturing our imagination even as they embody the tension between order and chaos.

The ancients understood the power of such figures well. In Greek mythology, the hero was often a person of great courage and strength, yet their journey was always marred by a tragic flaw or an act that set them on a collision course with fate. Take the story of Heracles, whose feats of strength and bravery made him a hero among gods and mortals alike, but whose own anger and impulsiveness led to tragedy. The ancient Greeks celebrated such figures because they represented both the possibilities and limits of human potential. Similarly, the romantic outlaw like John Gotti is a modern expression of this ancient archetype, someone whose charm and violence are intertwined, creating a figure that is at once both repellent and captivating.

John Gotti, as Johnston describes, exemplifies this duality in its rawest form. In one moment, he could be a family man, expressing love, loyalty, and devotion to those closest to him; in the next, he could be a ruthless criminal, eliminating anyone who threatened his empire. This tension is not new to human history. Consider the Renaissance figure of Cesare Borgia, whose charismatic leadership and love for his family were tempered by his ruthlessness in securing power. His ability to navigate between being both a loving son and a deadly leader makes him an early example of the romantic outlaw—a figure whose actions blend affection with cruelty, loyalty with violence.

The ancient Romans too had their own figures who embodied this paradox. Julius Caesar, beloved by his soldiers and the people of Rome for his courage and intelligence, was equally known for his ruthlessness and ambition. His life, like Gotti’s, was a mix of personal connection and public violence, and his story is a lesson in how great power often comes at a great personal cost. In each of these stories, we see how the romantic outlaw thrives in the tension between loyalty and betrayal, between love and destruction. They are figures of mythic proportions, whose actions challenge the very nature of morality and justice.

Johnston’s excitement about telling the story of Gotti through the lens of John Travolta’s performance highlights the intricacy of the romantic outlaw figure. The director's dream is not merely in the storytelling, but in the opportunity to unveil the layers of humanity that exist within such a contradictory figure. Travolta, known for his own versatility as an actor, has the capacity to convey both the charm and danger inherent in Gotti’s character. This, in many ways, mirrors the ancient tradition of using actors and storytellers to explore the complexity of character—where the tragic and the heroic can coexist in the same soul, creating a dynamic tension that makes them all the more compelling.

The romantic outlaw, much like the tragic heroes of old, teaches us profound lessons about the human condition. They show us that good and evil are not always as clear-cut as we would like to believe. Often, they exist not in opposition, but in a fluid, interwoven dance, where love can exist alongside violence, and where charm can coexist with ruthlessness. The romantic outlaw forces us to confront the reality that human nature is multifaceted and that the choices we make often come with consequences that are far more complex than we may first realize.

The lesson that Johnston’s reflection offers is that we must learn to embrace the complexity of human nature, to recognize the tensions within ourselves and others. Just as the ancients recognized in their heroes the balance between light and dark, so must we confront our own contradictions. In our lives, we may face moments where our compassion clashes with our ambition, or where our loyalties conflict with the need for self-preservation. The romantic outlaw, then, is not a mere figure to admire from afar, but a reminder that each of us carries within us the potential for both great love and destructive power.

In your own life, take time to reflect on the outlaws—the figures who live in the gray areas of morality, who challenge you to think beyond simple definitions of right and wrong. Recognize the romantic in the complexity of your own actions and relationships. Like the figures of ancient myth and modern outlaws, you too will face moments where love and violence, loyalty and betrayal, intersect. The key is not to shy away from these contradictions, but to understand them, learn from them, and allow them to shape your path. The romantic outlaw is not a figure to fear but one to understand—because in him, you find the depth of the human journey.