James Gandolfini – Top 10 Roles

I haven’t done anything like this before really. Whilst I’m busy behind the scenes purging my site of the IMDb reviews, I just couldn’t let the sad news of James Gandolfini passing away without offering my thoughts on it.

In the spookiest of coincidences, I was sat at home watching The Incredible Burt Wonderstone when my phone went. It was my friend telling me Tony Soprano had died. I jumped straight online and sure enough, the news was everywhere. You know when there are those celeb death hoaxes, well this time I hoped it was another one. Sadly it’s not, and the big man really is gone.

I just wanted to put something in print really about him and how much his performances meant to me. So I came up with this list, and I offer you my personal top 10 performances and roles James Gandolfini gave the world. Some you may not have seen, others you will have done. You may not agree, or think other films of his should have made the cut. And that’s fine, please shout out in the comments below. However this list is my personal top 10. I know a lot of my family and friends know him simply as the guy from that gangster show I am obsessed with. There was more to him than that, and he excelled either in bit parts or as the lead. Here are my personal highlights, with the notable exception of Killing Them Softly, as I’m yet to see it. Some fan I am………

#10 – Welcome to the Rileys (2010) 

Douglas Lloyd ‘Doug’ Riley

Playing the kind, caring man looking out for a stripper (Kristen Stewart), Doug shows a softer side to Gandolfini that he wanted to make more films in the mould of. He wanted to get away from the angry man who beat up women, and here he puts in a sweet performance that wasn’t seen by too many people if box office takings are anything to go by. Stewart tends to be like marmite, and people avoid her movies. Not only is she excellent (and nearly naked) here, but her relationship with Gandolfini is touching, poignant, and more than deserving of your time.

#9 – The Last Castle (2001)

Col. Winter

The role of Col. Winter came as Gandolfini’s star was rising. After a couple of years on The Sopranos, here he is as second billing behind Robert Redford. Playing the angry, smug prison ruler, he puts in an assured but memorable performance. The film is good, nothing spectacular but a sure sign of better things to come and bigger movie roles.

#8 – Surviving Christmas (2004)

Tom Valco

Ok, so this might not make many peoples lists of top anything. Bottom 10 maybe. I don’t like romantic films, or cheesy rom coms. I have no sentimental side that loves a cosy Christmas movie. Yet I love Surviving Christmas and watch it every year. Sure, maybe Ben Affleck is a guilty pleasure of mine, but there is only 1 reason I watched this, and still enjoy it to this day; James Gandolfini. Not only does he put in a fun performance and show his comedy side, he has an incredible beard. Couldn’t be further from his Tony Soprano role here, and I just remember hoping he wouldn’t do many more films like this, but as a stand alone, I do love me some Surviving Christmas.

#7 – The Mexican (2001) 

Winston Baldry

Mob related, starring alongside Brad Pitt & Julia Roberts, you can see why he did this movie. Sure, it was a little weird seeing him as a gay hitman so soon after The Sopranos hit the big time, but he is fantastic as Winston, and I loved his relationship with Julia Roberts, who was less annoying than usual thankfully. I even went to the cinema to watch this, with my wife. For different reasons, obviously she was there to perve on Brad Pitt, whilst I was there to see more of James Gandolfini and his blossoming Hollywood career.

#6 – Lonely Hearts (2006) 

Det. Charles Hilderbrandt

This movie took a beating at the box office, but what a cast it boasts!! John Travolta, Salma Hayek, my other man crush Jared Leto and of course Mr Gandolfini. I was very excited to see this, and again it warranted a trip to the cinema. It was released around the last season (before the split) of The Sopranos, and whilst I was upset that was coming to an end, seeing him face off against actors of this calibre and in a film this good (I loved it anyway) I knew this wasn’t the last we were going to see of him. True story, murders, deceit, Jared Leto and more importantly Gandolfini, what more could a guy ask for?! If you haven’t checked out Lonely Hearts, you really should!

