tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post6563707819413022436..comments2024-03-28T21:19:42.625-05:00Comments on Word on the Streep: Recasting 1999: "American Beauty"Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-60214413428121108672021-01-11T16:22:25.658-06:002021-01-11T16:22:25.658-06:00I guess I don't really look at it that way. Th...I guess I don't really look at it that way. The recasting project is sort of in a parallel universe or filmography. I consider it more an additional or alternative filmography. I don't cut anything I like! But sometimes I'm on the fence for what I actually do cut. Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-1267554390396181032021-01-11T16:13:13.668-06:002021-01-11T16:13:13.668-06:00Yes that too but also the actual movies it pained ...Yes that too but also the actual movies it pained you to cut from Meryl's actual filmography CJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937312863597687063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-28770467498492389442021-01-11T15:45:51.862-06:002021-01-11T15:45:51.862-06:00Do you mean which ones I came close to selecting b...Do you mean which ones I came close to selecting but didn't?Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-70126905428588102932021-01-11T15:18:27.196-06:002021-01-11T15:18:27.196-06:00Jeff when you reach 2021 you should compile a list...Jeff when you reach 2021 you should compile a list of the most difficult movies to lose.. CJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937312863597687063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-53077691748294098942021-01-11T09:38:11.275-06:002021-01-11T09:38:11.275-06:00Got it. Makes sense from that perspective. Appreci...Got it. Makes sense from that perspective. Appreciate you sharing. Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-24112343386695133392021-01-11T01:56:34.115-06:002021-01-11T01:56:34.115-06:00Hi Jeff, I'd have to watch it again to go into...Hi Jeff, I'd have to watch it again to go into a lot of detail, but I recall that a good deal of the liberation on offer was via illicit drug dealing and addiction. The suggestion of freedom along that pathway is a complete illusion, from my experience of others in my generation.Michael Burgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09718312125832719092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-73724939975509192532021-01-10T18:07:32.149-06:002021-01-10T18:07:32.149-06:00Thanks, Michael. If you're willing, I'd be...Thanks, Michael. If you're willing, I'd be interested to know more about the problems you found with the film in regard to views of freedom in particular. Especially from someone who recalls taking issue at the time of the film's original release. <br /><br />Agreed regarding Cooper. And Bjork's performance in Dancer in the Dark broke my heart. Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-25303282645663240432021-01-09T21:08:47.758-06:002021-01-09T21:08:47.758-06:00I was one of the rare viewers who was deeply troub...I was one of the rare viewers who was deeply troubled by 'American Beauty' at the time it came out, which I recall led to a few arguments with friends and colleagues. I felt the film's view of what constituted 'freedom' and 'beauty' was way, way off, and the way it casualised domestic violence.<br /><br />I also have to admit that by then I suspected Kevin Spacey was not all he presented himself to be, which added to the disingenuous aura around this film, for me.<br /><br />The endless slo-mo close ups of a plastic bag flying around... sorry, just didn't buy it. But Chris Cooper's portrayal of his character was flawless. It's what underpinned the entire movie.<br /><br />I can imagine Streep in it. She would have eaten Kevin Spacey alive and I reckon he would have dropped out of the project, to be replaced by stalwart Streep right-hand-man Jack Nicholson.<br /><br />I'm stumped for a 2020 pick. The only one I can see is Streep in the Catherine Deneuve role in 'Dancer in the Dark'. <br />Michael Burgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09718312125832719092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-85658763435767149372021-01-08T01:58:01.830-06:002021-01-08T01:58:01.830-06:00I agree completely with your top 3 although for a ...I agree completely with your top 3 although for a Frances win it might take a year without Sophie's Choice (assuming they found a great actress to replace Meryl?)<br /><br />Yes, John Wells should maybe have gallantly stepped aside and let a more seasoned or artful Director make "August" into an American masterpiece. I still really like the movie and Meryl is stunning but I don't like how the story was butchered. In the right hands it could have been longer yet still riveting. <br /><br />I feel the same for "The Iron Lady". You have an actress virtually channeling Thatcher but THAT performance is trapped in an ill-conceived film with a screenplay that skims over some of the most fascinating British political history, directed by someone very clearly out of their depth. A better screenplay and superior Director and what magic we could have had!<br /><br />To a lesser extent I feel this way about "Doubt" too. Still a great movie but could have been a classic with slightly more skillful Director. CJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937312863597687063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-47691237641591303472021-01-07T20:42:36.148-06:002021-01-07T20:42:36.148-06:00Yeah, I guess I always sort of considered this a d...Yeah, I guess I always sort of considered this a dark comedy. <br /><br />As far as roles I could conceivably have seen Meryl winning for with this recasting, top three would have to be: Frances, Dangerious Liasons, and The Piano. <br /><br />But so much of winning goes into the narrative, not just the movie. If one is "overdue" it's a way bigger chance usually than if you just won for something recently. The performance has to be undeniable to score something close together. Tom Hanks in Philadelphia and then Forrest Gump. Katharine Hepburn's in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and The Lion in Winter. <br /><br />I had hoped that Meryl might pull this off for The Iron Lady and August:Osage County. Possibly with a different director for the latter. Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115351346180340694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751049975001656578.post-18942832240655249162021-01-06T17:21:06.084-06:002021-01-06T17:21:06.084-06:00Another great choice Jeff and one I had considered...Another great choice Jeff and one I had considered myself previously when thinking about this year. I always thought this was considered Annette Bening's great role and did not realise it had its detractors.<br /><br />I guess I got thrown off a little bit as you said there would be three comedies coming up in the latter part of the decade! Maybe part of this movie could be considered to be dark comedy. <br /><br />I think this movie still stands up well although I would not consider it the masterpiece some argue it to be. Completely agree that Meryl would be able to pull off the role splendidly, she could easily pass for younger at any age and could bring a lot of interesting nuance to the part. <br /><br />For 2000 I wanted to go with "Requiem for a Dream", and absolutely breathtaking role although I do think she would be too young at the stage to play "Sara Goldfarb". I will instead go for the role of "Laine Hanson" in the political drama "The Contender". This movie is perhaps a little forgotten today but I think it still holds up well and the role is certainly an interesting one.<br /><br />You mentioned this would be 17 years since Meryl's last win. I am intrigued to know which roles in your reimagined filmography you could conceivably see Meryl win for. There are so many amazing choices, some of which virtually undeniable for the Oscar! CJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937312863597687063noreply@blogger.com