Marvin's Room..

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:20pm

So last night I watched the movie MARVIN'S ROOM. Obviously for Gwen Verdon.

And I was surprised - it was quite a touching film. It also had quite a list of well respected actors/actresses.

The amazing part for me was that Verdon was still an amazing comedienne even 4 years before her death. She still had it at that age. She proved she still had her technique for physical comedy. Also I find it interesting she got most of her movie roles after her prime. The movies were cruel to her while she was in her prime.

Streep and Keaton were quite wonderful too.

Anybody else see this movie? Like it? Didnt?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:36pm

Liked the film and there are some very good performances in it, but the play wasn't as sentimentalized as the movie, and was even more effective for it. The moment when the pills go flying was particularly devastating on stage.

Also, if you really want additional perspective on Marvin's Room, read up on its playwright, the late Scott McPherson. The conditions under which he wrote the play add a whole other subtext to the experience.

Updated On: 7/9/07 at 02:36 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:41pm

Random: When this movie first came out, I hung the poster outside my bedroom door.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:41pm

Like the film alot, the acting is terrif...Verdon shouldve had an oscar nom, imo...and DeNiro and Dan Hedaya were terrific....not to mention, DeCaprio, Streep and Keaton at her best.

...just did an imdb search, and Kelly Ripa was in it?!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:43pm

I really want to read the play.

Smaxie - did you see it Off-Broadway? How did they stage the Disney scenes?

Did the movie follow the play well?

Doodle. It would've been AMAZING if the Oscars recognized Verdon. Oh and Kelly Rippa is seen on Ruth's TV on a Soap Opera. Updated On: 7/9/07 at 02:43 PM

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:44pm

I saw it at the movie theatre and I liked it a lot. I remember the ad campaign had a quote that said, "Oscars All Around!". I thought Leo was very good as was the rest of the cast, especially Diane Keaton.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:50pm

Yeah, Verdon was fantastic! She stole the movie for me. I was surprised Keaton's was the sole nomination. At least Verdon and the rest of the cast was recognized by the SAGs.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:53pm

phshew! Ripa was playing her Soap character...that 'splains it!

Verdon using her hip to work the garage door...fantastic!

Laura Esterman was supposed to be amazing in the original cast.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:56pm

Oh wow. I didn't see that about the SAGs. Great to see they gave Verdon a nomination. As well as the ensemble of actors.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:58pm

The scene which is set at Disney World in the movie was as I recall a nameless amusement park in the play. A costumed character of some sort came in when Bessie collapses, but it wasn't a Disney character.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:59pm

"Laura Esterman was supposed to be amazing in the original cast."

Speaking of which...

I remember that she was the toast of off-Broadway. She was teaching acting at HB then she sort of fell off the face of the Earth. What has she done since then?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:10pm

some tv and films according to imdb.

[vbplayer]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 6:40pm

Great film...it has many moments. Diane Keaton with the mirror and Streep watching at the doorway. Wonderful moment.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 6:53pm

I saw the play several times in Los Angeles, because I had a friend in it. It was such an incredible production, starring Mary Steenburgen and Jean Smart. Everyone in Hollywood showed up to see it, and I mean EVERYONE. At that point it was already rumored to be going before the cameras, and all the heavy-hitting actresses were sniffing around to see if parts might suit them. It played out here at the Tiffany on Sunset, which is pretty small. A perfect venue for the story.

And Mary and Jean were fantastic. Incredible acting. FAR better than Diane and Meryl in the movie, and I mean it wasn't even close. I was actually kinda horrified when I first saw the film version and watched Meryl actually doing an imitation of what Jean Smart had done on stage. She actually mimicked quite a few things... I guess I thought La Streep was beyond that. But no.

I remember the younger brother in the show was the (Tony-nominated) kid from Falsettos.