Disdainful portrayal of James Gandolfini, iconic as Tony Soprano, in this unfavorable account of his life.
Everyone Loves a Good Comeback
Jim Gandolfini Unveiled: The Man Behind Tony Soprano
By Jason Bailey
It was a small role in a gritty 90s crime film, True Romance, that first caught biographer Jason Bailey's eye. The actor, James Gandolfini, played a vicious, threatening thug who beats up Patricia Arquette's character. The performance, however, was anything but one-dimensional. There was humor, nuance, and a layer of depth, showcasing Gandolfini's exceptional talent in a brief screen time.
Fast forward two decades, and readers would likely pick up Bailey's new biography, Gandolfini, for one reason: Tony Soprano. The HBO hit show that catapulted Gandolfini to stardom. Bailey's book provides a comprehensive look at the iconic series and the man who embodied its tough-as-nails gangster.
Interviews with series regulars, such as Edie Falco, Steven Van Zandt, Vincent Pastore, and Robert Iler reveal a complex and troubled individual behind the character. Gandolfini's battles with alcoholism on-set often caused disruptions, but his generous spirit and timely compliments endeared him to his co-stars.
But Bailey didn't just want to focus on the bad cop-good cop narrative. He aimed to show a different side of Gandolfini - the obsessive character actor who went the extra mile, fretting over lines and took on roles that challenged his tough-guy persona.
The role that stood out the most for Bailey was that of Albert in the 2013 romantic comedy Enough Said. The performance was a stark contrast to Tony Soprano, with its warmth, charm, and authenticity. Many have noted that the character mirrors Gandolfini's true persona - a kind and affable man who could be as much a bearded hippie as a menacing mobster.
Gandolfini's career was marked by choices both ironic and unexpected. He hesitated to play "Sammy the Bull" Gravano in the 1996 HBO movie Gotti, but at the last minute, he reneged. His decision to step away from Mafia roles fueled speculation and disappointment, especially from the film's executive producer, Gary Lucchesi, who swore Gandolfini would be blacklisted and never work again in the industry.
Despite the challenges, Gandolfini was remembered fondly by those who knew him. Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana on The Sopranos, called him a "big, lovable, insanely talented man." And yet, Gandolfini had a difficult time accepting compliments, often demonstrating an insecurity beneath his bravado.
Recalling an anecdote with Anthony Jr., who played Tony's son on the show, Bailey writes, "I hate to tell you, but he’d probably hate your book,” Iler told him. “Just because of how nice everyone is gonna be in it, and how much we’re gonna talk about how much we love him and how incredible he is. He’s so pissed right now."
Enough Said provided a rare and poignant glimpse of Gandolfini's true self, an immensely talented actor finally playing a character that aligned with his compassionate and authentic personality. A fitting swan song for an artist lost too soon, the performance remains a testament to Gandolfini's ability to transcend the limitations of typecasting and showcase his remarkable range.
References:[1] Goodstein, L. (2013, June 20). Remembering James Gandolfini. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/20/arts/television/remembering-james-gandolfini.html[2] "Enough Said." IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2217356/awards/[3] "review: "Enough Said," starring James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. (2013, September 19). https://www.stltoday.com/artslife/movies/review-enough-said-starring-james-gandolfini-and-julia-louis-dreyfus/article_8a7bba34-40dd-5176-9dc4-2123c3c83a1b.html
- In a gritty 90s crime film, True Romance, Gandolfini's exceptional talent was showcased in a brief screen time, setting the stage for his future roles in California's entertainment industry.
- Tony Soprano, the iconic character Gandolfini portrayed in HBO's hit show, created a buzz that made Bailey's new biography, Gandolfini, a must-read for fans of pop-culture and movie enthusiasts.
- Despite battles with alcoholism on-set, Gandolfini's co-stars were charmed by his generous spirit and timely compliments, demonstrating that even a menacing mobster can be defenseless against human kindness.
- While Gandolfini was known for his Mafia roles, his career was marked by surprising choices, such as refusing to play "Sammy the Bull" Gravano in the 1996 HBO movie Gotti, which eventually led to speculation and disappointment.
- In a stark contrast to Tony Soprano, Gandolfini's role as Albert in the 2013 romantic comedy Enough Said highlighted his warmth, charm, and authenticity, showcasing his remarkable range as an actor.
- Celebrities, bookstores, and entertainment news outlets praised Gandolfini's performance in Enough Said, focusing on how the character aligns with his compassionate and authentic personality, which was often hidden behind his tough-guy persona.
- Years after his untimely death, Gandolfini's movie roles continue to remind us of his insanely talented presence in the entertainment world, while his portrayal in Bailey's biography serves as a tribute to a complex and troubled individual who mesmerized audiences with his abilities on television.
