Not Fade Away is a drama that is both highly enjoyable and invites the audience to share in the character's uncomfortable feelings. It is not a great film but it does come awfully close. Written and directed by David Chase (of "The Sopranos" fame)...the film is an extremely well done film about a couple of teenagers who just want to rock out.
In the film....a teenager named Douglas (John Magaro) suggests to his friends that they start a band. This is---of course---much to the chagrin of his father (James Gandolfini.) Rebelliously---Douglas starts the band and meets Joy (Dominique McElligott)...a sweet girl who promptly falls for him. Joy's father (Christopher McDonald) does not approve to say the least.
The film is narrated by Douglas's sister (Meg Guzulescu) although she's so quiet you hardly notice she's there. The confrontational family scenes get uncomfortable and then become surprisingly touching. Chase provides the audience with just the right mix of humor and heartbreak. It's as if he's doing what Judd Apatow failed to do with This Is 40 and providing the audience with an emotionally human and autobiographical story. Gandolfini and McDonald are excellent as always and newcomers Magaro and McElligott really show they have what it takes to make it in Hollywood. They are both simply terrific. Brad Garrett is also excellent towards the end as a record producer who digs the band's sound.
While the film is very slow in parts and does die down a couple of times...it is also an emotionally rich and complex film with a great narrative. Chase has proven himself once again with Not Fade Away by giving the audience a surprising film that works on many levels.
(4 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for pervasive language, some drug use and sexual content)
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