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What makes Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos a must-watch documentary for fans? This question is answered in Alex Gibney's detailed two-part documentary on David Chase's brilliant mind and groundbreaking television show. The documentary explores how The Sopranos changed TV and became a cultural classic that fans revisit.
Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos opens with a perceptive study of Chase's past. Gibney emphasizes how the story of the play was much shaped by Chase's own experiences, especially with regard to his connection with his mother.
From a film student to the producer of one of the most beloved TV shows ever, the first section of the documentary mostly chronicles Chase's path.
Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos excels at blending Chase's personal and professional life with The Sopranos. By blending vintage footage, behind-the-scenes information and key interviews, it gives viewers a complete picture of Chase and the program.
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The origins of The Sopranos in Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos
Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos start by following Chase's early career and how his early Hollywood hardships impacted the path of his creative mind.
Originally hoping to be a film director, Chase discovered himself working on hit shows like The Rockford Files in television. But his irritation with the restrictions of Network TV drove him to HBO, where The Sopranos was born.
The documentary’s first section, roughly 75 minutes long, focuses on Chase’s pre-Sopranos career. We learn how Chase pitched The Sopranos as a feature film initially. HBO seized the opportunity once networks adopted the concept, and the rest is history.
With performers like James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco discussing their roles and audition experiences, the documentary offers a window into the early phases of casting and filming via interviews and archive video.
The making of a TV classic
The second part of Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos dives into the complexity of the show’s six-season run.
It covers the pressures Chase faced in shaping the series, especially with the massive expectations from both HBO and its ever-growing fanbase.
The documentary reveals how Chase’s meticulous approach and high standards sometimes bordered on tyranny. Nevertheless, his vision led to a show that remains a hallmark of television storytelling.
The documentary also touches upon James Gandolfini’s portrayal of Tony Soprano, examining how the actor struggled with the intensity of the role. Gandolfini’s personal issues, like his battles with addiction, are discussed through secondhand accounts from fellow cast members.
Despite the challenges, his performance is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest in television history.
The influence of The Sopranos
Among Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos' most astute observations is how the show forever changed television.
The documentary shows how Chase created an anti-hero in Tony Soprano, a character so flawed but so mesmerizing that viewers were left to examine their moral compass. From the traditional, morally immaculate TV heroes of the day, this was a radical departure.
Chase’s bold storytelling choices are examined in detail. The documentary reveals that HBO executives initially pushed back on certain storylines, like Tony’s violent murder of a mob rat in the famous “College” episode.
Despite this resistance, Chase stood his ground, and these controversial decisions are now seen as pivotal moments that set the show apart from anything else on television.
Production and direction
The documentary highlights the high production standards and cinematic influences that made The Sopranos visually stunning.
Gibney emphasizes how Chase took inspiration from ’70s cinema, particularly the works of directors like Bertolucci. This influence is evident in the show's use of camera angles and lighting, which gave it a cinematic quality rarely seen in television.
Key players in the documentary include cinematographer Alik Sakharov and editor Andy Grieve, who explore how they stretched the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Their advice along with Chase's vision guaranteed that The Sopranos stood out not only for its narrative but also for its visual quality.
Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos offers viewers in its 160-minute run a careful and well-rounded assessment of a series that altered television.
Though it leaves out certain important essential points, Gibney's documentary offers a thorough investigation of the core and spirit of the performance.
Viewers come to value The Sopranos and the long-lasting influence it has had on the medium more through David Chase's eyes. Even if it might not be able to address every question, it confirms The Sopranos as a masterwork deserving of repeated viewing.
