Cane: How Can Something So Sugary Taste So Bland?
Roberto D'Este/CBS
"Sugar is the new oil," says rum-family scion Alex (Jimmy Smits) on CBS's Cane. Which is a not so subtle way of trying to tell the viewer, "Cane is the new Dallas."
It's not, but let's indulge them for a minute and continue the parallel. It's also a rich-family saga, but in this case, the family is the Duques, a Cuban American clan that runs a successful rum empire in Florida. The Bobby-J.R. rivalry, among "brothers" struggling to take over the business from ailing patriach Pancho (Hector Elizondo), are Frank (Nestor Carbonell), Pancho's natural son, and Alex (Jimmy Smits), Pancho's son-in-law, who has ingratiated his way into Pancho's heart. They clash over a proposal from a rival family to buy out their sugar fields. Frank wants to sell, arguing that the family can make rum by buying molasses and shouldn't be in the farming business; Alex wants to keep the fields, because sugar cane may become a valuable source of ethanol, hence the "new oil" quote.
If that discussion of the future of the sugar industry got you excited, well, boy howdy are you in for a wild ride! Otherwise, Cane is (judging from the pilot, all that CBS sent) a tedious stiff retread of soap staple plots, relying on a bit of Spanglish and local color (mojitos, baseball) for novelty. Smits is a big part of the problem. He's a limited actor, most convincing at playing anger (the easiest emotion to portray), and in his non-angry scenes comes off as either peevish or simply stiff. (He's also, judging by the contextual clues in the script, about ten years too old for the role.) He can't take the blame alone--the dialogue hamstrings a strong cast of actors including Elizondo, Carbonell and Rome's Polly Walker--but the scenes that are meant to establish Alex as a patient, sympathetic father, husband and good guy come across phony.
Alex is not meant to be entirely a good guy--or, at least, we see that he's capable of pulling off some rough stuff to protect his family--so he may evolve into a more interesting character and Cane into a more memorable show. I don't see much hope for that, though. The overserious Cane is neither inventive enough to have its own voice, nor joyfully campy enough to embrace its cliches and have fun with them. Does it look like the new Dallas? Maybe after a few mojitos.
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1
I can't even see the billboards for this show without the following, immortal quote popping into my head:
"In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -Homer Simpson, Ep.1F17
Suffice it to say, I won't be tuning in.
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2
A pitifull knock off of the Godfather and Scarface. Very poor first showing; did not hold my interest, and I think it will be very short lived.
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3
Your comments were hilarious James, loved it. Especially "I don't see much hope for that, though" and "Maybe after a few mojitos". Sums it up perfectly and with undeniable wit.
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4
Loved your comments - I totally agree! I admire Jimmy Smitts and couldn't wait to see him back in a series. The promos look very promising but I was very disappointed in the pilot. I was very turned off by his character's evil-doing. I, too, found myself comparing it to Dallas but I don't remember JR ever having someone actually killed. Victor Cefuentes (sp?) and Bobby Simone wouldn't approve at all! I won't be watching another episode.
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5
Never Judge A Show By it's Pilot: Cane.
I have a couple thoughts about the new CBS drama Cane. First of all I am exited to see a show with an all Latino cast on network television (George Lopez couldn't hold down the fort forever). Secondly, I would watch anything with Hector Elizondo and Rita Moreno. From what I read about the show, looks like it's greatly inspired by nighttime soaps like Dallas but instead of Texas oil its Cuban rum.
I watched the pilot and it does remind me a little bit of Dallas with a hint of The Godfather. The show features the internal and external struggles that play out when running a family and a family business. There is infighting within the Duque family when patriarch Pancho (Hector Elizondo) learns that he has six months to live and divides the family business amongst his children Frank Duque (Nestor Carbonell), Henry Duque (Eddie Matos), Isabel Vega (Paola Turbay ) and Alex Vega (Jimmy Smits). Pancho gave thirty percent of the business to each of his natural born children and ten percent to his adopted son Alex. Since Alex is married to Isabel he now holds control of the company. Frank resents what his father did but Pancho felt that Frank has been distracted lately by girls and boats. The Duque family's sugar business has had a long business rivalry with the Samuels family's sugar business. The Samuels want the Duque's sugar cane fields. Frank's wanting the family to sell off the sugar end of the business and concentrate solely on rum is greatly influenced by an affair he is having with Ellis Samuels (Polly Walker). The show should have a broad appeal. It has many of the classic elements of good story telling, man vs. man, brother vs. brother, father vs. son, all set in front of a Latin background. I am optimistic that the show won't resort to some of the stereotypical soap opera conventions like evil twins, people returning from the dead and whole seasons being dismissed as a dream.
The next episode continues with more murder, betrayal and sex. In other words business as usual. Unlike J.R. Ewing, Alex Vega does not mind getting his hands dirty. When a disgruntled blackmailing employee sent Alex a scorpion that bit his wife, Alex beat him up himself. I hope that the audience gives the show a chance and does not just dismiss it as just another nighttime soap. The show could be enjoyed more if while watching you have a good cigar in one hand and a glass of fine (Puerto Rican) rum in the other.
To quote Alex Vega, "Sugar is the new oil".
Stay Tuned
Tony Figueroa
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 6 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 7 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 8 hours ago
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