James Gandolfiniwill forever be best known for his role onThe Sopranos, a series that fundamentallychanged the notion of “prestige television” forever.Although previous HBO shows likeOzhad certainly had a “water cooler effect,”The Sopranosproved to be an instantly iconic crime drama with some of the greatest characterization and performances in the history of the genre.The Sopranoswill always be the first projects his fans think of, butGandolfini also has an impressive catalog of film roles.
Gandolfini was a far more versatile actor than he was given credit for, as he appeared in a multitude of modern classics, many ofwhich fell outside the “gangster” genre.Gandolfini’s early death is tragic for many reasons, including the fact that he likely had several more great film performances left in him prior to any sort of retirement. Here are the ten best James Gandolfini performances, ranked.
10‘Get Shorty’ (1995)
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
Get Shortywas a film that was ahead of its time, as it satirized Hollywood productions by showing how they weren’t actually that different from the inner workings of a mafia operation. WhileJohn Travoltaearned unanimous praise for his role as the “fixer” Chili, Gandolfini ended up having a scene stealing role as Bear, an enforcer for the mob who had a heart of gold.
Gandolfini proved that he was worthy of sharing the screen with several acting heavyweights, asGet Shortyfeatured an extended ensemble cast that includedGene Hackman, Danny Devito, Rene Russo, andDelroy Lindoamong others. It was also a sign that he had a snarky sense of humor that would end up being well utilized throughout some ofhis more comedic projects; one of Gandolfini’s greatest gifts was that he could constantly subvert audience expectations.
Get Shorty
A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt, and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job.
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9‘The Drop’ (2014)
Directed by Michael Roskam
The Dropserved as the final film that Gandolfini appeared in, and it could not have been a more moving tribute to what he accomplished throughout his career in film. While it was another mafia-centric story,The Dropstarred Gandolfini as an aging gangster who has abandoned the life of crime, and reconnects with his cousin (Tom Hardy), who attempts to shape a new path for himself after falling in love with an enigmatic woman (Noomi Rapace).
Gandolfini was able to show sensitivity in a complex role, taking audiences by surprise, since they may have expected him to be more ruthless. His chemistry with Hardy is terrific, as despite looking nothing alike, it was entirely believable that the two characters were within the same family, and had grown to rely upon each other over the course of their entire lives.
Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deeply into the neighborhood’s past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living – no matter the cost.
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8‘Killing Them Softly’ (2012)
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Killing Them Softlyis one of the darkest and most cynical crime movies of the past few decades,asAndrew Dominikexplored the breakdownof a small criminal operation in the aftermath of a robbery on a card game. Gandolfini plays a career criminal who is faced with the unfortunate reality that he may have to go to prison, despite only recently being released.
Gandolfini nails the idiosyncratic dialogue that Dominik wrote, which verges between being highly realistic and slightly ethereal, and borderline existential.Killing Them Softlyhas a stacked cast of great actors that includesBrad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Sam Shepard, Ben Mendelsohn, Ray Liotta,andRichard Jenkinsamong others, but it would be hard not to argue that Gandolfini was the complete scene-stealer. It’s easily one of the most vulnerable, and surprisingly emotional, performances that he has ever given.
Killing Them Softly
7‘Enough Said’ (2013)
Directed by Nicole Holofcener
Enough Saidwas proof that Gandolfini couldalso be a great romantic comedy star, as the chemistry he has withJulia Louis-Dreyfusis enough to makeNicole Holofcener’s charming, slice-of-life dramedy a borderline modern classic. While uncomfortable at times,Enough Saidtakes a very grounded approach to what dating looks like for middle-aged people.
Gandolfini proves to be effortlessly charming, as he plays a sensitive man who isn’t exactly sure how to admit his feelings. Although the film ultimately takes itself seriously, Gandolfini is able to use his physicality to his advantage, particularly in a few scenes in which he performs some slapstick humor. It was obviously going to be very hard for Gandfolini to create a character that didn’t remind audiences of Tony Soprano, butEnough Saidproved just how versatile he was, and easily ranks as the greatest romantic comedy that he ever appeared in.
Enough Said
A divorced woman who decides to pursue the man she’s interested in learns he’s her new friend’s ex-husband.
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6‘Where The Wild Things Are’ (2009)
Directed by Spike Jonze
Where The Wild Things Arewasa very ambitious adaptation of a children’s fantasy novelthat proved once again whySpike Jonzeis one of the most ambitious storytellers of his generation. The film centers on the young boy Max (Max Records), who avoids spending time with his mother (Catherine Keener) and her new boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) by retreating into a fantasy world in which his imagination comes to life.
