The Sopranos - How James Gandolfini Embodied Tony Soprano

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Күн бұрын

This video essay analyzes James Gandolfini's performance as Tony Soprano in HBO's The Sopranos. This is a breakdown of the emotional range of actor James Gandolfini, examining specific scenes and unique qualities he gave to the perfect anti-hero character, Tony Soprano.
PATREON: / justanobservation
FAIR USE NOTICE:
This video may contain copyright material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is made available under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, review, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that otherwise might be infringing. All rights belong to its owners.
Music used:
Captain by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena
Breatha by Josh Pan
Hydra by Huma-huma
Falling Rain by Myuu
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake Theme by Leo Symphony Orchestra (Shutterstock)
&
Elf Meditation Preview by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
Timestamps:
0:00 James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano
3:32 Body Language, Battling Emotion, Breathing
8:51 Emotional Range/Scene Analysis
#tonysoprano #jamesgandolfini #thesopranos

Пікірлер: 250

@nicholasspevak4952 2 жыл бұрын

As evil as Tony was, you have to give him credit; He saved alot of small dogs when killed Christofuh.

@cloudbloom 2 жыл бұрын

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE A PET!

@baptizednblood6813 2 жыл бұрын

And writers… and fiancé’s

@pereirafernando7413 2 жыл бұрын

He probably saved that entire lineage.

@scottyrotty 2 жыл бұрын

But let us remember no matter how many times he tried He could never be ready to match a man with the makings of a varsity athlete Small hands was his problem

@MisterMcKinney 2 жыл бұрын

She got suffocated or something

@ericdelmar2618 2 жыл бұрын

Was thrilled to see your exploration of the Sopranos. Tony's breathing was always a core dimension of his character. We all lost Gandolfini too soon, but honestly, he gave us Tony Soprano, a role that defined the series, and brought forth Gandolfini's mastery of the acting craft. Long after Gandolfini's passing, people with research this man, amazed at what he brought to this role.

@SuperBrosHQ 2 жыл бұрын

Gandolfini and Bryan Cranston undoubtly delivered the 2 best acting perfomances in Tv-history. Bryan Cranston as Walter White and James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano are the best casted film/tv roles ever imo

@Johnnysmithy24 2 жыл бұрын

Cranston’s phone call in Ozymandias is a rainbow of different emotions. He has to act as a person who is acting evil and threatening while showing extreme sadness at the same time

@httm241 2 жыл бұрын

Jason Bateman in Ozark would be up there to

@SuperBrosHQ 2 жыл бұрын

@@httm241 he's great but I'm sorry he's not in the same league

@SuperBrosHQ 2 жыл бұрын

@@Johnnysmithy24 and there are still people who think even to this day *spoiler for breaking bad* that Walt meant what he said to sykler when in reality he was just trying to help her and get her out of the situation. Like u said the acting is phenomenal

@iTechmen1 2 жыл бұрын

Only other one i would put in the same league is Jon Hamm as Don Draper. Also another antihero

@williamstevenson6387 Жыл бұрын

Watching this makes me very sad he's gone. He was brilliant.

@jesuspernia8031 2 жыл бұрын

James Gandolfini is a top 3 actor of all time. Non negotiable

@galesito1733 2 жыл бұрын

I love the way Tony breathed loudly through his nose when he was eating, it got louder if he was angry. I also love the way he'd start a therapy session talking with maudlin sentimentality and, within a few minutes, he'd go through a range of emotions that usually ended with rage. It says a lot about his acting ability that the audience could love such a monster.

@generichuman2044 2 жыл бұрын

Picking the right actor for an anti hero is massively important and the writers absolutely nailed it here. I hope James' family can take some comfort knowing he will be remembered forever after giving one of the greatest performances ever in an incredible show.

@johnny5805 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful exploration of the greatest actor in history.

@wadewilson8011 2 жыл бұрын

Two of the best actors of all time who never need to say a single word. Robert De Niro and James Gandolfini both have the ability to act with their facial expressions.

@geniosityfilms 2 жыл бұрын

Truly, not enough can be said about one of the greatest talents in the history of the motion picture.

@kristinalfc5846 Жыл бұрын

Greatest performance ever put to screen imo..Alan Sepinwall has said that when it comes to TV drama acting, there is Gandolfini and then there is everyone else

@jesseorange412 2 жыл бұрын

I started watching The Sopranos because of you! It's insane how well the show has aged considering it's almost as old as I am

@residentelect 2 жыл бұрын

@Rachel Orange When you have made it through The Sopranos, check out The Wire. It's another fantastic show which has aged remarkably well despite it starting in 2002. Also the casting of key characters in each season is perfect. I'd also reccomend Peaky Blinders and Line of Duty if you fancy giving some British shows a watch 👍

@TrumpFanNetwork2 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t seen the others but I agree, THE WIRE is must see television. You have to give it full attention though. It’s writing and being in touch with details have not been outmatched.

