The Sopranos: The Complete Fifth Season [4 Discs]

James Gandolfini

Overview

A conflicted New Jersey crime boss seeks therapy to cope with mob and family pressures in this addictive, stunningly original drama, which can be chillingly violent, wrenchingly moving or darkly funny. Well deserving of its many Emmys and other awards, this HBO masterwork created by Garden State native David Chase has become Sunday-night appointment viewing, with passionate fans mostly carping about waiting ridiculously long stretches (more than a year) for new seasons of original episodes.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2005
UPC:	0026359230028
Original Release:	2005
Rating:	NR
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	13:00:00
Sales rank:	34,854

Special Features

Closed Caption; Five audio commentaries with directors Peter Bogdanovich, Steve Buscemi, Mike Figgis, and Rodrigo Garcia, plus actress Drea de Matteo

Editorial Reviews

Some hardcore Sopranos fans thought that the 2004 season represented a fall-off in the series' quality, but in revisiting these 13 episodes we didn't detect any precipitous decline. On balance it's a fascinating group of shows, notable for the introduction of Steve Buscemi as Tony's recently paroled cousin Tony Blundetto in "Rat Pack," and Robert Loggia as Feech La Manna in "Two Tonys," a character previously referred to but not seen until this year. The principal plot thread underpinning Season 5 is the steadily building conflict between ambitious Johnny Sack (Vincent Curatola) and Little Carmine (Ray Abruzzo) following the death of Carmine (Tony Lip) -- a conflict Tony (James Gandolfini) will eventually have to deal with. Now separated from Carmela (Edie Falco), Tony develops a romantic interest in his therapist, Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), but you can bet more pressing matters will keep that relationship from maturing. Our favorite episode on the year is the offbeat "Test Dream," which finds Tony having a nightmare peopled with previous victims (and former show regulars, including Joe Pantoliano, Vincent Pastore, and Annabella Sciorra). While it may not compare with the very best of this fine David Chase series, Season 5 certainly stands head and shoulders above the average network fare.