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Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sopranos Final Episode
I'm struggling to find an interpretation of that last scene that isn't a major "fuck you" to the audience.
I'm sorry to be in the minority but I think it worked well. Like A.J. (and perhaps his female shrink), we have been once more seduced by Tony and Carm, by their larger than our life lives, and will remain at his dinner table, being part of it forevermore, waiting and wondering if and when the bullets will fly.
I thought the ending was perfect. Tony's entire life is going to be all about looking over his shoulder. Every person who walks into the diner, every time he gets into his car, every time he steps out to get his paper in that flappy white robe, he'll be expecting the one he won't hear.
Except if you watch it again, as you can do here, Tony doesn't seem all that jumpy or paranoid. He barely even looks at the guy headed for the bathroom. He doesn't even look up when the black guys come in. There's no shock or uneasiness. All the paranoia is ours---because David Chase is manipulating it. He's manipulating us brilliantly, but I for one still don't like being played.
I saw this clip a bunch last night on the news shows and Tony does see the possible threats. He sees the guy go into the men's room. He sees thetwo at the juke box. I think he does make slight evaluations, just as an infantryman watches his surroundings, looking for anything that doesn't quite feel right.
As for maniplulations, well, we're all guilty of that, aren't we? Edits by their very nature are manipulation.
This past doc film festival had the perfect example. DA Pennebaker showed a new film cut from the same footage as his famous Don't Look Back. Same footage, same director, but a different Dylan. This one was much less prickly, much more likeable and approachable than the Dylan of Don't Look Back.
I loved finale episode but clearly most people hated it.. Check out this nifty collection of funny video responses to the finale episode: http://video.ivillage.com/player/?id=118095
So totally agree, Dusty. What a cop out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to be in the minority but I think it worked well. Like A.J. (and perhaps his female shrink), we have been once more seduced by Tony and Carm, by their larger than our life lives, and will remain at his dinner table, being part of it forevermore, waiting and wondering if and when the bullets will fly.
ReplyDeleteI thought the ending was perfect. Tony's entire life is going to be all about looking over his shoulder. Every person who walks into the diner, every time he gets into his car, every time he steps out to get his paper in that flappy white robe, he'll be expecting the one he won't hear.
ReplyDeleteJenny hated it.
Except if you watch it again, as you can do here, Tony doesn't seem all that jumpy or paranoid. He barely even looks at the guy headed for the bathroom. He doesn't even look up when the black guys come in. There's no shock or uneasiness. All the paranoia is ours---because David Chase is manipulating it. He's manipulating us brilliantly, but I for one still don't like being played.
ReplyDeleteAh well...the clip's been taken down.
ReplyDeleteI can be played if it's by such a master of manipulation. But you are right, the second time it all looked different. Maybe that's the charm.
ReplyDeleteI saw this clip a bunch last night on the news shows and Tony does see the possible threats. He sees the guy go into the men's room. He sees thetwo at the juke box. I think he does make slight evaluations, just as an infantryman watches his surroundings, looking for anything that doesn't quite feel right.
ReplyDeleteAs for maniplulations, well, we're all guilty of that, aren't we? Edits by their very nature are manipulation.
This past doc film festival had the perfect example. DA Pennebaker showed a new film cut from the same footage as his famous Don't Look Back. Same footage, same director, but a different Dylan. This one was much less prickly, much more likeable and approachable than the Dylan of Don't Look Back.
The moral? Cutters rule.
I loved finale episode but clearly most people hated it..
ReplyDeleteCheck out this nifty collection of funny video responses to the finale episode:
http://video.ivillage.com/player/?id=118095