The Many Saints of Newark

 

               Those expecting the story of a young Tony Soprano are bound to be disappointed. While Tony and most of all the other major characters beloved by Soprano fans are certainly in the film, the focus is on Dickie Moltisanti, Christopher's father who was always referenced but never seen on the TV series. The film's title actually makes that very clear.

                  Alessandro Nivola plays Dickie who is very good as a conflicted mobster with a very hot temper. Of course, he is worshipped by his nephew, Tony, played by Michael Gandolfini ( James Gandolfini's real life son).  It's a bit of stunt casting but it works, mostly because he is not asked to do much except portray a teenager growing up in a very complicated family. His mother, Olivia Soprano, is played brilliantly by Vera Farmiga, who nails the role made famous by Nancy Marchand. His father, Johnny Boy Soprano is played by Jon Bernthal, and lest we forget, Uncle Junior, played by a convincing Corey Stoll.

                    Co-starring as a young Silvio is John Magaro and as Paulie, Billy Magnussen. It's fun to see characters fan love as their younger selves with their trademark looks and attitude already evident. We even meet the young Pussy Bonpensiero, Artie Bucco, Janice Soprano, and in one scene, a young Carmela De Angelis. The problem for fans, is we don't see enough of them. The thin plot centers on the growing war between Dickie and Harold McBryaer, played against type by Leslie Odum Jr. Characters important to this story include Ray Liotta as Dickie's father and his twin brother, Sally and Michela De Rossi as his young Italian bride, Giuseppina.

                      David Chase, who created "The Sopranos" co-wrote the script with Lawrence Konner but does not direct. Alan Taylor directs the film but somehow misses the gravitas of the script by stringing scenes together and cutting too quickly from one to the next. Scenes jump around, teasing us with favorite characters but never really giving them much to do. Mr. Chase's script explores the race riots in Newark that took place in the 1960's and Mr. Taylor does capture the look and feel of the turbulent times and even locations fans have come to love.

                      The film is far from perfect but does a good job filling in a backstory fans have always asked for. Billed as "a Sopranos story" and teasing us with glimpses of these characters make you wonder if there is more to come in Tony's formative years. We can only hope.