Pumpgirl and Rocky Balboa

Review of a play I really want to see. Its reputation precedes it. Interesting comments there about Ireland, and also what is going on over there right now, in terms of plays, and playwrights. It’s no secret that Ireland is, once again, ruling the roost theatrically – and have been for the last 10 years or so. Beauty Queen was the start of it – although Brian Friel, of course, has been a huge success here and elsewhere forever. Conor McPherson, Martin McDonough – these guys are awesome. It’s nice to see a female playwright getting her due as well, in the midst of that macho atmosphere. Additionally: Geraldine Hughes – a wonderful actress, with a round gleaming-eyed face – a face you just LOVE – is getting marvelous reviews. She played the woman in Rocky Balboa – not really a love interest, but a friend, someone who befriends Rocky … I didn’t even know she was Irish then, her American accent was so good. And the casting of her was perfect – it was wonderful that Stallone hadn’t cast a “name” in that part. I think some of it had to do with budget, that film was made on shoestrings, and they probably couldn’t afford anyone bigger … but because of that, because she was a new face – with no associations attached to it – we could just focus on the story and the performances. My thoughts on that film are here. Loved every second of it. And a big part of the appeal was in Hughes’ performance – and also the performance of the kid who played her son (what a face!!). Best scene in the movie was when Rocky takes the sullen kid out – and they go to the dog pound to pick up a new dog for Rocky. The thing about Stallone is – he’s so good at this acting thing that it’s not commented on much. I don’t know, I think people think he’s just “being himself”. Which is malarkey. If you’ve ever seen an interview with Stallone, then you know how articulate he is, how almost … elegant he is, in his manners and demeanor. So no. Dude is NOT Rocky Balboa. It does him a GREAT disservice to dismiss him as just “playing himself”. The dynamic between Stallone and Hughes is subtle, kind, and open. In true Stallone fashion, he sets her up powerfully for the audience. We LOVE her. It’s NOT just about Stallone, and his performance – he has always surrounded himself with powerful secondary characters, who can raise him up, and add to the reality of the movies. Anyway, I loved Rocky Balboa, as you can see. I’m eager to see Pumpgirl, and to watch the beautiful Geraldine Hughes at work again.