98. OK, I don't know if I can keep up this sort of frequency in my posts (maybe Sundays will be double performance day), but who can hold off when you have someone at 98 like Annette. Yes, Ms. Bening (Mrs. Beatty since 1992) takes this slot with her most recent outing. Annette has had the good fortune of playing opposite some of the 90's great leading men (John Cusack, Michael Douglas, Kevin Spacey), but this vehicle is completely and totally hers. Yes, Jeremy Irons (the always dependable) pops up and gives his British two cents, but the film centers on Annette.Of course, when you have an actress this game, how can you not focus on her? Her Julia is a triumph, moving around and eating scenes with a divaesque flair not seen since Bette Davis took on Margo Channing. My favorite scene (though there are many I adore) is when she takes the stage-that curtain call with her young nemesis, taking her down (as if anyone ever thought she could take on Annette?!?) "B-E-N!" "God, I love beer!"-she has such vivacious flare throughout the entire film. The performance isn't sublte, but it's damned spectacular, and who would want a mousy lady of the stage? "Real actresses don't make films" Here's one grand exception.
Though in reality any film with Bening in it would be worth an investigation, accomplishing a triple feature out of The American President, American Beauty, and Being Julia would be one of the best Saturday evenings you could possibly imagine. Bening, Bening, Bening-end the night with a round-the-table game of insulting Hilary Swank for taking our lady's two Oscars and you have yourself a party.
No comments:
Post a Comment