Monster in Law
The only thing notable about Monster in Law, which just came out on DVD, is that it features Jane Fonda's first performance on film in fifteen years. She, and Jennifer Lopez, don't pull any punches, literally, on film, and the result is hysterical. It's sort of a younger/older female vibe, pass the torch stuff, or whatever. I remember the atmosphere on another classic in this genre, Terms of Endearment, was pretty bad because Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger sort of took their characters a bit too much to heart, off screen, and the fur flew.
But, apparently, Jane is the real deal. At the first meeting with Jennifer, and the director, Jane kicked off her shoes and sat on the floor... obviously to cut the intimidation factor. The woman is a living legend, from her in your face Hanoi Jane, to China Syndrome, Coming Home, Barefoot in the Park to Golden Pond, two Oscars, Hayden, Turner, aerobics queen... open about all her foibles and weaknesses. She's lived quite a life. For a woman in her seventies, she looks fabulous. There is a dignity but a real flexibility of mind and emotion that seems to characterize all actors, even as they age. So many people get rigid but artists seem to keep expanding.
You hear so many actresses complain about what happens to them as they go past forty. Even la creme de la creme find themselves lacking for juicy roles. I look around at my own peers. The women my age when I was in my twenties were idealistic and vibrant, in my thirties they had careers and/or young babies... meaningful, somewhat exciting, at least interesting. Now my peers talk about their kids, their friends, their husbands... like the moons of the world. People don't write stories about moons, except Forrest Gump, who revolved around some interesting orbits. Writers write about stars.
Jane Fonda is a star of the highest magnitude and is very much worth watching in this film. She had been offered many good scripts during her retirement, but turned them down. As a result, she comes back, not as some washed up has been, given some second chance, but with confidence that exudes on screen and it's uplifting to watch a woman in this position.
But, apparently, Jane is the real deal. At the first meeting with Jennifer, and the director, Jane kicked off her shoes and sat on the floor... obviously to cut the intimidation factor. The woman is a living legend, from her in your face Hanoi Jane, to China Syndrome, Coming Home, Barefoot in the Park to Golden Pond, two Oscars, Hayden, Turner, aerobics queen... open about all her foibles and weaknesses. She's lived quite a life. For a woman in her seventies, she looks fabulous. There is a dignity but a real flexibility of mind and emotion that seems to characterize all actors, even as they age. So many people get rigid but artists seem to keep expanding.
You hear so many actresses complain about what happens to them as they go past forty. Even la creme de la creme find themselves lacking for juicy roles. I look around at my own peers. The women my age when I was in my twenties were idealistic and vibrant, in my thirties they had careers and/or young babies... meaningful, somewhat exciting, at least interesting. Now my peers talk about their kids, their friends, their husbands... like the moons of the world. People don't write stories about moons, except Forrest Gump, who revolved around some interesting orbits. Writers write about stars.
Jane Fonda is a star of the highest magnitude and is very much worth watching in this film. She had been offered many good scripts during her retirement, but turned them down. As a result, she comes back, not as some washed up has been, given some second chance, but with confidence that exudes on screen and it's uplifting to watch a woman in this position.
posted by Intervision at 10:24 AM
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