Enough Said , one of actor James Gandolfini’s final films, will be released posthumously Wednesday, September 18, 2013.
The film — a romantic comedy also starring Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Toni Colette, Catherine Keener, and Amy Landecker — sees release just days before the 65th Annual Emmy Awards at which tribute will be paid to Gandolfini, a three-time winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, during the “In Memoriam” segment of the program.
Gandolfini, who died of a heart attack in June, is known for portraying New Jersey mob boss Tony Sopranos on HBO’s smash hit The Sopranos in addition to numerous film roles. Enough Said will show a lighter side of his craft, telling the tale of the romance between Eva (Louis-Dreyfuss), a divorced single mother, and Albert (Gandolfini), who turns out to be her new friend’s ex-husband.
Humble about his abilities, Gandolfini had second-guessed his casting in the role multiple times to writer-director Nicole Holofcener, insisting there were actors better suited to the task.
“I really wish he could have seen the finished film, because hopefully he would have seen how lovely he is in it,” she said.
Enough Said debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month; the film and James Gandolfini’s performance have already garnered early praise:
- “ Gandolfini, his eyes twinkling with good humor in what will likely be remembered as one of his warmest, most vulnerable and enjoyable performances… gamely embraces a character whose unhealthy diet and sizable gut are regular subjects of conversation and occasional contempt, making clear that Albert knows his personal defects well and needs someone who can acknowledge them with kind acceptance, not cruel sarcasm ,” said Variety ‘s Justin Chang
- “ What matters is Gandolfini, whose languid, burry diction and Buddha-like poise set the simplest lines and deeds spinning with life-worn worlds of feeling. His warmth, vitality, and humor dominate the film and are its raison d’être ,” according to Richard Brody of The New Yorker
Gandolfini’s final film, Animal Rescue — a crime drama also starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace — is currently in post-production with an expected 2014 release.