MovieChat Forums > Nights in Rodanthe (2008) Discussion > LOVE Diane Lane, but recent roles..not s...

LOVE Diane Lane, but recent roles..not so much..

posted 14 years ago by jeffreymkennedy
2 replies | jump to latest

I've thought for some time that Diane Lane is among the most beautiful (and underrated) actresses in the business and was completely blown away by her (Oscar worthy) performance in "Unfaithful". Just the scene of her on the train after her first go 'round with Olivier Martinez was, in my opinion, brilliant and reason enough to see this film. However, subsequent roles in films that I otherwise probably would'nt have seen had it not been for her have been formulaic and fluffy at best and bland and disappointing at worst..
"Must Love Dogs", "Under the Tuscan Sun", and "Nights in Rodanthe" were cookie cutter films and her character in each seemed to be the exact same woman. "Untraceable" seemed promising in the previews but the plot was a convoluted mess and even the pleasure of watching Lane herself was disappointing as she looked (unlike she normally looks), tired, plain and had that awful haircut.. I would LOVE to see her showcased in a production that would actually utilize her enormous talent as a dramatic actress (and preferably her natural beauty as well..).

[–] Janou 13 years ago

Totally agree about all of those films, in between these waste of Diane's talent films, there was Fierce People, although she didn't star in it, it was a very good (although disturbing) film. There've always been some clunkers in her list through the years, but also gems. I think it's a combination of directors, editors and or script. There may not be a lot of work for her now in Hollywood, Europe might be better for her. She's not old, but not young yet still beautiful, and natural to boot! She's talented enough to play a tragic has- been, but that would take a lot of makeup. Maybe it's just the roles she chooses, there's a market for the films you mentioned and perhaps after all these years she's coasting (even Robert DeNiro is doing that now).

[–] civilwarpa 13 years ago

I think films in general have just been pretty bad lately. I make a point of at least seeing every new movie that Diane Lane is in, even if the trailers and descriptions don't grab my attention. Must Love Dogs, I agree, is a cookie cutter rom-com, Under the Tuscan Sun has an unoriginal storyline and Nights in Rodanthe, I hate to admit, I found a little bit boring. But even with that, I think that Diane Lane's performances far outshine the films themselves, which also leads to a lot of people disliking the films.

I've been kind of in love with Secretariat though. She plays the role so fluidly that at times I forget that I'm watching an actor play a part, which in my opinion means that the actor really has talent. I hope she gets some recognition for that role, because she did a fabulous job.

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