The Actress (1953)
It seems a bit egocentric of Ruth Gordon to write an entire Broadway play about her life, then adapt it into a movie, doesn’t it? Especially since the plot doesn’t have anything to do with her career or fame, just her upbringing as a young girl. Why is her story of a disapproving father and teenage angst more compelling than any other? What is so distinctive about her youth that requires vindication of her frustration by millions of audience members?
In terrible miscasting, Jean Simmons plays the homely, awkward misfit who constantly throws away her parents plans for her in her quest to be an actress. Her parents are Spencer Tracy and Teresa Wright, who don’t give any better performances than Jean. Spence is in his “I’m going to shout no matter what” phase, and Teresa merely shuffles around like an old woman and tries to avoid the wrath of her husband and the ridiculous theatrics of her daughter without lifting a finger to prevent either. Jean’s acting is irritating enough to make even the back row of the theater despise her, and her character is so self-centered it’s a wonder she wasn’t supposed to be seen as a villain. You will get a chance to see a pre-famous Anthony Perkins as Jean’s boyfriend, but it’s not worth watching this entire movie for his ten minutes.
If you liked this movie, check out Member of the Wedding, which has the same stylized acting. I can’t stand movies that are so wordy and play-like, with the same type of acting that you’d find in a theatre troupe that’s still rehearsing. But to each his own.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
More Teresa Wright movies here!
In terrible miscasting, Jean Simmons plays the homely, awkward misfit who constantly throws away her parents plans for her in her quest to be an actress. Her parents are Spencer Tracy and Teresa Wright, who don’t give any better performances than Jean. Spence is in his “I’m going to shout no matter what” phase, and Teresa merely shuffles around like an old woman and tries to avoid the wrath of her husband and the ridiculous theatrics of her daughter without lifting a finger to prevent either. Jean’s acting is irritating enough to make even the back row of the theater despise her, and her character is so self-centered it’s a wonder she wasn’t supposed to be seen as a villain. You will get a chance to see a pre-famous Anthony Perkins as Jean’s boyfriend, but it’s not worth watching this entire movie for his ten minutes.
If you liked this movie, check out Member of the Wedding, which has the same stylized acting. I can’t stand movies that are so wordy and play-like, with the same type of acting that you’d find in a theatre troupe that’s still rehearsing. But to each his own.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
More Teresa Wright movies here!