Saints of Newark Review

[Westside Steve]

The Many Saints of Newark

 Warner/New Line/HBO

R.                       120 min

 It's ironic how America's our America's view of the underworld has changed over the years. In the late fifties THE UNTOUCHABLES was a very popular series pitting the feds against the mob, and it was clear that Elliot Ness and his G-men were the good guys and the racketeers were the bad guys.  Maybe it’s due to America’s rebellious nature or just the fact that it’s more interesting to write about the criminals but blockbusters including the GODFATHER CASINO GOODFELLAS and the SOPRANOS have really captured the nation's fancy. Not only that but the way we watch recorded theatrical productions has changed. To watch THE UNTOUCHABLES, one had to be right in front of the TV at a specific time each week. With the advent of cable television and dedicated movie channels you might have a few options weekly. Cable stations begat VCRs which begat DVRs which begat streaming and today you can just about watch anything you want whenever you want. THE SOPRANOS remains one of the most popular cable series of all time but it last aired in 2007.  The untimely death of James Gandolfini who played Tony Soprano made sequels unlikely.  Until now. Actually, the reboot of the series is a prequel, telling the story of the early days of Tony Soprano (James’ actual son Michael Gandolfini) and his crime family, and THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK is a prequel to the prequel.  I won’t give you a blow-by-blow synopsis because I think this is more of a set of building blocks to lay the groundwork for the upcoming series, but I will give you some observations. The look and feel of SAINTS is a lot harder edged and grittier, and more violent than the original series.  Of course, it is 20 years later and producers are able to get away with a lot more than they were in the late nineties.  Unlike young Vito Corleone, young Tony Soprano is not nearly as accomplished or tough or wise as the young Godfather.  He's basically a regular suburban kid whose actual brushes with the law don't exceed much more than breaking a school rule or 2.  He does, however, idolize his mobster Uncle Dickey (Alessandro Nivola) who,  despite his charisma,  possesses a lack of self control which will eventually become his tragic flaw.  He tries to make amends by visiting his Uncle Hollywood Dick (Ray Liotta) in prison who has accepted his fate and the results of his own tragic flaw.  His advice, which reminded me of the admonition in ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, to Dickie is to stay out of young Tony's life. Whether you are a die hard Sopranos fan or just planning to get on board the new HBO Max series  I'm guessing you will really enjoy this 1st chapter.

B+

WSS

 

 

 

[nickers]

On 11/25/2021 at 8:37 AM, Westside Steve said:

The Many Saints of Newark

 Warner/New Line/HBO

R.                       120 min

 It's ironic how America's our America's view of the underworld has changed over the years. In the late fifties THE UNTOUCHABLES was a very popular series pitting the feds against the mob, and it was clear that Elliot Ness and his G-men were the good guys and the racketeers were the bad guys.  Maybe it’s due to America’s rebellious nature or just the fact that it’s more interesting to write about the criminals but blockbusters including the GODFATHER CASINO GOODFELLAS and the SOPRANOS have really captured the nation's fancy. Not only that but the way we watch recorded theatrical productions has changed. To watch THE UNTOUCHABLES, one had to be right in front of the TV at a specific time each week. With the advent of cable television and dedicated movie channels you might have a few options weekly. Cable stations begat VCRs which begat DVRs which begat streaming and today you can just about watch anything you want whenever you want. THE SOPRANOS remains one of the most popular cable series of all time but it last aired in 2007.  The untimely death of James Gandolfini who played Tony Soprano made sequels unlikely.  Until now. Actually, the reboot of the series is a prequel, telling the story of the early days of Tony Soprano (James’ actual son Michael Gandolfini) and his crime family, and THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK is a prequel to the prequel.  I won’t give you a blow-by-blow synopsis because I think this is more of a set of building blocks to lay the groundwork for the upcoming series, but I will give you some observations. The look and feel of SAINTS is a lot harder edged and grittier, and more violent than the original series.  Of course, it is 20 years later and producers are able to get away with a lot more than they were in the late nineties.  Unlike young Vito Corleone, young Tony Soprano is not nearly as accomplished or tough or wise as the young Godfather.  He's basically a regular suburban kid whose actual brushes with the law don't exceed much more than breaking a school rule or 2.  He does, however, idolize his mobster Uncle Dickey (Alessandro Nivola) who,  despite his charisma,  possesses a lack of self control which will eventually become his tragic flaw.  He tries to make amends by visiting his Uncle Hollywood Dick (Ray Liotta) in prison who has accepted his fate and the results of his own tragic flaw.  His advice, which reminded me of the admonition in ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, to Dickie is to stay out of young Tony's life. Whether you are a die hard Sopranos fan or just planning to get on board the new HBO Max series  I'm guessing you will really enjoy this 1st chapter.

B+

WSS

 

 

 

C-... IT S U C K E D!