Organised crime has always been an interesting subject for both movies and television shows. People are always fascinated by people who live their lives outside the rules. Even though they are always in danger they wield power and wealth allowing them to live a life of luxury. The Godfather movies and a tv show like The Sopranos are extremely popular not because they are all about a violent existence, but mainly because they also show the personal relationship between people and show the effects the environment they are living in can have on them. It is what the 12 episode first season of the Italian mafia series Gomorra also attempts to show.
Godfather Pietro Savastano has been very successful doing business in Naples. He has built up a loyal group of people around him and with them he knows how to keep his competition under control. His son Gennaro should be the one who has to take over his position, but he seems anything but ready for the job. He still comes across as an uncertain boy instead of a confident man who strikes fear into everyone. Gennaro is close friends with Ciro, one of the younger people of the group, but who is an important hit man for the boss. He calls him Highlander because he doesn’t seem to be able to be killed. Just like every normal company Pietro Savastona wants to expand his business, which of course is difficult when it comes to organised crime. Through circumstance he ends up in jail.
It results in an empty position at the top and it is unclear who will be able to take power. Because Ciro is able to put a lot of pressure on Gennaro he can steer him to make specific decisions, but Ciro and Gennaro aren’t the only people. Pietro’s wife has a lot of experience and also sees an opportunity to take control. The result is a thrilling story in which every episode brings along some unexpected events.
The acting in this show is extremely good, which makes you care for all of the characters. Ciro (Marco D’Amore) is the focus of the story, but personally I was most impressed by Salvatore Esposito in his role as Gennaro. His character grows through his experiences and he manages to convincingly bring that to the screen. The characters in Gomorra are no cardboard cutouts but have a depth to them, make errors and feel the impact of their decisions.
Gomorra manages to create a believable, realistic feeling and as you are watching this you get an idea how a criminal organisation, despite the violence and all the negatives that come with the lifestyle, manages to get support from people directly being affected by their activities. After seeing the first season, which slowly builds towards a stunning ending I can’t wait for the next season. It is a must-see for every fan of movies and tv shows involving organised crime.
Very enjoyable series, pure edge of seat stuff ala The Sopranos and like the Sopranos, we unwittingly sympathise with some of the lowest of the lowest characters. You’d never know whose going to get killed next or where or when. Another one I’d heartily recommend along the same lines as Gomorrah is the Irish series Love/Hate, another one for gritty, nail biting tension with some memorable characters especially in the later seasons.
Yeah, it really was and I’m looking forward to the second season. Never heard of Love/Hate, so will try to find that one! Thank you.