@dingdongism Жыл бұрын

@@residentelect I never made it past season 2 of The Wire. Could you give me some sort of justification for what they did in season 2, and maybe some inspiration for revisiting the show and powering past the second season? I really want to see what all the hype is about.

@rijulchhabra1725 Жыл бұрын

@@dingdongism Season 4 will answer it all.

@aliensconfirmed3498 Жыл бұрын

@@dingdongism The Wire is slow and detailed portrayal of how the city of Baltimore functions for all its crime, police operations, politics, education and lots of stuff. Although about the Baltimore city, it can be applied to many modern societies in general. It lacks conventional entertainment formulas like humour or intense action so not everyone has to like it. In terms of the sheer amount of information it throws at you(surface level or deeper and subtle) it's second only to The Sopranos in my experience. Only real weakness of the show is a bad season 5. The ending itself is good but everything else in the season is mediocre or bad. As far as whether you should watch it further or not.. it's all about your preference. If you liked season 1 then with season 3 the show is back with earlier drugs and crime and stuff but it doesn't surpass season 1. Season 4 has some different stuff which is all good but again some people like some may not. But the only universally disliked season is season 5. All other are good so it's only subjective.

@Gigibaby88 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this. I dated someone who was friends with Mr. Gandolfini and he would tell me over & over again, "you can't imagine how different he is from Tony Soprano." He also said he was one of the kindest & most authentic people he knew. The guy I dated was constantly around celebrities and was "friends" with many of them but I never heard him speak as highly of any of them as Mr. Gandolfini. I actually just watched The Sopranos for the first time & am now a hard-core fan. It's nice to know on a personal level what a great guy he was though I don't think I ever actually met him myself (if I did it was in passing and not memorable to me since I wasn't a Sopranos fan then). But anyway, yeah he played the hell out of that role. Iconic indeed.

@nxrada Жыл бұрын

nobody cares

@Gigibaby88 Жыл бұрын

@@nxrada except the 5 ppl who liked my post 🤷‍♀️

@therealkendallroy 11 ай бұрын

@@nxrada you dont*

@RaVisions 2 жыл бұрын

Love the sopranos videos. More people really need to experience this amazing show

@hippiecheezburger5457 2 жыл бұрын

Gandolfini is arguably the greatest actor of all time. There is just too much to remember about The Sopranos, it just doesn’t get old

@15Candles 6 ай бұрын

I recommend you check out "Enough Said" a more light hearted acting from Gandolfini in a dramedy movie that's absolutely great. It was (I think) one of his final roles before his death

@drewpowers7236 Жыл бұрын

I was in on The Sopranos from day 1. Was a real treat to watch it all unfold every Sunday night. As I've aged to be the same age Gandolfini was during the show, the awe factor I hold for the acting of James Gandolfini is beyond simple explanation. He is so good that it would take an intervention of people who actually knew James Gandolfini to convince me he was actually acting. It's so believable and this video does a great job of breaking down all the nuance he brought to the role

@peterlfc1387 2 жыл бұрын

Great analysis on James Gandolfini. He’s the reason the Sopranos is the greatest show that’s ever been made. Yes the writing is superb but him as an actor sold the show. He was that good of an actor that you believe he’s a real person. Every scene he’s in is brilliant because it’s like a person with real emotions. Gandolfini’s appearance was very important to the character coming to life. He’s fat, bald and not a leading actor type.

@frankmarx8997 2 жыл бұрын

The writing , directing , cinematography , of the Sopranos makes a great performance, incredible .

@bilyanatomova7677 Жыл бұрын

Chris helping Tony clean the body, while he is high was one of the funniest scenes in this series.

@layna-heyhey Жыл бұрын

As an actress of over 20 years, I was often told that I play in one key, and the harder I tried to show my intent at range the more I got that criticism. That being said, I love how observant these breakdowns of actors are. Lol I wish the more I watch them, the more the skill rubs off onto me.

@wherezmemallet4879 2 жыл бұрын

I can never get enough of the sopranos. Best show ever.

@caseyfalconer7347 2 жыл бұрын

Same! It’s my addiction

@naf8787 2 жыл бұрын

R.I.P James

@babyshambler 2 жыл бұрын

JG really was a fucking excellent actor, wasn't he.

