SMG's acting is so underrated

http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/can-we-talk-about-sarah-m ichelle-gellar-for-a-minute/

I know I'm considered a "fanboy" of Sarah Michelle Gellar and my opinion is automatically eliminated when it comes to the judging her work, but does no one else see the talent, beauty, and heart she puts into her work besides me? I know she's generally loved for her work in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and for Cruel Intentions, but outside that I feel like no one gives her the time of day. Now before everyone jumps to throw the Scooby-Doo/Simply Irresistible/The Grudge 2 *beep* in my face, we all need to remember that everyone has career lows.

- I Know What You Did Last Summer's character she had wasn't very original or developed until Ryan Phillipe's death, but her character arc for the rest of the film is powerhouse. People need to remember her chase scene is up there on the list of greatest horror film chase scenes as well.

- Say what you want about Harvard Man, but there's no denying that Gellar owned and embodied that role inside and out. The best thing about the movie, we can still identify a great difference between Kathryn from Cruel Intentions and her character here, Cindy.

- The Return is a personal favorite of mine, I think the film is an exceptionally crafted dramatic thriller that works off the strength of Gellar's performance. It's very downplayed, but Gellar makes Joanna strangely my favorite character of her filmography. She makes the film just as terrific as she is in her role.

- Even the people who thought Southland Tales was insufferable and ridiculous must have found entertainment in Gellar's work as Krysta Now. Gellar is actually riotous as Krysta. To some extent the character is a stereotype, but at the end of the day Gellar shows us Krysta as just a girl who's in love with a guy who she can't have.

- I wish more people would've seen Suburban Girl, it should've been released, it would've done at least decently. Gellar's natural and delightful in the role, and has the quirky charm that makes the story accessible and fun to watch.

- Some of Gellar's best work is in another personal favorite of mine, The Air I Breathe. I love the movie; I love the diverse story telling techniques and narrative approaches. Gellar's Sorrow elevated the film and is the audience's portal into the movie. Gellar bounces the strength and emotional intensity in every scene off the words on the page. A challenging role to play and Gellar delivers it with an emotional punch.

- I *wish* Veronika Decides to Die would've been released, I think maybe then people would've garnered a little more respect for her and she may have gotten some recognition she's deserved for a while.Gellar gives a tour-de-froce performance that has a sterling emotional quality not found in most darkness-centered, unlikeable characters. it's one of my favorite performances, movies, and books of all-time. Such a beautiful tale and portrait.

- One of the biggest disappointments to me is that Ringer wasn't more of a hit in the second half of its debut season. It was an enthralling, show that had the same fun twists as a Soap Opera, but contained the class and quality Soaps don't have. Gellar got more comfortable with each episode and was able to define both characters with all their flaws and humanity. She nailed the final episode with her confession monologue, very overlooked work on her part.

- Like I stated above, she does get some recognition for Cruel Intentions. I know its is just a teeny drama and Glenn Close fans will be against her from before her first scene, but she fit that role like it was specially tailored for her. Gellar's irresistible charm and manipulative dark side are combined in a remembered character and a staggering performance.

- She gets ALOT of praise for Buffy, but I still think she's underrated, as is the show. Her work is the definition of a three-dimensional performance. I think there's about two moments if that the entire series that may slightly feel false from Gellar and that's it. She's phenomenal in every scene, but season 6 is her crowning achievement. When I watch Dead Things, Normal Again, Grave I just don't understand what more she could've done to get an Emmy trophy? Darkness, resentment, and depression was tackled by Gellar in a riveting way. Season 2 and Season 5 are pretty unarguable too in terms of her acting: Becoming, Innocence, The Body, The Gift...I mean....really...nothing? Season 7 and Season 4 (Gellar is a better Faith than Eliza Dushku in Who Are You?, to be fair, she did garner a Golden Globe nomination for this season) were also fantastic character work. She's really great in season three and one, too. No one can compete with Gellar's strength, power, sadness, magnitude, or humor in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Gellar's incredibly underestimated and underrated by film buffs and has proven she should be taken seriously. I really hope she is able to reconnect the lost power she once had with the public with The Crazy Ones this fall. I'd love for Gellar to return to films; I'm in full support of her continuing her journey of testing out independent dramas that interest her, but she needs to reestablish herself in something big (I was hoping for The Avengers 2). Gellar's first big gig was playing Susan Lucci's daughter on All My Children, I've seen most of her tapes where she was excellent, especially for Soap acting.

Gellar has a fine career to put on paper, including having a small featured role in my favorite horror series of all-time, Scream 2. I find it annoying people were calling her desperate with her approval for a Buffy movie reported last week. She has done a lot since Buffy and should be really proud of everything I spoke of. Finally she's back to her normal look post-pregnancies, she's a stunning beauty as well as her many creative gifts. I have extreme admiration for her family values she's made clear this past year, as well. I hope The Crazy Ones puts her back out there, at least a little.

Feel the Films: A Blog by R.C.S. -> http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/