The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMovie reviews

Suburra

Suburra | Movie review
20 June 2016
James Ager
Avatar
James Ager
20 June 2016

Movie and show review

James Ager

Subarra

★★★★★

Release date

24th June 2016

Certificate

UPG121518 title=

Links

TwitterFacebookWebsite

If there’s one thing to be said for Suburra, it’s that it’s not afraid to be ambitious. Spanning the course of seven tumultuous days, the film tells of a Mafia-style organised crime group and their plans to establish the next Las Vegas in the waterfront district of Rome, amidst a climate of political upheaval. With multiple interlinking plots and an expansive cast that all ultimately draw together in a compelling fashion, one can’t fail to miss the Godfather-esque aspirations of this film. The convolutions of plot, though confusing on paper, are all deftly realised by actors who are clearly well versed in their chosen field. It’s surprisingly poignant and emotive throughout, if a little fatalistic, and there can be no doubt that Suburra is highly effective in creating an atmosphere of drama and intrigue.

This production is very competent from a technical perspective, too. Much of the plot unfolds at night, and in the rain, with scenes in the street masterfully lit in warm yellows and cool blues as the emotional narrative requires. The soundtrack is delivered at the hands of electronica group M83 – probably the only thing this film has in common with 2013’s Tom Cruise vehicle Oblivion. It’s a score that never fails to deliver passion, a sense of grandeur in some of the most heartbreaking moments of the story. Yes, it’s manipulative, and it can get repetitive towards the end, but there’s no denying the visceral appeal of these particular tracks at those particular moments.

That said, though Suburra may have dreams of being the next Godfather, it is not. This movie mostly suffers under the weight of its own scale and reach. As it continues on, several characters are left by the wayside, never to appear again, and those who do survive to the later acts are not likeable, or even particularly relatable, enough for the audience to stay invested. It doesn’t help that this film is over two hours long, when it’s clear that a lot of flab could be cut at various points. There’s definitely a more refined, more humble version to be cut, but as it stands, Suburra is a vast, sprawling and ambitious neo-noir thriller that Rome herself would be proud of.

★★★★★
 

James Ager

Suburra is released in selected cinemas on 24th June 2016.

Watch the trailer for Suburra here:

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.

Related Itemsreview

More in Movie reviews

The United States Vs Billie Holiday

★★★★★
BP Flanagan
Read More

The Sinners

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More

What Lies Below

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Ginny & Georgia

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More

Ayouni

★★★★★
Jacob Kennedy
Read More

Blush

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Wrong Turn

★★★★★
Musanna Ahmed
Read More

The Trial of the Chicago 7

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Pelé

★★★★★
Jake Cudsi
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Movie and show review

James Ager

Subarra

★★★★★

Release date

24th June 2016

Certificate

UPG121518 title=

Links

TwitterFacebookWebsite

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • From high-altitude service to high-end delivery: Daniel Hulme’s One Fine Dine packs gourmet flavours into a fun and fuss-free experience
    Food & Drinks
  • Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Celebrate Margarita Day at home with these simple yet sophisticated cocktails
    Food & Drinks
  • Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – Hunter and the Dog Star
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild
    Theatre
  • The United States Vs Billie Holiday
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Berlinale 2021: Top picks to look out for in the festival’s 71st year
    Berlinale
  • Blush: An interview with director Debra Eisenstadt
    Cinema & Tv
  • Baby Done: An interview with lead actor Rose Matafeo
    Cinema & Tv
  • West End Musical Drive In Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Hymn at the Almeida Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Bradford – Bright Hours
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Pelé
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • To Olivia
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Elvis and Nixon | Movie review
Vassa Zheleznova at Southwark Playhouse | Theatre review