You're a very limited audience member if you dismiss Johnson's character as "one note". The subtleties and richness she brings to Miss Mackay are marvelous: her fondness for the students; her true love for the school; her wary way of negotiating conversations with Brodie; the flutters of disapproval that would pass over her face; her supressed delight in finding out about Brodie and Lowther fraternizing; in the "letter" scene, her anger at what she sees as Brodie's corrupting of children, and her utter intimidation at Brodie's hands; her conspiratorial scheming with Miss Gaunt; and her final low-key but complete triumph at the end. All that presented beautifully and believably - NOTHING superfluous - in a wholly realized characterization of a dedicated, tightly conventional, authoritarian headmistress. And that achievement is "one note" to you?
As for "alive and real in every moment": that would describe the best of Sean Penn, Heath Ledger or Jodie Foster, to name some. Pamela Franklin's certainly not in that category. Her performance here is often opaque - her face inexpressive, her readings unsurprising, her demeanor suggesting nothing underneath the surface.
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rascal67
11 years ago
rrb, it has been interesting reading your response about the technical qualities and subtleties of Johnson's performance and I am open and accepting to intelligent, educated responses that challenge. You have obviously paid prudent attention to what she brought to the character and also to what you feel Franklin brought to her character and performance. As for my statement about Johnson's performance being "one note", this was more in regards to the façade of what her character represented in the film, not the underlying qualities that she brought to her performance. As stated in my post, I did comment on it being a superb performance; however I personally did not find it as surprising as Franklin's.
Celia Johnson was 60 when she appeared in this film and was also an experienced stage actress. Pamela Franklin was only 18yrs of age and wouldn't have the experience of her learned co-star. She had a much different role to play and boy did she play alive and real to the hilt.........you could even say that Franklin was in her prime with this performance. Any other experienced veteran actress could have played Johnson's headmistress role and have been just as impressive....WENDY HILLER for example. Franklin was a breath of fresh air and gave an uninhibited courageous performance.
It is interesting that you comment of her face being inexpressive, because that aspect of her performance is what I perceive as part of Sandy's character and personality to some extent. There was some coldness and I see this as the crux of the woman she would have ended up becoming and this would have been deliberate. Sandy was obviously a sharp and intelligent girl who was able to hold her own against her superiors and elders. This was just perfect for the era and setting.
You obviously know how you feel about the performance and anything I say too try and justify it wouldn't convince you with any ramblings. I do appreciate your insight though.
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rrb
11 years ago
You keep repeating the same thing: in essence, "She was great!". WHY? You throw about adjectives about like "alive and real", "courageous", etc. but can't pay any of them off. HOW was her performance any of those things? You can't justify your opinion b/c you can't deconstruct the actress's work.
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rascal67
11 years ago
rrb, I would say that "great", is a too generic term. There are other superlatives that I could laud on Franklin's performance. It is the whole that counts and I am not going to through the aspects of Franklin's performance to justify to you why I feel her performance resonated with me.......it wouldn't mean anything to you due to your attitude about it. "alive and real", were your terms to describe what her performance wasn't. I was rebounding of that—PERFECT EXPRESSION—to describe what I saw it was.
This film came out in 1969 and was somewhat controversial. It was courageous of Franklin to portray the charcter of Sandy and exude the sexuality she did. Maybe a better term to have used would be "uninhibited". It was also courageous that she was as impressive as she was and gave the performance she did, considering all the experienced talent she was surrounded by. I have seen many films and I can't personally recall a performance from an actress of Franklin's age that has impressed me as much...........maybe Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynsky in 'Heavenly Creatures', from 1994. I find it inspiring, watching Franklin act in this film. If her performance didn't connect with you that is your call, but I would say that you would be in the minority.
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rrb
11 years ago
Your posts just get more asinine and your posturing more ludicrous. You can't defend your opinions; now you claim you won't try b/c "it wouldn't mean anything to you"! LOL!!! What a transparent ploy!
Franklin’s age and willingness to perform nude have nothing to do with the quality of her acting. Introducing those topics is just another avoidance tactic.
And if you're going to adopt that pedantic tone, at least learn good English. "Laud on"? "I was rebounding of that"? "It was also courageous that she was as impressive..." You sound like a 6th grader desperately trying to sound smarter than she is.
As I said previously, you're a limited audience member; your reactions aren't informed by any analytical ability. I welcome the chance to exchange informed reactions to performances and debate pro's and con's, but that’s plainly beyond you.
Don’t waste time responding (though you’ll probably feel compelled to spew more palaver, coyly topped off with a smiley face). You’re being ignored.
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gorye
11 years ago
Don’t waste time responding... You’re being ignored.
At last...
Having little wish to read what both of you wrote here because it might be insulting for two excellent actresses who surely can't be responsible for the squabble.
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rascal67
11 years ago
Looks like I have unleashed a demon rrb. A previous poster warned that you were a troublemaker. More likely, your just hungup over your failed acting or teaching career due to your self opinionated, self congratulating and inordinate arrogant attitude.
If anyone has been trying hard to impress it has been you, but nobody has really paid you much attention.....have they? It's a pity that I have resorted to a bitter diatribe, but your rudeness and lack of respect has earned it. How's this for coy!
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