@SteveLaneGalway 2 жыл бұрын

Well done man. This was an outstanding analysis. I've often pored over and replayed the "I GET IT!!!" scene in the desert that you referred to in your video, of him crying and laughing at the same time. What a master he was.

@tidepride86 Жыл бұрын

David Chase said it best that there was a lot of sadness in Gandolfinis eyes

@cloudbloom 2 жыл бұрын

Best tv series I've ever seen and it gets better on rewatches

@samuelault4723 11 ай бұрын

Tony soprano is the greatest fictional character ever created

@dislecsyk991 Жыл бұрын

I'm just watching this series for the first time, on s6e07 now, and said to my girlfriend the other day "He's very good at opening and closing doors". One of the many subtle ways he conveys mood and emotion.

@steelheader316 2 жыл бұрын

Simply the greatest acting performance of all time.

@isaackmojica8302 Жыл бұрын

Truly a lifetime performance that is still an enigmatic character and so much to learn .....what an actor!!!

@roseyc.5846 Жыл бұрын

ICONIC. Yes, and, I doubt that ANYONE could have portrayed Tony better. RIP, Jimmy..you were the very BEST! 🙏🏻❤️🌹

@calvinfolan1736 Жыл бұрын

Gandolfini was such an amazing actor that I honestly believe he could've retired after this and still be considered one of the greatest actors ever.

@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto 2 жыл бұрын

The first show I truly fell in love with.

@RedmiNote-qj6ch Жыл бұрын

Enormous love for James Gandolfini! He was a one of a kind!

@EddyTheMartian 2 жыл бұрын

Arguably the best performance of all time. Which others come close?

@evangelionl0vr857 2 жыл бұрын

Bryan Cranston as Walter White (Breaking Bad) Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey (The Leftovers) Rami Malek as Elliot Anderson (Mr. Robot) Of these I think only Rami Malek truly captures his "characters" essence as well as James Gandolfini did. If you're looking at a pure acting performance, Justin Theroux was absolutely incredible. Bryan Cranston was really good at both these things, albeit not as singularly good at either as the other two. James Gandolfini is the only one I've seen who did both just as good as Rami Malek and Justin Theroux that is why I say his performance was the best I've ever seen.

@esprocsllib 2 жыл бұрын

@@evangelionl0vr857 lol, putting rami malek at the same level as Gandolfini xddddd wtf

@evangelionl0vr857 2 жыл бұрын

@@esprocsllib Clearly you haven't seen Mr. Robot.

@evangelionl0vr857 Жыл бұрын

@Goofy I wasn't even responding to you man. And Yes, Elliot's acting is up there with those two 100%.

@homie4327 Жыл бұрын

James Spader as Ray Reddington

@howbizarre4198 Жыл бұрын

I miss him so much, both the character and the man

@Strathclydegamer Жыл бұрын

Comment for the algorithm. Loved this, loved the Sopranos and was enthralled by James Gandolfini and everyone else who made this iconic piece of tv history what it was and is. Your accent and speech style is very easy to like and your insights are excellent.

@billlangan97 Жыл бұрын

Terrific breakdown of the brilliance of a great actor's craft, in this case the amazing James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano: thank you.

@linnm1358 Жыл бұрын

This was wonderfully done. Thank you!

@LouiseAndersen1991 2 жыл бұрын

You really get better and better with each video. I have been following you for a while and each video is interesting, engaging and amazing to watch. It also helps, that you have a really good voice - a voice that fits videos to voice over. Keep up the good work

@JustanObservation 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Louise!

@CircuitRider 2 жыл бұрын

Instant subscribe. Awesome work, thanks.

@j4ward95 2 жыл бұрын

I love your videos on Tony Soprano, he is imo the greatest television character ever created and these videos showed so much insight and it makes it even better to go back and watch. The Breathing part of the video was absolutely incredible. After watching these videos I can whole officially say that Tony Soprano never had the makings of a varsity athlete.

@chrisblack__ 2 жыл бұрын

This analysis is spot on. Great videos man, love your channel.

@bombayfanatics 2 жыл бұрын

I been watching this series currently and season 1 is almost gonna get over... Honestly, i was gonna ditch this show because in s1 nothing much was happening in terms of actual crime taking place. But after your analysis on gandolfini's acting, I think i am gonna see the whole show. Brilliant essay. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Truly inspiring ♥️♥️♥️

@muslim7608 2 жыл бұрын

i was born and raised in Paterson NJ. i knew exactly ever scene they shot in and around the city.

