The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Film Review
THERE is a very good chance that every line in this review will lead closer to spoiler territory.
However, it has to be done.
My heart is in the right place.
I believe the spoilers will enhance one’s appreciation of the film.
For a long time, “The Many Saints of Newark” movie has been billed as part prequel to the HBO crime-drama series “The Sopranos” and a part origin story of the television series’ main character, Tony Sopranos.
But the second part is misleading.
While the character is indeed in the movie, he is relegated to a supporting act, and I am being kind here.
Without divulging too much, let us just say “The Many Saints of Newark” is the story of Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola) and his descent into madness.
Moltisanti and his family were not only one of the five key families to the Italian mob, but he was also a father figure to a then-young and impressionable Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini).
It is this connection and subsequent fall that leads to the legend that is Tony Soprano. There are a lot of people that played key roles in Moltisanti’s character, among them his father Dickie Snr, his twin brother Salvatore “Sally” Moltisanti (both played by Ray Liotta) and his step-mother-turned mistress Giuseppina (Michela De Rossi).
Oh, there is also his friend-turned-rival Harold McBrayer and, of course, the Soprano family itself.
The key themes here are greed, betrayal, lust and pretty much every other vice one can think of. Now, before we get into the nitty-gritties of the film and its unappreciated successes, I feel the need to get something off my chest. The film is better suited for those not familiar with the series or newcomers, rather than hardcore fans.
Hardcore fans are more likely to go into the cinema with a lot of expectations.
While this is a very good story and fan service is sprinkled throughout the film’s 120-minute runtime, one is more likely to be left disappointed rather than satisfied.
This film should go down as a reminder of how good a writer David Chase really is.
The legend of Tony Soprano is well-documented in the halls of television history, but what was lacking was his motivation.
As a member of one of the five families, it should come as no surprise as to the route this gangster would take.
While we see signs of the man he would be throughout the film, the one thing that kept him in line was his uncle, Dickie.
That is until he cuts him off.
Why? You will have to see for yourself.
We are also introduced to the psychopath that his Dickie Moltisanti, whose knee-jerk reaction to everything is violence. Surprisingly, he tries to paint himself as a victim.
The performances are top-notch, with special mention going to Alessandro Nivola.
Ray Loita is another standout doing a great job in bringing both the characters of Dickie Senior and his twin brother, Sally, to life. For a minute, I actually thought these are two different actors given the difference and amount of range he brings to both characters.
For the hardcore fans, it is all about the little subtle details, with one example being the use of the late James Gandolfini son to play the role of a young Tony Soprano. For those not in the know, James Gandolfini was responsible for bringing the character of Tony Soprano to life during the show’s run between 1999 and 2007.
Gandolfini died unexpectedly during a trip to Italy back in 2013.
The resemblance is quite striking and this can be a tribute to the late actor.
There are also a few cameos and nods to future events littered throughout the film.
For the newcomers, or those vaguely familiar with the show and character, it is just a great story. One does not need prior knowledge of the source material to fully appreciate the artistry, performance and overall story being told. But, I must admit, I now feel the urge to watch the series again and see it through.
