Overview
The series Gomorrah - The Origins explores Pietro Savastano's youth in the 1970s, in a Naples undergoing a transformation, poverty-stricken and plagued by cigarette smuggling. The story begins in 1977 with a very young Pietro, the son of no one, growing up as an adoptive brother in a family in the poorest part of Secondigliano. A street kid, he scrapes by as best he can, dreaming of a well-being that is still denied him. The story unfolds through Pietro's loss of innocence, along with his brothers and lifelong friends, their ambitions, and his first great love, which, like that of every teenager, will be wild and passionate. His encounter with Angelo, known as 'A Sirena,' the regent of Secondigliano, marks his entry into the world of crime. Through violence, alliances, and betrayals, Pietro discovers the price that life takes.
Reviews
"Gomorrah" was, for me, a standout series. An easy 10/10 in the organised crime/mafia genre. Regrettably, the spin-off, "Gomorrah: The Origins", doesn't reach the same heights as its conspicuously superior predecessor.
Set in 1970s Italy, this crime family origin story is riddled with overstated, posturing performances and set pieces. It exclaims, "Look, look, this is 1970s Italy!" The problem is, it's not. Indeed, the harder it tries, the more unconvincing it becomes. In reality this is a heavily scripted revisionist work that bears little in common with Italy at that time or the period in general.
The result is somewhat farcical, bordering on satirical. It's nothing like the understated, down-to-earth gritty masterpiece it apes.
In summary, heavy-handed treatment and revisionism sink this series in the first episode. If you are new to Gomorrah, I would suggest watching the original series instead.
