I grew up watching Kristy McNichol in Family, I'm a week older than her, always loved her, thought she was a great young actress, always thought she was pretty and had a beautiful smile, I like her style too. I never thought of her as a tomboy exactly, more like just athletic, and if you remember watching her doing Battle of the Network Stars she always won every competition, she was always very much a girl.
In Little Darlings, Kristy gives an Academy Award winning type of performance, acting does not get any better then her's here. Watch how the camera stays on her allowing her to vary her expressions, and watch a master's acting class in emoting at work, watch her eyes well up with tears, she smiles then her expression changes again, very complex stuff, it's hard, no it's impossible to tell she's acting, she's feeling the moment, we feel what Kristy feels, the crying is so real that even her nose is running. This is amazing work, a performance that rivals any of the other greats.
Kristy McNichol should have been nominated for an Academy Award, the movie isn't exactly an Oscar worthy nominee, regardless this is top notch acting, I don't know that she would have stood a chance going up against Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter (haven't seen it). It's funny, Tatum O'Neil had the choice of parts, can anyone imagine her playing Angel? Tatum is an Oscar winner herself, but she is totally out of her league compared to McNichol, she was just ho-hum and I saw nothing challenging from her in this, Kristy totally carries this movie all by herself from start to finish. Every single Little Darlings review that I've read, each and everyone of them praises Kristy's acting, that says a lot! Even Streep, Pacino, and Dinero get attacked by somebody in their movie reviews, not this one, wow.
To the OP, that's great what your film teacher said, I can just picture the looks on everyone's face Kristy McNichol? Al Pacino, what great company to be in, what an honor, that's so great.
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G_man2
11 years ago
i read through this entire thread - every single comment.
count me in as a Kristy veteran. in the dark ages (pre-cable) we weren't allowed to watch ABC - our local station did not come in clearly, and mom and dad thought that it would ruin the TV. :(
but when i COULD sneak in viewing time, i would, as i thought Kristy was super-cool and plain freaking hot (she still is, in 2013!).
i actually DO remember the show "Apple's Way", and dare i mention that i remember the 'little boy' who was looking for the Apple family's distinctive mark on 'his' foot. (the show was lame, and not a "Little House" by any stretch of the imagination.) but was that little boy ACTUALLY Kristy?!? (yes, 40 years later, i remember that particular scene).
when Buddy started to rebel and talk back to the mom on "Family", i was loving it! Kristy McNichol was so cool to me and my sister.....her brother was cool, too (coulda done without the underwear scenes in "The Fitzpatricks", though).
In said sis' teen mag, it was reported once that Leif walked up to her and just planted a kiss on Kristy, who pushed him away and slapped his face. Know why? Because she knew I was the man meant for her!. :) That's right, I said it! Friggin' Leif....(just kidding, RIP).
Does she know how loved she is? And it's not like we adore her because she's a bimbette with stupid electro-pop songs. Its because of her art. Her body of work. Her modesty. Her weaknesses, even. She's touched a lot of people...even "Empty Nest" was a good, and very funny show. She was lovely and perfect in "The Pirate Movie".
All the best to the wonderful and amazing Kristy McNichol - she's never, ever forgotten.
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Flexicon
11 years ago
Kristy's a legend. We just don't have anyone quite like her today. Too bad that. I love that woman.
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