@timwhite5562 Жыл бұрын

Whenever people talk about actors being able to deliver dialog without words I always think of "The Lord's prayer," episode of Vikings. I watched the entire episode, but it wasn't until reading a review or recap of the episode a day after that I realized that the short scene when Athelstan told him the prayer was the only time throughout the entire episode that Ragnar uttered a single word. I didn't believe it when I read it, I actually had to go back to watch it again.

@wyatthill6252 2 жыл бұрын

I imagine if Tony were watching this he'd breath heavily and then throw whatever device he was watching this on against the wall.

@caseyfalconer7347 2 жыл бұрын

He would believe it’s a stereotype & it’s offensive.

@HarryBalz-mx3ss 4 ай бұрын

I truly love your work. I was totally blown away by the videos that you posted for the show Succession. Please keep up the good work. Thanks a million.😁👍🙋‍♂️

@thiagobusta 2 жыл бұрын

I aways cry when a watch your videos. What a work you do here, pal. Congratiolations for that. Youre the best on it.

@aroyaliota 2 жыл бұрын

An analysis worthy of it’s subject. 👏👏

@user-vz5jp6xg6p 2 жыл бұрын

I've heard analysis of the Ralph line, "What are you, a vegetarian? You eat beef and sausage by the f***'in car load!" as what really sealed his fate because it highlights hi hypocritical nature. Unwilling to confront the cognitive dissonance, Tony attacks Ralph. Interesting to theorize he was going to do that anyway.

@zloistudent2115 Жыл бұрын

James Gandolfini is the greatest actor in my opinion.

@cloudbloom 2 жыл бұрын

This was a fantastic analysis of Tony, great stuff dude

@howardron543 2 жыл бұрын

Best analysis like always

@kingjaydaps7649 2 жыл бұрын

Tony was the best if it wasn’t for him maybe I would of never been a fan of the show ,very underrated actor. Rip 🙏🏾🎥

@aliensconfirmed3498 Жыл бұрын

I always say stuff like Sopranos characters are written to incredible depth and even in simple scenes you can look at them and tell exactly what they are feeling or thinking. This is obviously more apparent in Tony's case. And I also say that it's largely because the writers understand the characters to minute details. I just took this from watching the show but the examples of scripts you showed exactly that. Loved the video for that alone, and rest is great too. Easily the best Sopranos analysis videos I have seen. You should make more, until you completely dissect the show(if that's even doable).

@Dylandontplay 2 жыл бұрын

Love your sopranos stuff!!!

@masterzombie161 2 жыл бұрын

The saddest thing about Tony is that he had moments where he could change not just him, but the Mafia lifestyle for the better. Unfortunately he never did control his destructive urges and it Brought him nothing but Darkness.

@JoshuaDyeActor 2 жыл бұрын

This was Excellent. Thank you 🙏

@sugartbube 21 күн бұрын

When an actor or TV plays like a documentary it's on a whole other level

@mrcoolakaasome123 2 жыл бұрын

This was a great analysis, lmao have watched The Sopranos twice already .. made me wanna watch it again 😂

@brandychatmon1826 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding Analysis

@icyBulls Жыл бұрын

Amazing observation!!

@coolaboolaa 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic analysis. Thank you so much. Rip james 🩷

@chriskelly4477 Жыл бұрын

One might think that breathing is not such a big contributing factor. , But it's a really big contributing factor....& Gandolfini did this brilliantly! He was on the level with BRANDO...FOR SURE!

@timwhite5562 Жыл бұрын

I never noticed the slight smirk that flashes when he suffocated Christopher. I definitely noticed the demonic glare, with his brow putting his eyes in shadow, but never that subtle smirk. I did notice the Darth Vader breathing with Ralph though.

@martindutton1645 2 жыл бұрын

I think the Sops was the last program I counted down the days to. WHAT a set of characters! Here in the U.K. one channel has the repeats on every day - even though if you’ve got the right set up you can access any episode from any series. Great analysis. At the time I was we were so bound up in Tony’s journey/ride all the physical gestures and tics just kept you in there - feeling like Tony S. Even though he was a high level gangster; whereas most of us are nothing like that. I hope. Or do I…….😉

@toroduro7170 2 жыл бұрын

I never have and never will see any of his other work, that’s how much I love the character Tony Soprano and Jim’s portrayal

@Kcashgunna 2 жыл бұрын

These are great man, keep em coming. sopranos forever GOAT

@Terentius25 2 жыл бұрын

I'd kill (pun intended) for your take on "The night of". Thought I would put it here as James Gandolfini was a Producer on the show. Love your content, so satisfying to see your breakdowns and explanations, it's very clever.

