"Cane" is a Florida Cuban family drama strongly influenced by The Godfather Trilogy. Alex Vega (Jimmy Smits) is a well-meaning son-in-law who takes over the family rum business from patriarch Pablo (Hector Elizondo) to the dismay of son Frank (Nestor Carbonell). Like Michael Corleone, Alex seems to have good intentions but can't resist carrying them out via criminal acts, and falls in with a local Cuban mafioso, who is certain to exact his due in upcoming episodes. Like Fredo Corleone, Frank resents Alex and plots against him. And like Vito Corleone in retirement, Pablo is a magisterial presence, but can't bring himself to act decisively against one family faction or the other.
As in any series on broadcast TV, "Cane" has weaknesses--broad emotions, plot gaps, occasional lapses of logic. And there are so many commercials that the show would be unbearable without a DVR. But the acting is uniformly excellent (especially Rita Moreno as the family matriarch), the plots interesting and quirky, the production lavish, and the sound track excellent--especially if you're viewing in HD with 5.1 sound. Good show--I'll be back for next season.
As in any series on broadcast TV, "Cane" has weaknesses--broad emotions, plot gaps, occasional lapses of logic. And there are so many commercials that the show would be unbearable without a DVR. But the acting is uniformly excellent (especially Rita Moreno as the family matriarch), the plots interesting and quirky, the production lavish, and the sound track excellent--especially if you're viewing in HD with 5.1 sound. Good show--I'll be back for next season.