The Atlantic City mobsters controlling the flow of alcohol through their territory during the prohibition era seems like a great idea for an ongoing series, doesn't it? I have wqatched 'Boardwalk Empire' from the start - mainly because I am a Steve Buscemi/Michael Pitt/Kellie McDonald fan having loved their work in (respectively) Tarantino films/'Funny Games'/'Extras' among other productions. But in this extravagant series, with its amazing set of the totally recreated boardwalk that was the main promenade of Atlantic City, something is missing. Ah yes. I know what it is! It's the dirt and the lack of over-grooming that can be clearly seen in the photos of the time. Everything in the series is so darn clean. Stevo has had his eyebrows plucked/waxed/threaded to a ridiculous degree. Kellie Mac was far too healthy-looking for her state of penury in early episodes though much was made of her bad smell by her frock-shop employer. The time decreed that Irish people, in particular, would hang one towel on a nail in their cottages and it was used by all as a bath towel and heaven knows what else. Small grotty details are sadly lacking and therefore, the action seems clumsy and incredible to me. The story is a fairly predictable prohibition narrative, but I was willing to forgive that. It is difficult to find a new telling of 'boy meets girl' etc. etc. in this era of everyone being a novelist/filmmaker/creator/auteur. For that I have sympathy for Mr. Scorsese. Hackneyed tales abound.
I will keep watching as some of the performances are good. But I wish they had watched 'Underbelly' to get some pointers on keeping things (design wise) rough and real. I note that also some of the dialogue and acting come across as far too modern. There was a real style about speech back in those days. People didn't take the old 'Fuck you!' road to end an argument. There was respect even in the insults.
It's a darn shame that so much budget has been spent on the set and so little on authenticity of voice and grot!


