Klute (1971)
Jane Fonda won her first Oscar for playing a hooker in Klute. She proudly touted her extensive research to play an authentic prostitute, and had a hand in designing her character’s apartment. But walking around braless in the 1970s was not a way of life exclusive to hookers. Jane is beautiful, self-assured, and strong, qualities that also aren't exclusive, let alone expected, of hookers. Women who choose that occupation don’t have self-respect, and it’s hard to imagine Jane Fonda so broken that she’d actually take to the streets.
Besides that, Jane does look absolutely beautiful in Klute, with impeccable makeup and a famous haircut. She wins the female audience over with her numerous sex scenes, showing that even when a woman seems like she’s enjoying herself, she’s really just looking at her watch. The main plot, which feels like a side-line next to the sex scenes, is a murder mystery. Donald Sutherland plays the title character, a private detective, hired to find a man who’s been harassing Jane Fonda with obscene phone calls and letters. It turns out he’s a serial killer with a penchant for call girls—oh no!
While there are some scary parts to the movie, on the whole this film is overrated. If Jane Fonda hadn’t won an Oscar for it—which may be seen as a make-up Oscar for her loss for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?--it would be a cheesy thriller with gratuitous sex thrown in. If you like these types of movies, however, you’ll probably want to rent this one to see where they all began.
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to graphic sex scenes, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Jane Fonda movies here!
Besides that, Jane does look absolutely beautiful in Klute, with impeccable makeup and a famous haircut. She wins the female audience over with her numerous sex scenes, showing that even when a woman seems like she’s enjoying herself, she’s really just looking at her watch. The main plot, which feels like a side-line next to the sex scenes, is a murder mystery. Donald Sutherland plays the title character, a private detective, hired to find a man who’s been harassing Jane Fonda with obscene phone calls and letters. It turns out he’s a serial killer with a penchant for call girls—oh no!
While there are some scary parts to the movie, on the whole this film is overrated. If Jane Fonda hadn’t won an Oscar for it—which may be seen as a make-up Oscar for her loss for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?--it would be a cheesy thriller with gratuitous sex thrown in. If you like these types of movies, however, you’ll probably want to rent this one to see where they all began.
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to graphic sex scenes, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Jane Fonda movies here!