The Chase is On

 

For somebody who's gone through the Sopranos series three times, you would think that a documentary about show creator David Chase would give you no new information.

Wrong and fuhgetaboutit.  This new two-part series (total 2 and a half hours) on HBO Max is so illuminating that I may have to watch it three separate times.

It starts with director Alex Gibney walking Chase into a replica of Dr. Melfi's psychiatric office and sitting him down for a session.  I mean, I knew that a lot of what Chase put on screen is a direct copy from his own life.   I just never knew how much.

Interlaced into this conversation is so much new-to-me backstage footage...including screen tests!  Plus talking heads from most of the cast, including two no longer with us.   Hearing vintage interviews from James Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand are so evocative in retrospect.   It's like they're still here with us.  

Everything gets covered here, but if you think you're going to get Chase's explanation about the final scene of the series....well...

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Sandwich.