Sky Smuggery



You know you want it...


Only seems right to follow up on the blog of anticipation re: the birth of Sky Atlantic with a review of the first epic show that I shall be committing many an hour of my tedious little existence to.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE: Episode 1

Greed, corruption, violence, betrayal: what more could you ask of a Tuesday night? Well hows about an all star cast, dazzling costumes and a wealth of acting talent worth it's weight in illegal imports.

If, like me, you enjoy anything to do with the dark, grizzly reality of the elusive "American dream" (think F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hunter S. Thompson, Arthur Miller...) then Boardwalk Empire is most definitely for you.

Not that i HATE Americans or anything, just there's something perversely comforting in seeing the "land of opportunity" being torn down to size. Just me?

Set on the day of prohibition in 1920s Atlantic City, we follow the life of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the corrupt city treasurer: politician, criminal and ruler of the boardwalk. The series chronicles his slithery, under-handed movements with everyone from the lowly minions to the highest of society.

The first episode introduces the audience to the wide plethora of corrupt politicians, henchmen and crooks as they attempt to keep the alcohol flowing and the money rolling in uncertain times of change...

"Hands up who was shocked when I went into the wood chipper?"

Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast this role that demands more than just a quick-witted mafioso boss. The complex character Nucky is more than a mere politician or gangster. The same awkward, edginess seen in Fargo and Resevoir Dogs makes him perfect for this role. The emotion he conveys through a solitary look is palpable, and at times he seems almost in fear of his own power. But always with a dignified air of danger, suggesting he should not be crossed. Simply put - this bug-eyed wonder is brilliant.

Trout-pout tweed chic - soooo 1920s

And don't even get me started on baby-faced killer Michael Pitt. A fan of his previous work (Funny Games, The Dreamers, Dawsons Creek LOL) he has an effortless air of quiet danger that makes him perfect for the role of Jimmy, Nucky's troubled protege.


Kelly suddenly remembers Glasgow in February. Chilling.

Kelly MacDonald also impresses in the role of Irish widowed mother, Margaret Schroeder, who turns to Nucky for help. Her fragility and chemistry with Nucky asserts her presence in future episodes, as drama unfolds and relationships form.

Although a creation of the same mind that wrote the Sopranos, this is no regular tale of a violent and corrupt underworld.

Martin Scorsese describes their depiction of Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, who also make appearances, as "toddler gangsters". So obviously I instantly had in mind Bugsy Malone but EVEN CREEPIER with the hideously made up likes of Jodie Foster prancing around in huggies pull ups, threatening each others lives with water pistols and razor sharp rusks...but alas no.

Scorsese, ya auld joker, he just meant they would illustrate a new generation of "gangster" heavy handedly taking the reigns from the more subtle style of "businessmen" who knew how to keep politicians in their pockets and dealing on the down-low.

Unlike my current obsession, Mad Men, it's instantly obvious that there will be little of the polished, non-challant alcholism or jovial sexism: this is gritty, grim glamour and not without dark humour, delivered in the razor-sharp style Buscemi masters.

Brilliant.

Story-telling at its finest.