MovieChat Forums > Sophie's Choice (1983) Discussion > Rena Owens is more powerful in ONCE WERE...

Rena Owens is more powerful in ONCE WERE WARRIORS...

posted 10 years ago by I_Love_Hutch
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I love Meryl Streep's performance in SOPHIE'S CHOICE, and I'm not taking anything away from her. But I just saw the New Zealand film ONCE WERE WARRIORS (1994) for the third time and Rena Owens gives a performance that words can barely do justice to. In particular, there is a devastating scene involving mother/child that almost makes Meryl look like she's play-acting during her infamous "choice" scene at the end. I'm not being a troll. Meryl is great. But Rena Owens makes you feel like you're right there with her and her performance is electrifying. The chill ran down my spine for a continuous 45 seconds without letup. I don't think as many people have seen it as it deserves, but what an amazing powerful experience.

Anybody seen ONCE WERE WARRIORS?

[–] rondine 8 years ago

I've seen both movies and I know what you mean about the entire film, OWW because it's as gritty and real as anything I've ever watched.

That said, what possessed you to make this comparison? It's not like they were competing against each other for the Oscar that year. These are 2 different roles, actresses and both have tremendous value.

Comparisons are really generally meaningless. ;)

[–] I_Love_Hutch 8 years ago

I think I had just got done watching OWW and I was still kind of under its spell and I was just blown away by Rena Owens, and Meryl's performance in SC is sometimes regarded as the benchmark and I was just really more impressed with Owens, and I felt compelled to say so.

[–] rascal67 8 years ago

I think Mr. H, that it is all about the acting technique and as talented as Streep is, she just isn't as real, raw, powerful and in the moment as many other actresses that don't get the same acclaim. Streep can be self-conscious—not in all roles—as an actress.

Look at Nancy Parsons performance in Motel Hell. She can suddenly turn Ida's phony sweetness and kindness, into a stern, serious and scary persona, and during whatever state of being she is in, you can sense the layers of the other personalities bubbling underneath and all done with a wicked, dark and devious sense of humor. Parsons would have been great as Annie Wilkes in MISERY. There is no pretense to impress, no headspace, only a "real" space and something Steep rarely masters. Owens was in this "real" space too.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩

[–] I_Love_Hutch 8 years ago

Parsons would have been great as Annie Wilkes in MISERY.
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Oh, yes! What a blast that would have been. And though I really do like Kathy Bates in it, it's the kind of part that Nancy Parsons would have been dropdead amazing in. Too bad her name probably was never even mentioned once. Wow.

Yes, Nancy has scary and funny down in perfect sublime measure. Because she makes me laugh so hard and smile so much, sometimes I forget that when she wanted to, she could also be deeply frightening. I would think a Meryl Streep would be secretly very envious of this kind of rare gift.

[–] rascal67 8 years ago

...I really do like Kathy Bates in it, it's the kind of part that Nancy Parsons would have been dropdead amazing in. Too bad her name probably was never even mentioned once...Nancy has scary and funny down in perfect sublime measure...sometimes I forget that when she wanted to, she could also be deeply frightening.
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It's a pity, because while I am not overly fond of MISERY as a film and I do think Bates is very good, she does fall short in some aspects of her performance. Parson's appeared to do the layered\nuanced mood thing perfectly, while Bates doesn't appear that convincing at times in Misery. I think Bates just got better as she progressed throughout the 90's and on. Even Susan Tyrell would have been great as Annie Wilkes.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