Johnson 1
Karen Johnson
Professor Ruffner
ENC 1101
16 March 2002
The Sopranos
Frank Sinatra’s association with the Mafia is well known to the public. The Las Vegas performer and Hollywood actor received considerable help throughout his career. HBO’s series The Sopranos uses Sinatra cleverly at the beginning of Episode Fourteen, Second Season, “Guy walks into a psychiatrist’s office”. Keeping the viewer in suspense, Episode Fourteen is playing one of Sinatra’s songs. Now aged, he reviews his life as he matured. The movie splices various images and sceneries together, like a man having an affair, and the careless usage of drugs, suggesting the good life Frank Sinatra sings about. This way of life is also stereotypical of the Mob. In comparison, The Sopranos are similar to the Mafia in their more obvious outer appearance. However, the series does not achieve a complete likeness of the behavior and actions distinctive of Syndicate leaders and their associates.
Undoubtedly, The Sopranos are created in the image of the American-Italian Mafia. The actors have an overall large nosed, dark skinned, and dark haired appearance. Like the Mafia, The Sopranos roots represent an Italian origin. It is also feasible that the performers are expected to speak with a typical New York-Italian accent, and to use profane language, similar to the language used by members of the syndicate, as recorded on FBI files. Equally observed, the show matches the dress code of the typical gangster: a fine suit and an abundance of gold jewelry. HBO has achieved to allure the viewer into a story of power, murder, drugs, and sex. However, the more knowledgeable Mafia enthusiast can see the imperfections of the story.
Tony Soprano, the current Boss, appears to command a less respectful relationship with his Crew than a real Capo would demand. The first scene of the episode demonstrates such an example. Tan, one of Tony Sopranos members, returns from abroad and waits in front of Mr. Soprano’s house. Contrary to Mafiosi traditions, Tan should have asked to be seen by Tony Soprano, and upon the bosses’ approval, a meeting would have transpired at a neutral location.
Another scene demonstrates the disrespect of the Soprano cast towards the Capo. Chris, the supervisor of the brokerage firm, allows his employees to react violently towards another broker, who is not connected to the family. A harassment suit could have followed by the injured party, and the push of the Webistics stock could have been prosecuted in a court of law. This proves again, that the fictional characters of The Sopranos are not comparable to the actual Mafia, as the organized crime family works among themselves to avoid incrimination. The behavioral pattern of the Soprano actors also prompts a variety of actions, different to those expected from any Mafia member.
The series exposes Tony Soprano unrealistically compared to a Mafioso boss. Mr. Soprano communicates a mental breakdown to the viewer, and is actively seeking a psychiatrist. In contrast to the show, an organized crime associate, especially the leader of an Outfit, will not seek psychiatric help. This could prove to the Crew, that he or she would be unfit. The series unquestionably ridicules the scene, when the doctor refers to the movie comedy Analyze This, and refuses to treat Tony Soprano.
Upon further research, Tony Soprano appears to be irresolute, and passive. He does not fulfill the expectations of a tough gangster to the viewer. In one part of the show Mr. Soprano reprimands Chris, his nephew, about the theft of a Porsche his associates commit. Although Chris seems troubled and calls his friends to his office, he minimizes his uncle’s concern, and simply asks his friends to steal the next car a few towns over. The scene demonstrates Mr. Soprano’s inept authority. Unlike Tony Soprano, Sam Giancana, a former Chicago Outfit Capo, did not allow insubordination. He was a very calculating individual, who could order a murder with a single look to his henchman. His Soldiers feared him, because he demonstrated harsh consequences to those who opposed him.
These few examples conclude, that The Sopranos are indeed just a Hollywood Mafia. The HBO series incorporates many elements of organized crime, but fails to commit itself to the truth of the Syndicate. The series emphasizes on the mystique of forbidden crimes, and the absolute power of the Mob. Because of this power, the government has tried to stop organized crime. Until the Syndicate will cease to exist, it is plausible that the Mafia will always fascinate the public. Therefore, the popularity of the show is an indication, that today’s movie viewer does not care about the facts, but merely seeks the thrills of the murders and deceptions of a gang, that has evaded the law for decades.