Robert, this is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful actress. She stood way above the stars of her era for so many reasons. Recently, I saw one of her more mainstream film performances in Lonely Are the Brave (1962), with Kirk Douglas. Even in a studio film playing a more traditional leading lady role, she brought a kind of energy and urgency to her character that few other actresses would have been able to. My favorite of her films is Opening Night. Making that film must have been an exhausting experience, considering what she went through both emotionally and physically. Another performance I love is her TV movie Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter. She and Bette Davis worked so well together and became good friends to the end of Davis' life. There is just so much that she gave to the cinema. Love Streams is also a big favorite of mine, but it's so raw and so real, it's difficult and painful to watch. It's so sad to watch the world I grew up in fade away, although, and I truly hate to say this, it's getting to seem normal and less shocking. I think tonight I will pour myself a stiff drink and watch Opening Night. May she rest in peace. Now she and John can be together forever. Arguing passionately, no doubt!
Very nice tribute and insight Robert! So glad I was able to see Ms. Rowlands interviewed several years ago at a showing of "Woman Under the Influence." She was down-to-earth, warm and funny relating stories regarding her life and career. RIP to a legend!
Thanks for this, Robert. I first met Gena Rowlands on "Peyton Place" when I was a teenager. I was immediately mesmerized by her performance, and sought her out in anything, be it sugary television movies or the real deal roles on the big screen. Will anyone ever be that truthful and vulnerable again? She gave me the inspiration of where to go in my work. Sleep well, Gena Rowlands.
This was lovely, I'm so happy I found your channel. Ever since Gena Rowlands passed away, I have been watching as much of her work as I can. I always knew she was a terrific actress, but now I have really come to understand what a truly unique talent she was. How much she gives of herself, the rawness of her performances, the strength combined with a heartbreaking vulnerability, her dedication to her character without a single ounce of prestige - her acting is just on another level. And the Cassavetes-movies I have seen lately - simply stunning. I adore how they demand so much of us as viewers. In this day of remakes and sequels and prequels and cinematic universes and live action atrocities, we are always being served things in a nice little package with a pretty bow on top. This is a bad guy, this is a good guy, we don't have to think about character motivations or wants and needs, because there isn't anything to think about, everything is just scrubbed clean. Not every new movie is like this of course, but way too many. So for me it has been truly remarkable to step into Cassavetes world of problematic, broken, confused characters, and be with them at their lowest point and just embracing them. What a gift Cassavetes and Rowlands were to the world. She is also so wonderful in other things, of course. I found a lovely move here on Yotube called The Color of Love, and there's Once Around where she is wonderful. And Hysterical Blindness - what a gem of a movie, so happy you mentioned that! Watching movies like A Woman Under The Influence, Opening Night (I think I have watched that one five times in the last month), Minnie and Moskowitz and Faces really has been an eye opening experience. I have been searching for Love Streams everywhere, and was finally able to find a copy on DVD, I'm gonna watch it tonight, and I can't wait! Thank you again, I truly enjoyed this video.
Thank you so much for your kind comments ! I'm happy to see that you're enjoying the incredible performances of Gena Rowlands ! I hope you like Love Streams.
I don't usually chime in because you are just great. But his time I have to say that a better microphone would make listening to your videos much more enjoyable.
@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies I am a bit of an audiophile and usually have my Beyers on so that could be it, but yeah, it does sound a bit harsh. Especially given your material and how you go about it, I would totally recommend a warmer sound. Just my two cents. Good stuff as always.
Well said! Just re-watched Gloria the other day. One of my favs. I also started watching her in postdeath Cassavetes films -- Hallmark movies. She can pull off those roles too, which have super lame scripts but her acting ups the quality. Amazing actress who could do so many different roles.
