David Russell

Even though this series doesn't quite glorify it, the extent to which the ultra-violence is portrayed could earn it the negative gratuitous tag. What keeps the gore in this film from being attached to the narrative without much justification? Because it is not in slow motion. Otherwise, the violence gratuity thing is pretty much tacked on without need, and the show itself reveals when this happens, or actually, doesn't happen. Depiction of violence to enhance, move along, or expand the narrative while filling out the character's personality is best portrayed in this series when Miguel ritualistically kills his uncle---really, has his uncle killed. You remember. With the machete from the trunk. But I won't go any further with any of that and spoil the plot. It is enough to say that blade does not have to bite flesh in close-up and at half-speed to affect the viewer, as the directors of this film avoid so well when handling this scene. An example of when violence goes overboard happens when Angel inserts his pistol in the recently sliced open side of the man who killed his mother. And then within the hour they have become compadres. But the series goes far beyond the violence question with decent production values and believable relationships, making you feel like you have known these people, or someone like them, during your own life. Suspension of disbelief is nearly immediate, mostly, but they tangled web they weave is almost too intricate to manage. That's family for you, I guess. All in all, it's got a good beat, you can dance to it, and I'd give it a high 80 something---right about the same way you might score that Ben Affleck bank-robber movie about Boston with Jon Hamm in it. Same sort of deal. Pretty intense, by the way.