Movie Review: The Many Saints of Newark

The Many Saints of Newark is a movie that spoke to me on many levels.  I’m from New Jersey, I’ve watched every episode of The Sopranos probably four times or more, I’m a James Gandolfini fan, I grew up in New Jersey when the Newark race riots occurred (which figured prominently in The Many Saints of Newark), and there are scenes in and around Bahr’s Landing, arguably the best seafood restaurant in the world.  Ah, where to begin.

For starters, the movie is the story of Tony Soprano as a kid and then a teenager.  The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel.  The young Tony Soprano is played by none other than Michael Gandolfini, James Gandolfini’s real son.  Michael Gandolfini’s looks and his mannerisms make him completely believable as a younger version of the mob boss.  I can’t imagine the pressure on this young man as an actor to play the role well.  My compliments and thanks to you, Mr. Gandolfini.  You succeeded and your father would be proud.

Most of the characters in The Sopranos are shown in their earlier years in The Many Saints of Newark, including Silvio Dante, Pauly Walnuts, Tony’s mother, Tony’s sister Janice, Big Pussy, and others.   Whoever did the casting on this movie did a very good job; the actors in each role were completely believable as younger versions of themselves.  They were superb.  The actors must have spent considerable time studying The Sopranos.  Their accents, their mannerisms, their speech patterns, their expressions, even the way they walked brought back memories of The Sopranos series.  It was an incredible set of performances.

In addition to the actors shown above, the late Ray Liotta actually played two roles, but I don’t want to spoil the movie for you.  He was good in both.

You can watch The Many Saints of Newark on Netflix for $7.99 or you can get it on Amazon, and trust me, it will be money well spent.  I give The Many Saints of Newark two thumbs up only because I don’t have more thumbs.  When the movie ended, it closed with the theme music from The Sopranos (emphasizing its place as a prequel), and that was a nice touch.

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