James Berardinelli has given North Country 3 stars. I kind of don’t have any desire to see it even though ANYTHING with Sissy Spacek and Frances McDormand in it is allright by me!!
There’s just something about the one clip in the commercials of Charlize Theron saying: “I want to sue the mine, all of them” that just … doesn’t “get me”. Her voice doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t have that same clutch-you-at-your-throat urgency that other films with similar themes (I’m thinking of one of my favorites Silkwood) have. I don’t know – Charlize’s voice in that one clip sounds very … actress-y. Can’t explain it better than that!
I just have to say that reading his review actually brought a big lump to my throat because he calls out for praise the always fantastic Richard Jenkins – he gives him the best review in the film. I just … I cannot tell you how thrilled this makes me. It’s such a vindication, it just pleases me so so much …
Richard Jenkins – one of the best character actors working in America – he has been doing solid awesome work for … 25 years now? He was a member of Trinity Rep in Rhode Island, and I grew up seeing him in various stage productions there. I have met him before, at various theatrical moments in Rhode Island, through the years … and I couldn’t have been more happy for him when I saw him give such WONDERFUL performances in movies like Flirting with Disaster (just the thought of it makes me laugh out loud), the movie The Man Who Wasn’t There (which – not sure – but I think I might have been the only person who saw that movie. HE is the reason to see it, and he’s not even the lead.) – and, of course, his recurring role as the dead father in 6 Feet Under. This guy is a gem. This guy should be celebrated.
And listen to Berardinelli’s words:
But the one I want to single out is character actor Richard Jenkins, who is superb. Jenkins’ portrayal of Josey’s conflicted father is believable and powerful. Jenkins is one of those actors whose face is more familiar than his name. He has appeared in more than 60 movies and TV productions, and is probably best known for a supporting role in Flirting with Disaster and as a member of the ensemble cast for Six Feet Under. He deserves official recognition for his work in North Country.
It just makes me want to cry. It’s so so true.
Charlize Shmarlize. I mean, good for her – she’s made quite a nice career for herself – but man, I love it when character actors who have been around forever are rightly praised. It’s just AWESOME.
And back to Flirting with Disaster – watching Lily Tomlin talk his character through an acid trip (he’s a pretty square US Marshall – and his food was spiked – so he has no idea what’s happening to him) – is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in my life.
He had an amazing presence in Six Feet Under. Considering his character was killed in the very first episode……………..
Totally. I love how unsentimentally that character was imagined. But how beautifully, too – You loved him, you hated him, you didn’t understand him. Yeah, he was awesome.
I loved him in Flirting With Disaster!!! That acid trip scene is absolutely hilarious. Lily Tomlin and Alan Alda (who is so NOT sensitive) were so good together. Actually, the whole cast was amazing. Mary Tyler Moore just killed me.
Yeah, I love that whole movie. The parents –
Alan Alda made me laugh out loud. Throughout. And yeah – Mary Tyler Moore was SO FUNNY.
When Jenkins gets all depressed … not during the acid trip part, but earlier – because he’s being left out … member that?
“I’m having some feelings and I would like to talk about it …”
hahahahaha US Marshall … Oh, I just love it.
HA HA HA! Love it. I seriously need to watch that movie again. It’s going on my Netflix queue right now. :)
I have so many favorite scenes in that movie. Mary Tyler Moore lying in bed in her underwear, flossing her teeth FEROCIOUSLY, and barking at her poor husband: “Where’s your sense of romance?”
hahahahahaha
HA HA HA HA! I love when she shoves the wheel of cheese in George Segal’s face. Isn’t he scared of cheese or something?
I’m disappointed that this movie didn’t do better when it opened. It’s so damn funny.
George Segal! hahahahaha He’s so harassed!!!
And how bout Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin having that hippie sex at the end – where they’re ringing little canasta bells – so stupid!!! i would love to see the outtakes on that scene!
Maybe they’re on the DVD! Oh God, I hope so. I’m Netflixing it so I’ll let you know.
I saw “The Man Who Wasn’t There”, also, so you’re not alone!
Jenkins was hilarious in Intolerable Cruelty – he’s a lawyer opposing George Clooney, and when Catherine Zeta-Jones recites poetry on the stand, Jenkins objects. “On what grounds?” asks the judge. “Artsy fartsy!” he says, with a simpering look that means, ‘It’s the best I can do!’ So funny!
Like you say, he was perfect in Flirting With Disaster.
r. jenkins is a treasure! love him! he is everywhere. i saw the man who wasn’t there in the theatre, so you are not alone. james gandolfini (spelling? am i getting the name right?) was so fantastic in that. i love that rich (can i call him rich?) works at trinity, too. makes me happy.