noreaster13 Reviews

Searching for Debra Winger (2002)

Talent or Appearance?

[2/10 · 20 December 2004]

The problem with this question of aging actresses fading in Hollywood is that many of them were originally hired NOT for their talent, but because of the fact that they were young and cute (or also, in the case of Jane Fonda, the daughter of a celebrity.). The assumption that all of these women have great talent that is going untapped simply isn't true.

With that comes some personal responsibility. If you buy into that world, and agree to be rewarded just on your looks and youth, those things will fade and so will your career.

But there are some that are so egotistical (such as Sharon Stone) that somehow believe that they are being persecuted because their fabulous artistic "talent" isn't being given a chance. Sorry, Sharon. Your talent is self-imagined.

There also is the problem that aging American women don't want to pay money to see aging actresses on the screen. If they did, more older actresses would get lots of work.

One thing that comes across loud and clear in this film is what amazingly huge egos many of these artistes have. They truly believe that the world owes them attention and that they are special.

One more thing- I shudder to think how many stylists it took to get many of these women ready for the camera here. They are "done" to the max- plastic surgery, makeup, wigs, and all. It's a bit terrifying, and reinforces the idea that for many of these women, appearance is all there is.

Gloria (1980)

An American Classic

[24 August 2003]

There must be a million woman like Gloria. They never got educated but they're smart. They're good looking, but not enough to get that gangster boyfriend to leave his wife. They hostess or maybe they just are table dressing for as long as they can. They make enough to have a decent apartment, and they hock the gift jewelry and furs and stick the money in a safe deposit box for the day they just can't do it any more. Can't smile and nod and be sweet, and the goombas look to the younger girls for attention. They try to keep quiet and keep their nose clean and ignore the young punks that treat them a little worse every year.

But life can mess up your plans, as it does for Gloria when it dumps an orphaned kid in her lap and some of her p***ed gangster pals at her door. And the decision she makes to save the kid's life means she can never go back.

"Gloria" isn't really about stuff like violence or mobsters or guns at all. It's about the hopes and wishes and loneliness of a life that represents the lives of many invisible woman. Gloria has always been a "broad" as she says. Never the Madonna, to be worshipped and respected. Always the Whore to be stepped on. And it sucks to be at the mercy and whim of men. Especially cruel, stupid thugs who don't have the brains or guts to do anything but lie, cheat, steal, and kill women and children.

Gloria reluctantly gives up her old life. She gave years of her life to these slobs and she doesn't want to lose the little she got for her troubles. She just wants peace and quiet and to be left alone. Why give it up to help some annoying kid?

But when she makes the decision to do just that, her rage and resentment explode.

Gena Rowlands gives a flawless performance that burns bright and makes the viewer feel the rage of those who hide their intelligence and personality and try to "get by" in a world of lesser men. Gloria's got more balls and brains than any of the suits that run the racket. And now she's going to prove it.

"Gloria" is what happens when adults make movies for adults. No childish chatter, no idealized and airbrushed world, no moralizing and preaching. This movie has blood in its veins.