Robert, this is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful actress. She stood way above the stars of her era for so many reasons. Recently, I saw one of her more mainstream film performances in Lonely Are the Brave (1962), with Kirk Douglas. Even in a studio film playing a more traditional leading lady role, she brought a kind of energy and urgency to her character that few other actresses would have been able to. My favorite of her films is Opening Night. Making that film must have been an exhausting experience, considering what she went through both emotionally and physically. Another performance I love is her TV movie Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter. She and Bette Davis worked so well together and became good friends to the end of Davis' life. There is just so much that she gave to the cinema. Love Streams is also a big favorite of mine, but it's so raw and so real, it's difficult and painful to watch. It's so sad to watch the world I grew up in fade away, although, and I truly hate to say this, it's getting to seem normal and less shocking. I think tonight I will pour myself a stiff drink and watch Opening Night. May she rest in peace. Now she and John can be together forever. Arguing passionately, no doubt!
Thanks Michael ! I still have to see the film she did with Bette Davis. Enjoy OPENING NIGHT!
Love Gena Rowlands ❤. Love her voice
Me too!
Very nice tribute and insight Robert! So glad I was able to see Ms. Rowlands interviewed several years ago at a showing of "Woman Under the Influence." She was down-to-earth, warm and funny relating stories regarding her life and career. RIP to a legend!
Thanks so much ! I wish I had met her.
1930-2024 💎A Woman Under the Influence is a classic. I also liked all her 1960s TV roles: Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Bonanza, etc.
Me too!
I'm hoping Criterion will do a retrospective 🤞
They highlighted her just now
Thanks for this, Robert. I first met Gena Rowlands on "Peyton Place" when I was a teenager. I was immediately mesmerized by her performance, and sought her out in anything, be it sugary television movies or the real deal roles on the big screen. Will anyone ever be that truthful and vulnerable again? She gave me the inspiration of where to go in my work. Sleep well, Gena Rowlands.
Thanks for sharing ! Glad you liked the video.
This was lovely, I'm so happy I found your channel.
Ever since Gena Rowlands passed away, I have been watching as much of her work as I can. I always knew she was a terrific actress, but now I have really come to understand what a truly unique talent she was. How much she gives of herself, the rawness of her performances, the strength combined with a heartbreaking vulnerability, her dedication to her character without a single ounce of prestige - her acting is just on another level.
And the Cassavetes-movies I have seen lately - simply stunning. I adore how they demand so much of us as viewers. In this day of remakes and sequels and prequels and cinematic universes and live action atrocities, we are always being served things in a nice little package with a pretty bow on top. This is a bad guy, this is a good guy, we don't have to think about character motivations or wants and needs, because there isn't anything to think about, everything is just scrubbed clean. Not every new movie is like this of course, but way too many.
So for me it has been truly remarkable to step into Cassavetes world of problematic, broken, confused characters, and be with them at their lowest point and just embracing them. What a gift Cassavetes and Rowlands were to the world.
She is also so wonderful in other things, of course. I found a lovely move here on Yotube called The Color of Love, and there's Once Around where she is wonderful. And Hysterical Blindness - what a gem of a movie, so happy you mentioned that!
Watching movies like A Woman Under The Influence, Opening Night (I think I have watched that one five times in the last month), Minnie and Moskowitz and Faces really has been an eye opening experience. I have been searching for Love Streams everywhere, and was finally able to find a copy on DVD, I'm gonna watch it tonight, and I can't wait!
Thank you again, I truly enjoyed this video.
Thank you so much for your kind comments ! I'm happy to see that you're enjoying the incredible performances of Gena Rowlands ! I hope you like Love Streams.
I don't usually chime in because you are just great. But his time I have to say that a better microphone would make listening to your videos much more enjoyable.
Really ? Damn and I just got this not long ago . Does it not sound too good ?
@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies I am a bit of an audiophile and usually have my Beyers on so that could be it, but yeah, it does sound a bit harsh. Especially given your material and how you go about it, I would totally recommend a warmer sound. Just my two cents. Good stuff as always.
@carolbaez5891 thanks for letting me know
Well said! Just re-watched Gloria the other day. One of my favs. I also started watching her in postdeath Cassavetes films -- Hallmark movies. She can pull off those roles too, which have super lame scripts but her acting ups the quality. Amazing actress who could do so many different roles.
Absolutely!