Ellen Burstyn's Acting Rant- Page 2

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 2:07pm

Yeah!
(making his own mediocre contribution)

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 4:18pm

I have to agree with her, on the whole. The "acting bar" has been lowered for the exact reasons she states. I have seen some "greatness" on Broadway in the past decade, but it's not like it was 20 years ago, let alone back in the Golden Age.

You have to sit through a lot of mediocre stuff to find that one performance or one show that reminds you of what it can and should be like all the time. It's kind of startling when it happens, and then you think, "Wow, what the hell was I clapping enthusiastically at all those years? Look at THIS!"

[CFK]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 4:26pm

So can a performance in a mediocre piece not be considered great?

I can think of several examples that prove the contrary.

I wish she would have elaborated.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:10pm

She's talking about acting here... not writing, directing or anything else.

I think her comments are clear.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:48pm

"Ms. Burstyn is a great actress. Requiem For A Dream alone proves that."

One of the finest acting performances I have ever seen.

Another one-F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus.

[CFK]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:50pm

I know it was clear; I just wish she would have elaborated. I'm intrigued to hear more of her thoughts on it.

Don't patronize me like I'm a five year old.
Updated On: 11/20/06 at 05:50 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 7:15pm

On TV, the suits go for the lowest common denominator.

Both MASH & All In The Family would not succeed today because neither one was an instant hit but CBS stuck with both & it paid off.

In the 50's you had live TV starring unknowns who would lake become superstars. TV reached it high point with the Twilight Zone.

Twilight Zone today would not make it either. The fact that there is no current equivilant of Serling also enters into it

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 10:06pm

I'd love to know what she saw, that she disliked so much.

[zoran912]

Posted: 11/21/06 at 12:47am

Did anyone see that god-awful rehash of The Twilight Zone?

They tried to bring it back....no. Just no.

Ok - back to topic at hand:

I think Ms. Burstyn brings up some true points. I wish I had been around to experience the golden age of broadway. I think today's version of broadway is quite sad. I have seen much more impressive work in small off-broadway houses, some not even in NYC.

I don't think many shows actually deserve their standing ovations.
Updated On: 11/21/06 at 12:47 AM