The Writings of John Ryan Sullivan

Let me be upfront about this post – I really just want to write about Stanley Tucci. I’ve just watched the second season of Citadel and mostly enjoyed it. I do not feel compelled to write much about the show Citadel but given that Stanley Tucci is presently at the forefront of my mind (and everywhere online) I’d like to write a something about the man himself.

So, oddly the vehicle for this Stanley Tucci conversation will be the television show Citadel and my various thoughts about him and the show and the Internet in general.

As always, I get it, this is weird.

First things first: if you are unfamiliar with the show Citadel (and don’t you dare say the other, we should all be well-versed in all things Stanley Tucci by now) here is what you should know. Season one aired in 2023. The lead actors are Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, many Indian films, married to a Jonas brother) and their involvement with a spy agency called Citadel.

The first season is strange, both leading characters don’t know who they are. The person with all the answers is played by Stanley Tucci. Although he has considerably less screen time than the leads he is, as always, quite wonderful. There is a fair bit of time-jumping in the first season, as we learn about our heroes backstories and how they are connected.

As someone who enjoyed the somewhat messy, convoluted first season I was curious where the second would lead. For some reason it took three years to find out. What I can tell you is the second season is less convoluted and there are fewer time-jumps. Stanley Tucci’s part is larger and more proactive. The overall season is a bit of mixed-bag and I can’t say the ending was satisfying.

What I can say is how much I enjoy watching Stanley Tucci play a genius spy who occasionally behaves like James Bond. It is rewarding to see him play smart and tough and sometimes callous. So many of the roles he has played throughout his career have been so specific to be almost pigeon-holed.

If you’ve been online at all in the past month you most likely have seen him doing press for The Devil Wears Prada 2, which has him reprising his role from the first film. Although I have no interst in the film I have been watching a number of the interviews as Mr. Tucci has been doing them with his co-star and sister-in-law, Emily Blunt. Two naturally funny, likable people who enjoy one another’s company makes for interesting watching.

One particular interview featured images of Mr. Tucci from earlier stages of his career, much to Mrs. Blunt’s delight, and led to me thinking about roles of his I have greatly enjoyed. Which, if we are being honest with one another, is what this post is really about.

I haven’t seen a good deal of the films Mr. Tucci has been in and while I accept my fault in the matter I would like to point out that many of them are not great films. That being said the first role I’d like to call attention to is Muerte in Undercover Blues.

I saw this film in the early 00’s and as best I can recall it is pretty forgettable. Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner are amazing spy people who are tough and capable and now have a baby. Mr. Tucci is Muerte, who I think is meant to be a street thug. And tough. Only compared to the Blue’s (because that is a real last name) he is not. So his role in the film is to be upset that they don’t take him seriously as a threat and often repeating that his name is Muerte, which he will tell you, means death. I love him in this, he is perfect.

The next role I’d like to point out is that of Frank Zioli in Kiss of Death. A lot of people disliked this film, I am not one of them. There’s just so much to like. Nicholas Cage hit the gym for his shift into a different kind of role and is fun in the film. Ving Rhames, always amazing, delivers one of my favorite lines in any film about red being his bad luck color. And then there is Mr. Tucci, who I can remember for one line referring to ‘Big Junior’ as being an oxymoron like ‘jumbo shrimp’. It’s memorable and funny (and Samuel Jackson is also in this movie).

Everyone should be familiar with Big Night (which Mr. Tucci directed) and his role as Secondo. If I’m honest I was somewhat distracted when I watched the film. I don’t think I had seen Tony Shalhoub in anything other than Wings prior to the movie and it was so strange to me. The film has an amazing cast, a great story and so much delicious food. I am, frankly, always amazed when people talk about their favorite food movies that Big Night is not mentioned more often.

Next, also directed by Mr. Tucci, is The Imposters, which is a very funny film. Mr. Tucci and Oliver Platt are co-stars and I have no idea which is the funnier of the two. It’s a different kind of film and performance from Mr. Tucci and I recall watching it and having no idea what to expect. In a recent interview he mentioned it doing poorly which makes me sad, it’s a great little movie.

I have no idea if A Midsummer Night’s Dream was successful or not. It certainly should have been given the amazing cast and performances. Nearly every part is someone we know and love now, which speaks highly of the casting agent for the film. Sam Rockwell, Christian Bale, Dominic West, Anna Friel – it’s chock full of great actors in every role. Which makes Mr. Tucci’s performance of Puck all the more impressive given how memorable it is. In a movie with Kevin Kline giving a terrific comedic performance, Mr. Tucci delivers laughs and light-hearted moments that in my memory are nearly equal. If you have not seen this you should.

I’m skipping a fair bit ahead here but other than Joe Gould’s Secret (which Mr. Tucci directed and I did not care for – tell me what was the point?) I’m not remembering his role in the other films that come after this – even America’s Sweethearts (studio head who curses a lot?). I don’t want to say much about The Devil Wears Prada as I detest the film and its message. I will say Mr. Tucci was perfect for what his character was meant to be.

So next is the role of Paul Child in Julie and Julia. I have mixed feelings about this film, I’ve long thought if it had just been a biopic of Julia Child it would be a better movie. Mr. Tucci plays Paul Child, pretty much the perfect husband. Meryl Streep, as always, is amazing and their section of the film is perfect and I love it.

I somehow still have not watched Easy A, despite wanting to when it was released. I love Patricia Clarkson and I think Emma Stone is wonderful. I have heard only good things about his role in this film and I ask your forgiveness for taking so long to watch the movie.

In Captain America: The First Avenger Mr. Tucci played Abraham Erskine and among other things was the only character who stood up to Tommy Lee Jones. Which is saying something. It’s a small part but he injected much needed humanity into that film which I greatly enjoyed.

Now looking through everything since that film I am realizing why Citadel stands out for me regarding Mr. Tucci: I’ve either intentionally not seen most of what he’s done since (Hunger Games, Transformers) or I’ve watched films he’s in and don’t remember his role, (A Private War, Night Hunter). Which makes me a bit sad as I really enjoy seeing him in things.

To finish up this strange post that is kind of a love letter to Mr. Tucci but also feels like a scold for the past fifteen years or so – let me say, what I enjoy about his role in Citadel is that it is complex. He’s not good or bad. He gets to do a fair bit and depending on the season what he’s doing differs greatly. One of the many benefits of television is when you have outstanding actors and interesting storylines you get a chance to see the full range of their abilities.

I don’t know if there will be another season of Citadel or if Mr. Tucci will be in it. I would love to see him direct more films as he seems to be one of those rare actors that can wear both hats and do a good job of it. Whatever comes next I will be paying attention (and making my way to Easy A).