Mob City from the former showrunner of “The Walking Dead”, Frank Darabont debuted last night on TNT. This was the first of a three part series. It’s filled with familiar big TV names as well as movie actors which makes for an interesting mix of great talent. Mob City is based on the book “LA Noir” by John Buntin. Blackmail, a favorite theme of film noir is the catalyst for the story that interweaves a comedian, the LAPD and mobsters in the backdrop of 1947 downtown Los Angeles.
The comedian, Hecky Nash played by the recognizable comedic actor Simon Pegg sets off the action by blackmailing an old childhood friend who is now the mobster Mickey Cohen. Nash seemingly entices LAPD Officer Joe Teague played by The Walking Dead’s Jon Bernthal into his scheme. LAPD Police Chief William Parker is hot on the action. Mobster Bugsy Siegel played by Ed Burns “pays his own way” and doesn’t like people he can’t buy. LAPD has large scale corruption within the department during this time. Parker faces dual challenges as he fights street crime while simultaneously fighting corruption within his own department.
Mob City did make me think of the male dominated “Boardwalk Empire” with all the violence minus the profanity. It’s a stylish film noir for television that takes us back to an interesting time in LA history. Count me in for the next episode. Mob City airs Wednesday nights at 9/8c on TNT.
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