Gandolfini voices a soft-hearted creature named Carolwho ends up being the best friend that Max has. The dynamic between the two is certainly the heart of the film, as both characters end up inspiring each other to become more confident and prideful in their appearances.Where the Wild Things Aremay be aimed at children, but the themes of perseverance and self-respect are relevant to audiences of all ages.
Where the Wild Things Are
A young boy named Max, feeling misunderstood at home, runs away and sails to an island inhabited by wild creatures. As he becomes their king, Max learns valuable lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the complexities of emotions, realizing that home may not be so bad after all.
5‘The Man Who Wasn’t There’ (2001)
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
The Man Who Wasn’t Therewas theonly film that Gandolfini made with Joel and Ethan Coen,and it’s a shame that they weren’t able to collaborate more often. The film is certainly inspired by the classic noir films ofAlfred Hitchcock, and centers on a manipulative barber (Billy Bob Thorton) who ends up being involved in a conspiracy that includes the shady business executive known as “Big Dave,” played by Gandolfini.
Gandolfini is a perfect fit for the unique tone that the Coen brothers create, as he can be both very intimidating and surprisingly funny in the darkest possible way. Although it was clear that Gandolfini was drawing on his experience of playing gangster,The Man Who Wasn’t Therefeatures more than a few clever plot twists that manage to subvert expectations about how the real villain of the story is.
The Man Who Wasn’t There
A laconic, chain-smoking barber blackmails his wife’s boss and lover for money to invest in dry cleaning, but his plan goes terribly wrong.
4‘In the Loop’ (2009)
Directed by Armando Ianucci
In the Loopis one of the best works of satire of the 21st century,asThe Thick of ItandVeepcreatorArmando Ianuccicreated a hilarious fictional scenario about what would happen if the United States and United Kingdom were to engage in a war;unlike other war films,In the Looplooks almost exclusively at the chaotic backstabbing and complex political procedures involved in such a seismic global invasion.
Gandolfini is a downright scene stealer as an incompetent American Generalwho becomes overwhelmed by how disorganized the campaign actually is. AlthoughIn the Loopwas hailed as a clever “what if” scenario for imagining a nightmarish situation involving incompetent global leadership, the similarities that it has to recent events in both the U.S. and U.K. serve as a reminder that Ianucci may have just ended up predicting the future.
In the Loop
In The Loop provides a satirical examination of the political maneuvering and bureaucratic chaos behind an impending war in the Middle East. As governmental officials and advisers oscillate between supporting or resisting the conflict, the film delves into the complexities and absurdities of international diplomacy and power struggles.
3‘Zero Dark Thirty’ (2012)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Zero Dark Thirtyis among the most controversial films of the 21st centuryfor its depictionof the CIA spy operationthat led to the execution of Osama Bin-laden, one decade after the devastating attack on the World Trade Center in September of 2001. Despite receiving many Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director forKathryn Bigelow, some felt that the film endorsed the use of torture.
Gandolfini is downright terrifying as a ruthless CIA operations directorwho gives the researcher Maya (Jessica Chastain) assistance as she continues her research. While there are faults to be had with the way in which Bigelow chose to tell her story, it is clear by Gandolfini’s spooky performance thatZero Dark Thirtydoes not intend to lionize all of the techniques that the American military used during this high-profile anti-terrorist espionage campaign.
Zero Dark Thirty
A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.
2‘The Last Castle’ (2001)
Directed by Rob Lurie
The Last Castleis an underrated prison dramathat saw Gandolfini going head-to-head withRobert Redford.Redford stars as a respected military general who is imprisoned after failing to comply with orders; Gandolfini co-stars as the prideful prison director who gradually begins to lash out when he feels that his authority is being subverted.
Gandolfini brings a level of complexity to his performance, as he is jovial to the point that he feels that his leadership is being questioned. WhileThe Last Castleis a very morally complex film that does not point outobvious heroic characters, Gandolfini shows how an abuse of power can lead angry men to becoming dictatorial, violent, and impossible to reason with. It’s a terrifying performance that transformsThe Last Castlefrom being a respectable drama to being a genuinely insightful breakdown of the way that justice works in America.
The Last Castle
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1‘The Sopranos’ (1999-2007)
Created by David Chase
The Sopranosis easily one of the greatest television shows of all-time, but the series would never have earned the legacy that it currently has if it wasn’t for the amazing lead performance by Gandolfini.While the entire series has excellent acting, Gandolfini was able to play a complex anti-hero who the viewers were occasionally forced to sympathize with, even though Tony consistently proved to be a psychopathic person capable of incredible acts of violence.
The Sopranosconsistently forced Gandlfini to find new aspects of Tony’s personality, particularly in later seasons where his mental health issues grow more problematic. Although fans still may be divided on the way in which showrunnerDavid Chasechose to conclude the series on a very ambiguous moment, it is impossible to argue that Gandolfini did excellent work up until the very end of the last episode.
The Sopranos
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
