'Godfather of Harlem' is a compelling story for two seasons, but then begins to lose its focus in Season Three. Forrest Whitaker is fantastic, as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson, as is Vincent D'Onofrio, as Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante. When the story focuses on these two characters, as it does in Seasons 1 & 2, the story is compelling.
But, in Season 3, we lose D'Onofrio, and that's a huge loss. We also lose the excellent Nigel Thatch, as Malcom X, who is replaced by actor Jason Alan Carvell, who is merely adequate. We also lose Rafi Gavron (Ernie Nunzi) and that is a big loss.
The two biggest problems, with the series though, are Stella Gigante (Lucy Fry), and the music. Stella didn't exist, and most of the music didn't either. Having a fictional character feature so prominently, in the Season 3 storyline, is problematic. As for the music, there were great songs in the late 50's and early 60's, and we get some of this music, but mostly as background. When the music plays an impact in a scene, we get rap and hip-hop that wasn't even created until years later. It's jarringly inappropriate and unnecessary. This is clearly the fault of Swizz Beatz!
But, in Season 3, we lose D'Onofrio, and that's a huge loss. We also lose the excellent Nigel Thatch, as Malcom X, who is replaced by actor Jason Alan Carvell, who is merely adequate. We also lose Rafi Gavron (Ernie Nunzi) and that is a big loss.
The two biggest problems, with the series though, are Stella Gigante (Lucy Fry), and the music. Stella didn't exist, and most of the music didn't either. Having a fictional character feature so prominently, in the Season 3 storyline, is problematic. As for the music, there were great songs in the late 50's and early 60's, and we get some of this music, but mostly as background. When the music plays an impact in a scene, we get rap and hip-hop that wasn't even created until years later. It's jarringly inappropriate and unnecessary. This is clearly the fault of Swizz Beatz!