Stockard Channing was probably too good to win an Oscar for her stunning performance in what is undoubtedly one of the more underrated movies of the 90's. Even Will Smith's performance, as uneven as it is, makes perfect sense.
Stockard Channing was born for this role and she certainly nailed it ... on stage AND on screen. I saw her finish a matinee performance at Lincoln Center, fighting all day against the loss of her voice. And of course she shines in the film, having rehearsed the scenes for so long! An American masterpiece.
This is quite frankly one of my favorite movies ever. The story line twists and winds itself tighter and tighter into a fabulous ball of twine, so to speak. The acting by every character is amazing, and it has Chuck Close in it. All together a win-win!
"How do we keep what happens to us , how do we fit it into life without turning it into an anecdote?.. And we become these human jukeboxes spilling out these anecdotes, but it was an, experience. How do we keep the experience?"
Why does this scene always bring tears to my eyes? Does anyone else feel it too? I love this movie so much. I kind of wish Will Smith had done more roles like this. I was so impressed by him.
I had to come here after the passing of Donald Sutherland. This is of course Channing’s scene, but like in a lot of his roles, the genius of Sutherland was being the understated glue that allowed the big performances to really shine through. I’m not sure if this was a choice on Scepisi’s part, but I love the framing of Flan and Ouisa sitting across from each other like adversaries. Ouisa is pouring her heart out and Flan is still casting nervous glances from side to side because they’re his priority, not her. “A terrible match” indeed, but a pitch perfect scene.
I hope that Claudia Rankine will include this film, and play, in her study of whiteness. What does it mean to walk away from one's whiteness, to recognize that the revolution in intersectional thinking lies is the recognition that we hold one another's memories and that is an immense responsibility. Channing's performance, for me, is among the greatest in the American cinema. I would place her in the same category as some of Gena Rowlands's legendary turns in her husband's pictures. Great stuff!
Think that is a very interesting and thoughtful comparison to Rowland's seminal work. And agree that Channing's performance "is among the greatest in the American cinema."
I was at an event, I believe it was some 35 years ago. David Hampton threw a drink at someone, it ended up on me. Go figure. Someone mentioned to me after the fact who David Hampton was. I didn't know of his notoriety at the time. I didn't know he died until a few minutes ago Googling him. I remember seeing the film when it was released.
