By now, super-fans of the hit HBO drama The Sopranos are well aware that there are multiple films which reunite several cast members, including Killing Them Softly, Nicky Deuce, and, retroactively, Goodfellas. While each of these outings hold merit as Sopranos reunions, the truest film to hold this title is actually an underrated gem from 2012 called Not Fade Away. The film, which almost nobody seems to remember, is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV for those interested in checking it out.
Not Fade Away
Not Fade Away is a dramatic movie centered on a young man growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s, as he attempts to successfully launch a band.
As the members of the band face scrutiny from their respective families, who wish them to maintain more realistic expectations in their lives, their music dreams are dashed by the so-called “British Invasion,” which saw bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles becoming massive sensations across the world.
Coming Of Age
Along the way, there are a lot of rockin’ moments, some empowering performances of lively music in front of a growing crowd, and some half-winded social commentary about America’s involvement in the Vietnam war.
The film itself is unfortunately a fairly mild coming-of-age tale, that would be mostly unremarkable if it weren’t for a few familiar faces. Still, Not Fade Away received solid reviews as a standalone project, culminating in a 68 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Sopranos Connections
Not Fade Away was written and directed by The Sopranos creator and showrunner David Chase, in his sole feature film credit as a director. While Chase has helmed a number of TV episodes, his career has primarily been about writing more than directing, as he only helmed the very first and very last episodes of The Sopranos.
The film marks Chase’s first project following the 2007 conclusion of the hit HBO series, and to this date, his final directing credit overall.
While Not Fade Away‘s plot is a far cry from the subversive look into the dying industry of organized crime presented in Chase’s television opus, the film still maintains several personnel connections to the beloved show.
The most obvious connection is in the casting of James Gandolfini and John Magaro. While the pair never technically shared a scene in The Sopranos, their respective characters have crossed paths numerous times within the Sopranos‘ cinematic universe.
James Gandolfini
Gandolfini famously portrayed Tony Soprano in the hit series, while John Magaro would eventually go on to play a young Silvio Dante in the 2021 Sopranos spin-off prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Silvio was known as Tony’s ultra-loyal and ever-pragmatic righthand man, as portrayed by E-Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt.
The final piece that truly makes Not Fade Away a definitive Sopranos reunion is the inclusion of Van Zandt himself, in a behind-the-camera role as David Chase’s music supervisor.
Stream It Now
While the film may not be the most exciting feature in the world, it’s surely an exciting time capsule for fans of The Sopranos. Still, I like to think that Not Fade Away can hold its own outside of the tenuous connections to the famous mob drama, though I can see why the slow-burning film wouldn’t be for everyone. Those interested in checking out Not Fade Away today can do so by streaming it for free on Pluto TV.
