Monday 27 July 2020

The Sopranos - Season 1 (1999 David Chase)

A great idea - a mobster with a family, and all the attendant problems, seeks psychiatric help.

Great acting all around: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco (won 2000 Golden Globe, as did Gandolfini, Marchand and the series), Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Vincent Pastore, Steven Van Zandt, Robert Iler, Jamie-Lynn Seigler, Nancy Marchand (Tony's horrible mother), John Ventigmilia (Artie), Kathrine Narducci (his wife), Jerry Adler (Hesh), Drea de Matteo, Oksana Lada (Tony's goomah), Matt Servitto (Agent Harris).

Gandolfini was brought in after someone in casting spotted him in True Romance. Bracco was originally thought of as Carmela, but she had played a similar character in Goodfellas and thought the role of Melfi would be more challenging.

Also caught schifosa (ugly woman) sfacim (South Italian, semen, or bastard), oobatz (crazy).

Photographed by Alik Sakharov, Phil Abraham.

Features some great dream scenes.

Much reference to The Godfather, both directly and indirectly.



Hit on Tony is a great scene - though it's a good job they are totally unprofessional. In hospital, the irony of the sign wasn't lost on me:


We liked the band Adriana was managing, Visiting Day (songs written for the episode). And the scene where Tony comes in blind drunk because he's managed to do the right thing for a change.

One of the best things ever seen on American television, and in a way, an inspiration for Peaky Blinders. Produced by HBO.

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