Not Fade Away

In this powerful coming-of-age drama, a group of ’60s suburban youths start a rock band, much to the chagrin of their traditionally minded parents., A group of ’60s suburban youths start a rock band, much to the chagrin of their traditionally minded parents., Sopranos mastermind David Chase’s autobiopgraphically-tinged drama Not Fade Away stars John Magaro as Douglas, a music-obsessed New Jersey high-school senior who quickly abandons his thoughts of joining the military when he hears the British Invasion, especially the raw blues swagger of the young Rolling Stones. He begins drumming in local bands with his buddies and, over the course of summer and winter breaks home from college, fights with his gruff dad (James Gandolfini), tries to win the heart of a girl he’s been crushing on since forever, and keeps his dreams of being a rock star alive. As the sixties unfold, Douglas’ band finally catches the break they’ve been looking for, but internal fighting threatens to sink the group.