Jackson Ball presents his five essential James Gandolfini films…
Just two weeks ago the news broke about the tragic passing of James Gandolfini. The actor, aged just 51, suffered a fatal heart attack on June 19, while vacationing in Italy.
Obviously, Gandolfini was best known for bringing life to the character of Tony Soprano on HBO’s ground-breaking drama The Sopranos. Such was the quality of his performance, that it is easy to forget that he also had a successful career on the big screen, as well as on television. Behind all the Emmys (Gandolfini won three while playing the famous Mafioso), there was a committed, talented and ultimately underrated screen actor.
Tony Soprano may cast a big shadow, but here are five more Gandolfini roles that showcase and exemplify the actor’s natural abilities…
5. The Mexican (2001, dir. Gore Verbinski)
Gandolfini plays Winston, a hired hitman tasked with hunting down the hapless hero Jerry (Brad Pitt), while keeping his girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) as a hostage. Here we see the actor fall into his natural type-cast as ‘the bad guy with a heart’, as Winston forms a tender friendship with Samantha over the course of the film. In the hands of a less capable actor, Winston could have turned out to be just another one-dimensional tough guy, but it’s Gandolfini’s honest and grounded performance that gives the character a real likable depth.
4. Killing Them Softly (2012, dir. Andrew Dominik)
Another film alongside Brad Pitt and another hitman role for Gandolfini. As Mickey Fallon – a lustful, alcoholic contract-killer – he doesn’t really have a lot of ground to make the character engaging or likable. However, in a film of long pauses and quiet menace, it is James Gandolfini’s subtlety that makes him so engaging to watch here. Once again, it is his decision-making that makes his performance memorable. He knows just when to let it out and when to rein it in.
3. In the Loop (2009, dir. Armando Iannucci)
A refreshing change of pace this one, as Gandolfini is given a chance to flex his comedy muscles. Taking the much beloved (and inherently British) sitcom The Thick of It and sending it across the Atlantic for a spin-off movie may have been a risky move, but the transition is made all the smoother by the great performances from the Americans in the cast. Gandolfini shows us he has a natural gift for comic timing, whilst still bringing his considerable screen presence as Lt. Gen. George Miller. My favourite example of this is the hilarious scene in which he adds up important military numbers on a little girl’s talking toy calculator.
2. True Romance (1993, dir. Tony Scott)
Back in his safe-zone, Gandolfini plays yet another grizzled hardman. This time as a much more unpleasant character: Virgil. The role is yet another example of the subtlety in the actor’s arsenal. A quiet and disgruntled character, Virgil has off-the-scale levels of menace, always hinting at an explosive and violent temper lurking within. This is showcased in what is one the film’s tensest scenes. Having caught up with Alabama (Patricia Arquette), Virgil corners her in a hotel room. Moving slowly toward her he says, “Let me see those eyes…What a face!” before delivering a mean right hook. Terrifying stuff.
1. Where the Wild Things Are (2009, dir. Spike Jonze)
This will seem like an odd choice to those who have not seen the film (and possibly to some that have), but in a way it perfectly represents the lack of appreciation James Gandolfini received in his film career. For an actor who was so pigeonholed by his intimidating appearance and menacing presence, it is very telling that one of his finest performances relies on nothing but his voice. Distinctive though his voice maybe, it really is a testament to Gandolfini’s talents that he is able to bring a fascinating character to life that is so against his usual typecast. As Carol the Wild Thing, he channels all the care-free gusto and confused vulnerability of an unruly child. His performance is the crowning achievement of what is a heart-wrenching and insightful film, enjoyable for both adults and children alike.
Agree? Disagree? As always we’d love to hear your comments…
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Originally published July 4, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
