Crooks, Thieves, Whores and Booze: BOARDWALK EMPIRE

You have a politician who lives out of a hotel room with a nymphomaniac, he runs half of Atlantic City, smuggles booze down from Canada and has most decision makers in his pocket. You have a WW1 veteran who rises up fast in the world as an errand boy until he starts getting serious with Alfred Capone up in Chicago. You have the Sheriff, who is the politician’s brother, and then there are all sorts of little crooks, thieves, killers, pick pockets, whores, corrupt senators, dancers – and real mooks. In between, a weird religious federal agent, and a good decent woman… The politician, Nucky Thompson, is Steve Buscemi, in one of his first real leading roles ever.

The first episode of this show – Boardwalk Empire –  was directed by none other than Martin Scorsese, and the opening credits boast a blues rock tune. What more could you ask for? This is a show that has more booze, boobs, blood and guts than one could possibly ask for in a prohibition-era period piece. It took me a while to get into it, but I have to say the show really grows on me and illustrates how much of a world you can create on television if you are allowed to be more gritty and realistic. Michael Pitt rocks the boat in this one, too. I am not sure how well Buscemi carries this one, but it is definitely a memorable performance. In case you haven’t checked it out, it’s highly recommended, and I am looking forward to watching more of this show.

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