Who'll Play Frankie?

Edgar Ramirez

It may just become the biggest search in movie history since the hysterical "Who'll play Scarlett O'Hara" swept the American movie industry several generations ago. Or so I'd like to think.

But the question is, which contemporary actor could best cut it on celluloid as the late, local cult hero of Jersey City, Frankie DePaula.

The name Lillo Brancato was mentioned to me by several people during my research. But the ex-Sopranos actor is presently serving time in jail.

Another name cropping up is the Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez, star of the recent Olivier Assayas film, Carlos. Does he have the range, the audacity of spirit and "killa swag" to be Frankie?

Time, opportunity and the mystical resolution of fate will determine who plays what should in all justification be the most prized character lead role for a generation. Or so I'd like to think...

© Adeyinka Makinde (2010)