McMafia Series Premiere Plot Summary:
Inspired by the best-selling book by Misha Glenny. McMafia revolves around Alex Godman (James Norton) — the well-to-do son of expatriated Russians living in London. His family had/has heavy ties to the mafia, but Alex has gone to great lengths to separate himself from his family’s criminal ties, and currently works as a hedge fund manager. However, after witnessing a violent act against his family, and his company’s future is placed in jeopardy, Alex’s position may just change.
McMafia is a terrible name for a show.
What makes the name of this series even worse is that it has nothing to with the Irish mafia, nor does it have anything to do with the fast food world.
If it had been about either of these two things it probably would’ve made for an interesting show. With March around the corner, a Peaky Blinders/Departed-esque mafia show might’ve been fun. Or imagine a satirical drama about the corporate world of fast food.
Anything would be more interesting than what AMC just produced.
McMafia is a dull, retread of the well-to-do son who has been shielded from his family’s life of crime but is sucked in after death befalls the family.
The premise is as predictable as predictable gets, and unfortunately there’s little to no effort put forth to make it interesting, or unique. A predictable story can be made interesting in so many ways — style, performance, dialogue — just about any way possible.
The only thing McMafia does is put this Michael Corleone-esque tale in some pretty settings, and the main character is a hedge fund manager.
The world of finance is where McMafia gets its name. One of the central characters (played by David Strathairn). His thought is, in essence, McDonalds is more successful than Burger King because they have more stores around the world. And this is what this character wants…a global mafia…quarterbacked by a financial whiz kid with ties to the Russian mob.
There is potential here. Imagine a Big Short/Boiler Room financial thriller that has strong elements of a traditional mafia series?
However, we’re just given a lifeless, stuffy and predictable premiere. Outside of a tense explosion of violence, there’s no drama, there’s no conflict. Our main character, Alex, is supposed to be this emotionless wall who has successfully been able to make boatloads of money on his own with no help from his family’s criminal past.
Yet, within 20 minutes “the wall” immediately crumbles at the first sign of trouble — he immediately runs to his family for help, half-heartedly doesn’t taken their money, and then dives feet first into the family business after his uncle (who did not have his best intentions in mind) is killed in front of his eyes. There’s not even an ounce of conflict here. He doesn’t debate anything he just does it.
The direction given to star James Norton also severely hamstrings the entire premiere. There’s a difference between being emotionless and being lifeless. Norton plays this character in such a bland, lifeless way that you literally do not have an ounce of investment in him.
McMafia is a show that, despite its silly name and over familiar plot, could’ve have been something special. But instead AMC has produced another forgettable hour long drama that will be quickly forgotten.
Rating: 2.5 out of 10
