Quarter century after publishing the novel that would be adapted into The Godfather, one of the most important and influential films ever made, Mario Puzo wrote The Last Don, another epic saga about Mafia family. Unlike The Godfather, this novel was adapted for television instead of big screen. Three-part miniseries, directed by Graeme Clifford, was originally aired in 1997.
The narrator in the film is one of the major characters, Don Domenico Clericuzio (played by Danny Aielo), boss of powerful New York Mafia family. The plot begins in 1964 when his daughter Rose Marie (played by Emily Hampshire) informs him that she intends to marry Jimmy Santadio (played by Bruno Campos), son of the boss of rival Mafia family. After his son Silvio (played by Quinn Duffy) gets gunned down by Santadio family’s men Don Domenico reluctantly agrees to marriage and later sends his nephew and trusted lieutenant Pippi De Lena (played by Joe Mantegna) to represent him at the wedding. This is, however, just a ruse intended to allow his men and Pippi to massacre Santadio’s family, with only Rose Marie being spared. Pippi is later given the assignment in Las Vegas, where he meets and later marries beautiful showgirl Nalene (played by Penelope Ann Miller) who would later bear him a son and a daughter. Decades later, Rose Marie’s son Dante (played by Rory Cochrane) and Pippi’s son Cross (played by Jason Gedrick) take very different paths. Dante, whose mother (played by Kirstie Alley in later years) became insane because of her loss, grew up to become violent sadist and someone who doesn’t hide his ambition to take over grandfather’s criminal empire. Cross, on the other hand, has taken his position in Mafia very reluctantly and tries to avoid unnecessary violence. That, however, becomes difficult after he sees and falls in love with Athena Aquitaine (played by Daryl Hannah), beautiful but troubled Hollywood diva to whom he was introduced by his sister Claudia (played by Michelle Burke), entertainment lawyer who works with film studios.
Because of the similar theme, plot and even some characters, the comparison between The Last Don and The Godfather were inevitable. Just like it was inevitable that those comparisons would be in favour of Coppola’s masterpiece. Even when the limits of television production are taken into consideration, the miniseries look like obviously inferior work. The miniseris is overlong, plot doesn’t seem particularly original (an aging Mafia don wants to turn his family into legitimate business, one young mobster is reluctant to take the reins while the other is violent), there are many subplots that are completely unnecessary. The segment dealing with Hollywood studio machinations in the later part of series is weak and unconvincing. Clifford isn’t particularly inspired director, but thankfully, there are few action scenes and The Last Don relies more on drama and diverse cast. Danny Aiello is good as the old Mafia boss, while Joe Mantegna is even better as his trusted lieutenant who also tries to be a good father. On the other hand, Jason Gedrick isn’t that convincing in the role of nominal protagonist and the complete lack of chemistry with Daryl Hannah makes romantic subplot almost unbearable. Rory Cochrane is more interesting as psychopathic villain, but he actually doesn’t appear in the film so much to drastically improve the impression. The Last Don, which runs for almost over four hours, could be recommended only to fans of Mafia-related films that have nothing better to do. Despite less than stellar reviews, a sequel under title The Last Don 2 was aired in 1998.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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