"The Last Don II" (1998) TV mini-series

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Graeme Clifford

Writers (WGA):

Mario Puzo (characters from the novel "The Last Don")
Joyce Eliason (written by)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

3 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Tagline:

Power. Passion. Betrayal. It's all in the family.

Plot:

As the elder don (Danny Aiello) dies, his young heir (Jason Gedrick) moves into the position. He quickly...

Plot Keywords:

Undercover | Autistic | Nanny | Family Relationships | Rival

Cast

Patsy Kensit

...

Josie Cirolia (1 episode, 1998)

Also Known As:

"Mario Puzo's The Last Don II" (USA) (complete title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some graphic violence and sexuality. (long version); Rated R for violence and some sexuality. (original version)

Runtime:

240 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:R (DVD rating) | USA:R (longer video version)

Filming Locations:

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Konigsberg/Sanitsky Company

Quotes:

Rosemary Clericuzio: My family doesn't have accidents!

Movie Connections:

Follows "The Last Don" (1997)

lighter than the original, yet surprisingly strong

The sequel to the wonderful "The Last Don" is a bit on the lighter but funnier side. Yet it works just as well. I have not seen the TV version, but the complete mini-series. It is longer (about 50 minutes) but I got more plot, more violence (the sequel is more graphic than the original) and oh, yes, more nudity (the first one had no nudity at all, and I should know since I watched the complete mini-series as well: four hours and a half). We get to admire the beauty of Andrew Jackson's buttocks. By the way, he is doing a very funny and successful imitation of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Most of the original cast returns. The only one who doesn't return is Daryl Hannah (who played Jason Gedrick's wife). She had been replaced by someone else, but it doesn't matter because her character is disposed off very quickly. Danny Aiello returns as the pivotal character, but he dies of old age (he was 86 years old) in the first 10 minutes. Even Joe Mantegna returns as Jason Gedrick's father, even if he was killed in the original movie. He comes in his son's dreams. Really. Give me a break. That it is the only thing that sounds shallow in this film. And again, the always fabulous Kirstie Alley comes back with a more important part: she falls in love for the first time in 30 years, with a Catholic priest nonetheless. And again her world crashes again, just when she was happy. Her last line in the movie is immortal. She tells Giorgio's future wife (Giorgio was her brother and one of her husband's killers): "I hope you will be just as happy as I was."

The sequel is a welcome continuation to the Clericuzio saga. If the Trimark bosses can hear me, bring on the third part. I can barely wait.

8/10.

P.S.: Does anyone know that "Last Don 2" was filmed in Toronto? I recognized one of the location in the movie. When Rose Marie comes to get her lover from the church, she goes to a church called "St. Cecilia Church". Well the location is very real because I pass almost every day by this church. Fellow Torontians, the church is located at the intersection of Annette St. & Pacific Ave.