Amour Fou (The Sopranos)
| "Amour Fou" | |
|---|---|
| The Sopranos episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Story by | David Chase |
| Teleplay by | Frank Renzulli |
| Cinematography by | Alik Sakharov |
| Production code | 312 |
| Original air date | May 13, 2001 |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
"Amour Fou" is the 38th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the 12th of the show's third season. Its teleplay was written by Frank Renzulli from a story idea by series creator, David Chase. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on May 13, 2001.
Starring
- James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
- Dr. Jennifer Melfi
- Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
- Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
- Dominic Chianese as Corrado Soprano, Jr. *
- Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante
- Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri *
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano
- Anthony Soprano, Jr.*
- Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva *
- Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano *
- Furio Giunta
- Eugene Pontecorvo
- Ralph Cifaretto
* = credit only
Guest starring
- Rosalie Aprile
- Jackie Aprile, Jr.
- Louis Crugnali as Carlo Renzi
- Andrew Davoli as Dino Zerilli
- Patsy Parisi
- Angie Bonpensiero
- Richard Maldone as Ally Boy Barese
- Sunshine
- Gloria Trillo
- Matush Gia
- Gabriella Dante
- Isaach De Bankoléas Father Obosi
- Anthony Zayas as Cholo #1
- Freddy Martinez as Cholo #2
- Cesar de Leon as Cholo #3
- Tristan Molina as Cholo #4
Synopsis
Christopher furiously expresses his desire to kill Jackie Jr. Tony forbids it. The next morning, Ralphie meets Tony to discuss how to deal with Jackie. Tony says Ralphie is responsible, but his advice is ambiguous. Ralphie is full of doubt: he blames Jackie Sr. for "spoiling" his son and wants to give Jackie a "pass". Tony gives Ralphie back the pistol he confiscated from Jackie. Ralph embraces Tony and leaves. Outside, he pauses, perplexed. At home, he tries to comfort
Deceased
- "Sunshine": a card dealer for the mob who was shot during the poker robbery by Jackie Jr.
- Carlo Renzi: shot by Christopher in the head during the poker robbery.
- Dino Zerilli: shot in the head outside of the Aprile hangout by Christopher and Albert Barese.
Final appearances
- "Everybody Hurts" and "The Test Dream".
Title reference
- The translation from French is "crazy love", a term Dr. Melfi uses to describe the conflicted relationship between Tony and Gloria. Tony later mispronounces it "Our mofo."
Production
- On the commentary on the season three DVD, David Chase affirms that this episode features "the biggest gunfight we ever shot."[1]
- The tiny shell casings which can be seen striking the pavement after Chris executes Dino outside the card game were added into the scene in post-production using CGI.[1]
Other cultural references
- Jackie and Dino are seen watching the famous "leg cross" scene from the film Basic Instinct on television.
- Tony tells Dr. Melfi that Gloria reminds him of a princess in a Spanish painting, a "Goya.
- Tony calls Gloria's Buddha statue "a regular Captain Marvel".
- Jackie and Dino are also seen watching a documentary on Vanilla Ice.
- Gloria brandishing a corkscrew as a weapon against Tony could be a reference to Gandolfini's role in True Romance, where a female character similarly uses a corkscrew against Gandolfini.
- During dinner with Gabriella, Carmela, and Angie, Rosalie mentioned the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal while discussing Meadow and Jackie's breakup
Music
- This episode opens with the same music that closes the previous episode, "Pine Barrens" – the aria "Sposa son disprezzata" from the opera Bajazet by Antonio Vivaldi, sung by Cecilia Bartoli.
- "Return To Me (Ritorna da me)" by Dean Martin is playing while Ralphie tells Jackie Jr. and Dino about when Tony and Jackie Sr. robbed Feech LaManna's card game.
- The Bangles' song, "Walk Like an Egyptian", is playing in the Ooh-Fa Pizza & Restaurant, a regular hangout of Chris, when he sits down with Jackie and Dino.
- The music played when Ralph returns home to comfort Rosalie is a Bob Dylan cover of a Carmen Lombardo and Danny Di Minno song, "Return To Me", previously released as a single by Dean Martin. It was recorded for this episode at Dylan's request, as he is an admitted fan of the series.[1]
- While Tony Soprano is with Gloria, she turns on the song "Affection" by Steve Van Zandtplays Silvio Dante on the show.
Awards
James Gandolfini won his second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in this episode. Annabella Sciorra was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance.
References
External links
- "Amour Fou" at HBO
- "Amour Fou" at IMDb
