The Lifetime Achievement Oscar ceremony is happening this Saturday, November 14th. The honorees for Honorary Awards are Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds, and Gena Rowlands. If you’ve been following along, then you know my involvement in this whole thing, an experience which has been so over-the-top I couldn’t have dreamed it up if I tried.
It is unbelievably gratifying to see Gena Rowlands everywhere right now. It’s kind of like Hamilton suddenly being on Broadway, after decades of lonely Alexander Hamilton fandom. I now live in a world where Alexander Hamilton is trending on Twitter on a daily basis? After dealing with ignorant “who cares another dead white male” eyerolls for decades? Thank God I stuck around this long to see it. So seeing headlines with Gena Rowlands’ name everywhere is so beautiful! Nobody deserves it more.
In the lead-up to the ceremony, each honoree was interviewed for AMPAS, and the videos have now been launched. The topic: What Movies Mean to Me.
Two favorite things:
1. The story she tells about asking Cassavetes a question in regards to some moment they were about to film in A Woman Under the Influence. Listen to what he said to her. She told the same story in the QA with her that David and I attended.
2. “When I hear the word ‘Action!’, it’s not any pressure. It’s mine.”
Giant.
Criterion Collection put up a blog-post about the video, and included a link to part of the video-essay I wrote/narrated for the release of Love Streams on Criterion.
You must be so proud about this. Savor it. Treasure it.
I am trying to savor it! Thank you, Carolyn! An exciting week.
Sheila
What an amazing person she is. Everything she says rings out like a bell because she is such a truthful authentic person with her own sense of humor and such an original take on everything. She’s so touching here and I’m in tears. At this great age you can hear that inimitable familiar voice. And that glamorous beauty still. She doesn’t live in the past, but it’s there with her too.
I don’t know how you see this broadcast, but I’m sure it will be out and all over the place soon. I can’t wait to see it! Congratulations again Sheila!
// At this great age you can hear that inimitable familiar voice. //
I know! That voice! The way she says words, the tone/timbre of it … there it is.
How about her saying that Cassavetes’ one comment to her (“I cast you in the role, you said you’d do it … so do it”) relaxed her totally – so that she does not feel pressure when she hears the word “ACTION!”
Just extraordinary. She’s one of a kind.
Thank you, Regina!!
and yeah, I’m just not sure about how we can see all of it. I’ll email the producers and ask. I saw a rough cut of the video (with an intern reading my narration – mispronouncing “Paddy Chayefsky”, etc. – it was cute) – and the images they found, mixed with clips from the films – plus (best of all) interview footage with both of them …
They just did such a gorgeous job – and chose incredibly moving music to go underneath it all. Momentous music, if you know what I mean – appropriate to her stature as an actress/icon. It gave me goosebumps.
That was a rough cut with some place-holders, etc, so I really look forward to seeing the final thing, and hearing Angelina Jolie read the words, and etc. It’s insane.
But I think you will be very pleased with the video itself. These guys who created it are not fucking around. Total pros!!
Sheila
And I love her Bette Davis story, “You’re no spring chicken” Hilarious!
If I was pushed to the wall I think I would pick BD as my all time favorite too. Davis, like Rowlands are, like you say, one of a kind. And they have the ability to be so big and out there and daring yet dead on truthful, always.
And if I were to pick my favorite young today actress it would be Jolie. From the first movie I saw from her, Foxfire. I had no idea who she was. I remember thinking, she’s representing women I know that I grew up with whom I have not seen in the movies. I believed everything she did. I believed she’s a real tough girl but a very sexual being too. And it was a totally original performance. Not counting that she’s also a damn good director.
And thanks for that info, so exciting!!!
Regina –
“You’re no spring chicken!” HA!!
FYI: that TV movie (“Strangers: Story of a Mother and Daughter”) is on Youtube in 10 parts. It’s basically just Gena and Bette for two hours. I mean … come ON! !
and in re: Jolie:
I agree with you. And I think her career is on the “old-school model” – the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford/studio system model. As opposed to the more modern model – where these interchangeable starlets gun for the brass ring – and try to “position” themselves by taking a “variety” of roles, and it all sounds very strategic and I’m sorry but they all look alike, and none of them really have a personal STAMP. They may have some facility at acting – but they lack that ….
personal power, I guess.
Bette Davis wasn’t the same in every role. She was a leading lady who was also a great character actress – but she brought to everything she did this personal POWER, and PERSONALITY … that makes her eternal.
Jolie does too. Julia Roberts does too. Different personalities – Jolie and Roberts – but each undeniably THEIRS.
I don’t know if this makes sense. But I find so many younger actresses today bland and forgettable – even if they are good in specific roles. To become a superstar, you’ve got to have that … unique sense of self, and be able to PROJECT that self. That’s a star.
Jolie did that from the get-go – which is pretty amazing (Roberts did too!!). And how FASCINATING her career has been.
I’m going to see her latest tonight – By the Sea – and a lot of critics are saying it’s awful which means I’m probably going to adore it.
I can’t wait!!
I mean, the trailer is outrageous. It feels like a movie that Richard Burton and Liz Taylor would have starred in in 1967.
Which I think is perfect.
Two beautiful people – married in real life – lolling about in a hotel on the Mediterranean – crying and screaming and smoking?
I mean, what’s not to love?
Oops, forgot to put a link to the Beyond the Sea trailers. They’re so melodramatic and gorgeous. You probably already have seen them, but just in case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCwtQPBhDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUFZOO9zO0Q
Okay, while this review is not a rave – Manhole Dargis has some awesome thoughts on Jolie – as actress, as persona, as star.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/movies/review-in-angelina-jolie-pitts-by-the-sea-an-unhappy-menage-and-tear-streaked-mascara.html