Television Reviews : ‘Revenge of Capone’ Riddled With Cliches

“The Revenge of Al Capone” (Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channels 4, 36 and 39), a new made-for-TV movie, takes up where the hit theatrical film “The Untouchables” left off--with the heinous title gangster on his way to a stiff prison sentence on a tax evasion rap.

It seems, however, that not even prison will stop Capone’s reign of terror in the Chicago underworld, as old Scarface himself continues to rule the mob with an iron fist from his rather unsupervised prison digs. Who will step into the fray and stop the madness? Good old Eliot Ness, we presume?

Wrong, Uzi-breath. This is a TV ratings “sweeps” period, after all, and Ness’ sacrosanct popular legend is just a tad too squeaky-clean to allow him to play protagonist when teaser commercials full of steamy sex are what’s called for. Thus, in this version of the tale, Ness (played by Scott Paulin) is only a supporting character--and seen as an uptight, by-the-rules sycophant of J. Edgar Hoover whose “prima donna” rigidity stands in the way of true justice.

The “real” hero: Fellow Treasury Dept. special agent Michael Rourke (Keith Carradine), who is no less righteous in his abhorrence of corruption but who isn’t above jumping into the sack with a seemingly sweet gun moll (Debrah Farentino) for a little prime-time adultery. Rourke will pay for his indiscretion, of course, but not before the ratings points are in.

“Revenge” intends to be taken as ironic romantic tragedy as well as bloody gangland saga, and comes up short all over. In Tracy Keenan Wynn’s perfunctory script (directed by Michael Pressman), Rourke’s deteriorating marriage and family life is sketched in much the same way as his blossoming affair with a speakeasy hostess: briefly, and entirely in cliches.

What’s most needed, of course, is a galvanizing Capone capable of inspiring obsession on either side of the law--a la the bat-wielding Robert De Niro of “The Untouchables.” What’s offered is appropriately rabid but never believable scenery-chewing from Ray Sharkey. This Capone--especially in his last, disease-ravaged days, which frame the film’s flashbacks--resembles nothing so much as John Belushi’s or Chris Elliott’s late-night comedy takes on Brando.

“Revenge” is an offer that can be refused.