@sizwemhlongo6842 2 жыл бұрын

Spot on analysis. Let me subscribe

@vibinwpsilocybin1424 2 жыл бұрын

legendary show, it aired before i was even born.

@kaityehimba7509 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely genius synopsis of an absolutely genius show and iconic actor. Tony reminds me so much of my stepfather. Anyhow this was excellent thank you so much happy holidays ciao

@adz4528 Жыл бұрын

He really was amazing. I'm glad I finished the show recently so I could watch videos like these. I've been watching The Wire so I could later check out your vids on that as well.

@jamestrickingtonIII 2 жыл бұрын

Greatest acting performance of all time in my opinion.

@thedudeabides3138 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliantly insightful as always, thank you so much for your excellent essays. (I’d gladly support you, but I’m currently unemployed, suffice it to say though, as soon as that circumstance changes, you’ve a guaranteed Patreon supporter here).

@Robslondon 2 жыл бұрын

Great video.

@ironykills7101 7 ай бұрын

Really good vid

@Unti1tmrw 2 жыл бұрын

James and Bryan Cranston are the two greatest actors in the history of television. I’ve watched The Sopranos and Breaking Bad many times yet I can’t choose one over the other. Neither of them seem to be acting, they both are their characters.

@DeepakShakyaaa Жыл бұрын

thank you, its great hep

@rick-ry3kj Жыл бұрын

He was born to play that role.

@manav8353 Жыл бұрын

He really isn't like Tony Soprano at all. The amount of dedication this man put into playing Tony is just insane. Putting glass shards in his shoes to get angry, missing sleep to get more irritable w/ 16 hr workdays, keeping his weight up cause he didn't wanna lose the feel of Tony and his walk, etc. He had to connect with his inner demons to play a dark character like Tony, which must have taken so much out of him to do. It was told that he was constantly afraid of losing himself to Tony in his thoughts, cause he knew that James Gandolfini and Tony were not the same. The drug abuse, alcohol, and food probably also contributed to his early death.

@tidepride86 Жыл бұрын

Terry Winter is probably my favorite writer in Hollywood. I think he's consistently the greatest.

@andrewmerritt978 2 жыл бұрын

All of the other analyses I've seen of the sopranos pales in comparison to what you are doing. This is top notch

@batchagaloopytv5816 Жыл бұрын

beautifull darth vader point in the pie oh my and ralphie confrontation 👍🏻🤟🏻🫵🫵🇺🇸🥃

@lastking804 Жыл бұрын

Great content

@lanaranjadelrap6176 Жыл бұрын

Excelente video

@Dolphin._. 2 жыл бұрын

I'll tell you one thing and I'm not ashamed to say it. My estimation about Just An Observation, as a Observationalist, just freakin' Sky Rocketed!

@peregrintokes666 2 жыл бұрын

fucking brilliant throwing roses iconic so many pieces put together so many things i never noticed after how many watch thrus wow maybe that vader comparison will be the thing to finally get my dad to watch the sopranos

@joeenglishtv Жыл бұрын

Great interpretation by James Gandolfini 😍👌 By the way @justanobservation, wouldn't you like to make an observation on Eli Wallach es Tuco in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly?. It would be great if you did, and I'm sure most people here would love that too..🙏☺️

@profoundpronoun4712 Жыл бұрын

Really great show!!!

@MR-yi7ng 2 жыл бұрын

You really know what you are taking about!

@fmcny 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting content, as w/ Walter White. Looking forward to more of the same re: Don Draper, Dexter Morgan, etc.

@rijulchhabra1725 Жыл бұрын

Greatest show, Greatest acting!

@ferrarogui 2 жыл бұрын

Incridible !! Best show ever.

@marquesjohnson6359 2 жыл бұрын

These are really great analysis the sopranos is still one of my favorite shows tony is definitely one of the most complex multilayered characters I've ever seen I think Chris would be another great analysis he's the only character that was as complex multilayered as tony

@Farb_dk Ай бұрын

No way that Vader breathing wasn’t intentional. It’s so perfect

@OMARBellyg 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing

@bluecollarlit 2 ай бұрын

Very good video about a very good show.

@fergie42069 10 ай бұрын

rip to a fucken' legend

@johnfromvirginia3787 3 ай бұрын

The greatest scene, imho, of him going from 0 to 1000 was when Meadow told him about Coco. He was : Investigating, concerned, incredulous, furious and consoling -all in 60 seconds. You knew it wasn't gonna be a good day for Coco......