I enjoyed the show but never thought it was anything special anymore than any other gangster show.
Gandolfini was made for that role but was probably typecast and would have trouble duplicating that success anywhere else.
The show had it’s share of interesting characters. I wonder if it would have had the same cache if it had been on a different network rather than HBO? HBO allowed that show to present all the crudeness and ugliness of real life with too much profanity and nudity.
Gandolfini was a pretty good actor. He was great in Last Castle (better than Redford).
He brought the level of play up in anything he was cast in.
No it would not. A few years back, I tried some "clean" dialogue with the Sopranos characters and it just didn't work. For example:
Paulie: "Gee whiz Tony, are you really going to promote that man to captain? I often have serious disagreements with him and I don't think he is a very good fit for our organization. Also, he dresses like a slob"
Tony: "Paulie, I'm the boss in this family of ours and all personnel decisions are decided upon by me. You may not always like the choices I make but remember that I alone am accountable for them and I expect you, as part of my management team, to support me in those decisions."
Paulie: "Yes, you are right Tony, I apologize for being so forward. If you think he will make a good captain, I will give him my full cooperation and support. But Tony, could you please put him in touch with a wardrobe consultant? At our last sit-down, he was wearing sneakers and dockers for crying out loud. And his shirt looked like he bought it from The Gap at the Palisades Mall!"
See what I mean? It just doesn't flow right.
I'm not a big fan of profanity and I almost never use it myself, but I understand the need to include it in books, TV shows and movies in order to make it more real.
He was Great in other roles I saw him in.
I grew up knowing wiseguys and Gandolphini and a LOT of other characters played them great.
It ranks among the best series ever created.