#5 – Get Shorty (1995)

Bear

This role came a few years before The Sopranos, and up until this point he wasn’t really a known face. Sure, he had been in some great movies, but more often than not he was in a small supporting role. In this scene stealing performance, Gandolfini is sublime and Bear is such a great character. The first time I saw Get Shorty I had no idea who the guy playing Bear was, but I couldn’t help but be impressed. It’s even more impressive seeing the film now knowing what I know. I refuse to believe a sequel to this was ever made by the way……Be Cool indeed.

#4 – 8MM (1999)

Eddie Poole

I love 8mm (the sequel, not so much) and Nicholas Cage shows why he used to be so good. This is not a film for everyone, since it deals with the strange world of snuff movies. Looking past that, and whilst the film is full of random but excellent performances (Joaquin Phoenix bringing the crazy) Gandolfini as the sleazy talent scout showed a man on the brink of stardom. Critics were divided, but Roger Ebert liked it and if you can put up with dark stories and plots, then 8mm is an excellent movie.

#3 – Fallen (1998)

Lou

A year before The Sopranos was introduced to the world, Gandolfini appeared in Fallen. It stars Denzel Washington as Det. John Hobbes, who is convinced that when killer Edgar Reese, played by Elias Koteas (someone who deserves way more recognition) is executed, all of his troubles are over. But when people he knows and people on the street start to sing the same tune that Reese sang in the gas chamber, and those same people taunt him, he is told that maybe the cursed fallen angel Azazel is behind it all. Supported by John Goodman and of course the big man himself in a supporting role, Fallen really is a hidden gem. The plot may sound a little out there, and it is, but so worthy of your time and for my money one of the best twist endings I’ve ever seen.

#2 – True Romance (1993)

Virgil

I remember seeing True Romance within a few months of my epiphany moment (the time I saw Casino), and whilst you may be sceptical, I can honestly say watching the bathroom fight scene with Patricia Arquette not only broke my heart, but made me take notice of the guy beating her up. Little did I know this guy would go on and be so important to me, and before I grew up and got the internet, I had no way of keeping tabs on this actor. He was terrifying, and menacing, and not afraid to hurt a woman. He seemed to enjoy it. All these traits appeared in Tony Soprano near enough, and in my mind no performance of Gandolfini’s is as near to his Tony role as here with Virgil. A horrible man, yet a performance I couldn’t take my eyes off.

#1 – The Sopranos (1999–2007) 

Tony Soprano

Only last week (give or take) I asked you all what your favourite TV show was. I picked The Sopranos, and that was just one of the many occasions I’ve mentioned my love for that show on my site, and probably on some of yours. Watching that show gives me so many good memories. I watch all 6 seasons every year, without fail, and will continue to do so. It never gets old, or stale. Just perfect television. When it first started in 1999 I became obsessed with it. Cookbooks, games, Sopranos clothes, memorabilia – you name it I had it. I still wear tracksuits because that’s what those guys did. Tony was the epitome of cool mixed with bad, and if I could have joined his messed up family I would have done it in a heartbeat. James Gandolfini made this show. He credited the writing, but he is just incredible to watch and has given the world the greatest TV character of all time. Bar none. I was devastated when the show ended, but not as much as the news last night. Whether we would have got another series, or a prequel, or movie, who knows, it was just good to have hope knowing that maybe one day……..just maybe. Now, there is no chance. There is no Sopranos without THE Soprano – Tony.

There it is, my Top 10. It’s crudely written, and I’m not sure if I was reviewing the movie or talking about it. I probably said his name too much, or missed things out I’ll kick myself about later. What the hell. Just another tribute, but it’s my tribute, and I’d love to hear from other fans of his below what you’re favourite memories of James Gandolfini are. Or maybe what films you’re going to watch in his honour. I’m going True Romance & 8mm tonight I think. Thanks for reading folks.

Posted by Tysoncarter182 on June 20, 2013

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