Film Review: "The Many Saints of Newark" (2021).

This is "a Sopranos story". This is The Many Saints of Newark. This crime drama film directed by Alan Taylor and written by David Chase and Lawrence Konner. it is a prequel to Chase's HBO crime drama series The Sopranos (1999-2007). Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities—and whose influence over his nephew will help make the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we’ll later come to know: Tony Soprano.

Following the release of The Sopranos, Chase was suggested by Oz creator Tom Fontana to write a film centered on Tony Soprano's father Giovanni "Johnny Boy" Soprano set in the 1930s or 1940s. However, the idea eventually fell off due to Chase's lack of interest. In June 2017, Chase ruled out the idea of continuing The Sopranos story, while simultaneously expressing an interest in a prequel to the series. In March 2018, New Line Cinema announced that it purchased the rights to produce the film along with HBO Films, with Chase co-writing the screenplay with Lawrence Konner. In July, Taylor, who directed several episodes of The Sopranos, was hired to direct the film. By early April 2019, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michael Imperioli, Joey Diaz, Kathryn Kates, Nick Vallelonga and Michael Gandolfini were cast. At the same time, with a budget of $50 million, principal photography commenced and wrapped in wrapped in June. Filming took place in Bloomfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Highlands, Passaic, Paterson and Newark, New Jersey, as well as Bronx, Nyack and Yonkers, New York, USA. The film was originally scheduled for a September 25, 2020 release date; however, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on theaters and the film industry, its release date was rescheduled to March 12, 2021. It was then delayed again to September 24, 2021, so it could premiere on the film festival circuit and better position itself as an awards contender, before later moving to October 1. The film was simultaneously released in theaters and on HBO Max (for a limited period of thirty-one days), as part of the 2021 Warner Bros. film release schedule plans.

Despite the terrific performances by the cast, the film mainly provides a showcase for Michael Gandolfini in the role that his late father inhabited. Despite not being free of expectations, he really gets to show off what he can do as an actor. Bravo to him.

The film is a good two-hour episode of the show. It works perfectly as a prequel (in every sense of the word) to Tony Sopranos dramatic rise and at no point does it clash with the canon from which it emerges.

Simon says The Many Saints of Newark receives:

Also, see my review for Terminator Genysis.