Here's why I love it, since you asked... well, Gena Rowlands, obviously. Apart from that, I found the gender politics to be very progressive, despite the film being nearly 30 years old. It's basically a gangster movie, but about a woman. And whilst it's something of a cliche these days to 'feminise' traditionally male genres by adding a kid into the mix to justify the presence of a female character, they don't have her soften into a traditional maternal figure as you might expect. She absolutely does it her own way. If anything, she is even tougher by the end of the film.
Saying that, she's not just a chick with a dick either. John Cassavetes thankfully resists the temptation to 'ironically' juxtapose the action with scenes emphasizing superficial elements of her femininity, as other directors probably would have done (I can just imagine Gloria whipping out her lipstick for a quick touch up in the taxi after the shootout...gah.) Even when she is screaming "you let yourself be beaten by a woman!" to the gangsters on the train, there's never a comedy wink at the audience, stylistically speaking. She does whatever she has to, and she uses everything she's got, but she doesn't have supernatural powers - either physical or seductive - like 'strong' woman characters often do, in a patronising attempt at empowerment. They're forever knocking out huge guys with one punch etc. She's just the ultimate pragmatist. She's actually a total anomaly as a film character, in the best possible way. This is probably due to Gena Rowlands extraordinary ability to be beautiful and warm, fierce and steely all at once. She's virtually psychotic in this film but you don't doubt for a second that the kid is as as safe as he can be with her.
I watched this for the umpteenth time last night, and I couldn't have summed it up better than you have here. I enjoy this film very much, and yes, Gloria is in many ways a psychotic woman. But then again, many of the grittiest, exciting male leads are also psychotic, with also a semi-bizarre, 'moral' streak--think Travis Bickle, Michael Corleone, etc. But like you've mentioned, she never went over the top in her portrayal--no lipstick applications, or UFC scissor kicks, lol.
Rowlands ruled this role, and was never for a moment pretentious in her portrayal of Gloria. This is something I despise in most Hollywood fare, so I appreciate the 'soft glove' approach offered by Cassavettes, and also Rowlands. A fine film IMO, even despite the slower moments (which I actually appreciate). Modern Hollywood fare is too strongly focused on fast paced, action filled sequences that seem to never abate. Spare me. I'll take a semi-dead moment of sleepy dialogue, while a neon sign flickers outside any day.
Politics aside though - this is just a cracking film. It's got action and excitement; thrills and suspense; laughter and tears; a great pair of central characters & performances; evocative cinematography; and may i say, a wonderful wardrobe by Emanuel Ungaro.
I didn't realize her wardrobe was Ungaro. What a wonderful piece of trivia!
More science, less fiction.
Karlrobert Kreiten--http:
//tinyurl.com/n938vj
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