Review of Not Fade Away (2012) by Nick B — 10 Aug 2014

I watched this movie purely because it was the product of David Chase, the man who created and oversaw and/or wrote every episode of The Sopranos. He had his main man from that show, James Gandolfini, play a role here as well. This movie is really one man's love letter to the 60's and the rock movement of that era. That is all well and good and I, especially, love that era myself. But this doesn't make for a very entertaining affair... It follows some kids who try to start a band after falling in love with the Rolling Stones. Thats about it.... its not based off of real people or a real band... it takes place in New Jersey (like The Sopranos) and is probably more autobiographical than it should be... I plodded and pushed through the movie, losing interest about halfway through... but I had to finish - I freaking paid for it (Redbox). And boy did I pay for it... At least the soundtrack was good. I would give it a lower rating, but the soundtrack and the beauty of the portrayal of that period is something special - as are the performances of the young, unknown cast members and Gandolfini.

The most amusing part and the one you'll either love or hate is at the very end. A minor character who it turns out was narrating the whole time shows up out of nowhere, breaks the fourth wall, and then does a dance to basically "play us out" with a song... Its unexpected, ludicrous, brave, and sexier than it should be - maybe its just symbolic of the times... those times... :).