On The Many Saints Of Newark, a problem with Michael Gandofini as Tony Soprano is there nothing in him or what he does that suggests the larger than life figure who dominates The Sopranos.
Two data points:
1. Dickie M. heeds Sal M.‘s advice in his, Dickie’s, quest for expiation. Dickie, to try to do a good thing, rebuffs Tony. But then Dickie reverses course and agrees to reconnect with him. Syl convinces Dickie to reconnect on the basis that Tony is a great kid who shows terrific Mafia promise and is the future of their Mafia family; and
2. Tony’s high school counselor tells Olivia that Tony, despite his bad marks, tests as highly intelligent, is a leader and is notably sociable.
But if Tony displays any of those qualities in The Many Saints, then I missed them.
There are two reasons for this, two reasons for why we’re only told, and not only not shown, but actually shown the opposite:
1. The movie doesn’t give Tony any chance, any situation in which, to embody these sterling qualities; and
2. Michael Gandolfini is too bland in his portrayal. His acting doesn’t evince any of them.
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