Melanie Griffith received her first Oscar nomination for playing Tess McGill in Working Girl. Tess gets a new job for Katherine, (Signourney Weaver) a bitchy, self centered business woman who breaks her leg while skiing and as a result , Tess has to take over. Tess then finds out that that Katharine took some brilliant business idea of hers and passes it off as her own and Tess decides to pretend that she has Katharine's job and she gets a handsome business man (Harrison Ford) to help her who she falls in love with. What an amazing performance! Just kidding. While I don't think Griffith is awful, I don't think she knew what to do with the character, especially in the first half. Another problem is that I think that her performance is not very inspired, just like the film itself (Which I have no idea how it got so many nominations). But there are some good things though. The scene when she meets Ford in the nightclub is played just right and Griffith really shines. Also, the scene when she tells off Katharine in the lobby is very good as well. But this doesn't change that the performance is not very strong and Griffith doesn't do anything that is Oscar-worthy. I've decided to be nice and give her
18 comments:
Looks like fifth place probably. It looks very bad for a performance when being nice equals 2 stars. I basically agree, except I probably would not be as nice.
Yes, ha ha. She will most likely be fifth place. What you would you rate her?
One star I suppose.
That low? What did you think of Weaver and Cusack in it?
Yeah that low, it is not that deep of a part and she does not pull it off. Weaver was good, and Cusack was okay.
Weaver was fun, but I think a nomination was too much, same with Cusack. 1988 was a terrible year for Best Supporting Actress, well from what I've seen (I haven't seen Davis yet). The only one I liked was McDormand. What did you think of her?
2 stars seems about right :)
What was the deal with the Academy and this movie?
I honestly have no idea. I don't have a problem with Weaver's nomination, or Cusack's, or even Griffith's, (Even though In probably wouldn't give them nominations) but Best Picture? Best Director? There was nothing unique or exceptional about it. How would you have ranked the Best Picture nominees this year?
McDormand was pretty good but not amazing.
I agree, Louis. It isn't on the level of fantastic, but I thought she was very subtle and was the key to the film, in both her performance and character. I would give it a four, but what would you give her and she is your pick?
Four seems about right, she might be my pick but I would have to watch An Accidental Tourist again to be sure.
Weaver and Cusack are fun, but nothing I would nominate.
All of them are pretty meh to me, but I'd pick The Accidental Tourist which I liked alot.
Sage: I'd pick either Dangerous Liasons or Mississipi Burning, which I both really liked, even though Liasons was a little dull. I haven't seen Rain Man yet, but I turned off The Accidental Tourist. It was too slow for me. But I'll try to watch it again.
Louis: What did you think of Gene Hackman in M.B?
I want to try to leave my actor thoughts for my write ups but I'll say I thought it was a fine southern reprise of his French Connection performance.
Something about Griffth's performance just didn't click with me. The whole movie suffers because she just cannot for her life carry it.
I'll save my opinions about Weaver and Cusack for my profiles.
I liked Nichols' direction and most of the '80sish aspects of the film still seem fresh today.
Oh. I love her performance here. But I agree. This isn't a performance for the ages.
Would have been 3.5 to 4.5 for me.
Oh, and I love this film. I may sound crazy but this is my Best Picture of 1988.
Twister: I disagree. I think that she suffered because the film itself does not work. But I did also like the 80's feel of it.
Malcom: I'm glad to see someone who likes her! Would you have given Weaver or Cusack the win in Best Supporting Actress?
Well, I can't really say. But if I'm going to choose between the two, I'll go with Weaver. It's a strong year, but she's my winner.
Post a Comment