Gena Rowlands a true actress
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Gena Rowlands
chevelless67 — 14 years ago(May 13, 2011 10:00 AM)
I rarely post anything on imdb but after watching Opening Night I was blown away by Gena Rowlands performance(I hate using performance when it comes to acting but for a lack of a better word). This is the best acting I have seen period. I knew of her before this movie but did not know her history of work. Her work here made me think of actresses now. Natlie Portman's nomination for best actress in Black Swan though deserved, I thought doesnt even hold a candle to Rowlands acting talents. Why woud I even compare the two? Well I guess I wish there were more films and actors like this but yet I cant think of one actress now who could play this role. I know its not fair to compare diffrent types of films and periods but how Rowlands was not even nominated for a Oscar defies logic. The balancing act that she had to toe between not over acting and still creating a complex charcter is a sign of her gift. She also had to work in a Cassavete's acting environment which, though scripted, allowed plenty of improvisonal work. I love discussing and critiquing film(film-meaning for me is a movie that has a arching story line and doeb68s not pander to its audience). However it's sad that it's becoming harder to do that now. I kow film should be for entertainment but it should also make you think. Where is our Gena Rowalnds or John Cassavetes now? I don't know the answer to that but to Gena Rowlands I say Bravo!!!!
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blameline — 14 years ago(June 19, 2011 10:08 AM)
Watching Ms. Rowlands in "A Woman Under the Influence" is unlike anything put to film. It's almost like watching a documentary. You cannot call it acting in the same vein as any other run of the mill actress. This transcends acting to a pinnacle beyond anything seen on film.
Next thing they'll be breeding us like cattle. You've gotta tell them. SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE! -
FranLovesBetteD — 14 years ago(October 07, 2011 08:21 PM)
Just rewatched her in "The Skeleton Key", and I'm still amazed by how great of an actress she is. Gena Rowlands is by far my favorite living actress. She's always wonderful in just anything!
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop -
FranLovesBetteD — 13 years ago(May 23, 2012 08:26 AM)
I just finished watching Gena in "Another Woman" for the first time, and now I love her all the more! Such a perfect performance she gave in it; it deserved at least an Oscar nomination.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop -
Tonto4848 — 13 years ago(August 16, 2012 09:56 PM)
Spot on !
They don't make unique films like Opening Night and a Woman Under The Influence anymore, well at least not in Hollywood. These films are the domain of the Independent film makers, and for their unique ideas to work, they need a high quality performance from their actor(s)to compensate for the budget restrictions and the pap that attracts and sells to the mainstream audience.
Gena Rowlands was the perfect icon to highlight Cassavetes work. A brilliant actress whose special relationship with her director husband, allowed for the most intimate of film making moments between actor and camera. There is true chemistry at work being captured on a low budget !
There is more of the art form of film on display with the Cassavettes / Rowland masterpieces, and that is why their films are treasured far more in Europe than in the Hollywood Hills or the Mega Cinema complexes.
For me, the closest I have found these days, to these high quality director / actor combos delivering such sorts of intimate films, is with some of the European film makers / actors, like :
Pedro Almodovar / Penelope Cruz
Jean-Pierre Jeunet / Audrey Tautao
Susanne Bi2000er / Mikael Persbrandt
Francois Ozon / Charlotte Rampling -
pimp4u — 12 years ago(September 24, 2013 09:12 PM)
I'm currently watching 'A Woman Under the Influence' and I totally agree. I have NEVER seen an actress play a role so convincingly. She wasn't acting - she WAS that woman! Over the next few days, I will be looking for more movies of hers. Also, I think she was and is an incredibly beautiful woman.