JUNE 25 — A humble international news reported the sudden death of the 51-year-old James Gandolfini.
I reckon not many readers know who he is, save for fans of the motion picture “The Sopranos”.
If you are his fan, I believe your heart might ache for a moment; his role as Tony Sopranos the Mafia ringleader in the movie was penetrating. This fat gang leader survived the embattlements somehow. His fuzzy ending in the last episode was one of the best the suspense endings ever recorded in movie history.
In real life, Gandolfini had a fatal heart attack while holidaying in enchanting and scenic Italy.
Gandolfini once worked as a truck driver, and was extremely grassroots in nature. Later he emerged as a nightclub captain, and made it to manager, smacking very much underworld. One day, out of a whim he took a course in a drama academy. His legendary switch turned him into an actor subsequently.
A movie producer offered him a role in “The Sopranos”. It was so becoming to him and the movie itself took the world by storm overnight.
“The Sopranos” was hailed as a classic in American movie history. It earned 14 Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. The movie indeed enjoys box-office draw like that of the “Godfather”. Gandolfini too earned himself a few awards.
The compliments were acknowledged as the movie outlines a sombre and realistic underworld. Gangsters opt (or have no choice) to live above the law and morality. Theirs is an entanglement at the mercy of human nature and bestiality, and thus weaknesses are vivid.
In this freakish situation, they can only walk on but not away until the day when caught or slain.
Though the American mafia is running criminal capers, traditional guidelines inherited from Sicily are observed: they cherish family ties and are amenable to the rules. Their world view is unique, for instance, they view drug traffickers as bobtails because drug trafficking is a despicable business; they don’t slay willingly or face family penalty.
Americans movie viewers in general see the underworld exhibited by “Godfather” and “The Sopranos” in curiosity. They are keen to know the grudges and love of these nocturnal souls as well as their modus operandi and suppressed inner world.
As it goes, from Marlon Brando and Al Pacino’s father-and-son Godfather Corleon to Gandolfini’s Sopranos, albeit criminals they are, they are favoured more than loathed. This by all means has something to do with romanticisation and idolisation. But we have to beware, there is a line between the normal world and the underworld.
Whenever a mafia executes his target, he will ensure no unrelated person is hurt. They live in their own world, provided you leave them alone you two will never meet head on.
This reminds me of our criminals.
In comparison, ours are more brutal. They rob and snatch and kill wilfully. It is nothing more than bestiality.
The painful truth being that in Malaysia, criminals and ordinary people live in the same context. You might be the next victim, either while having a meal out or hiding at home.
People are frightened because they come even if they don’t disturb them, demanding their wealth or life.
There was the Restricted Residence Act which restricted convicted or potential criminals within a certain territory aimed at alienating them.
Ever since the revocation of the Act, criminals are back to our living domain. The Act was meant for human rights and freedom, but unfortunately it turned out to be a deadly threat to the public.
Had I the free will, I would opt for the past. — mysinchew.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
