Boardwalk Empire

Last night we watched the premier episode of the new HBO series, “Boardwalk Empire.”  Fifteen minutes into it I was totally hooked.  I love it already and I know it is just going to keep getting better and better as the future episodes unfold. 

The episode began in 1920, three days before Prohibition became the law of the land.  I’ve always been fascinated with the twenties.  In many ways the twenties were like the sixties (which was probably my happiest and most exciting decade).  HBO must have spent a TON of money on this series as the production values show. Everything from the great old cars, to the ambiance of the supper club, to the shabby row houses of the hoi polloi, to the signage on the streets, and much more, is amazing.  And, the icing on the cake is that the first episode, (which is extended to 75 minutes) was directed by Martin Scorsese. 

The casting is excellent, with Steve Buscemi  being the only really major star.  This makes for great television because you are not distracted by the credentials of the actors – they seem like real people whom you are getting to know for the first time. 

If you have HBO by all means jump on the band wagon.  If you don’t have HBO, put it down on your wish list for when the DVD comes out.

~  Tom