How does Scott Rudin fit into this thread?
Don’t like the idea Kidman. Her voice grates on me when singing. Also while it’s obviously a different kind of role, I was pretty unimpressed with her last year in The Prom.
People will debate Normas until the end of days and I totally love and respect that everyone has a favorite. I do feel that Glenn has had the most success with the role and I love her cast recording. It’s like a radio play. I had it memorized long before I saw the show.
I will say it was very interesting and I believe a very rare thing to be able to see an actress revisit a role she already played to great acclaim. Her 90s Norma was far campier, kabuki at times and yet no less effective. She was stunning and heartbreaking.
Her 2000s Norma was infused with more compassion I believe, as Glenn had more experience with the “overlooked” dimensions of Norma’s professional life. It was more understated and nuanced. The end was more of a true nervous breakdown and less of a cinematic performance in Normas mind.
I thought both performances were great. I think some people did laugh at points in both performances often out of discomfort. I think some people don’t know what to do with pathos so they shriek or laugh. It’s a defense mechanism. Also some people might find the antics bizarre and not be as psychologically minded so they chuckle. There are people who chuckle at seeing mental illness. Sad, but it happens.
People can shred Glenn’s performance and her voice but after she passes, folks may realize they witnessed one of the greatest actresses of stage and screen in a master work. To see an actress shed vanity and primally inhabit a character twice is a rare thing. She gave 110% at every show and that is what audiences responded too. I saw both incarnations many times and the audiences went wild for her because she truly showed up to every show. She was trained to give everything. Another rare thing. The voice might not have always been pristine but the emotion was. That is what audiences connect with. I think that is why she needs to do the film.
To me, anyone else would be a walk through.
Patti would definitely be much better in the film
unclevictor said: "How does Scott Rudin fit into this thread?"
he threw a potato at Glen Close once
Impeach2017 said: "unclevictor said: "How does Scott Rudin fit into this thread?"
he threw a potato at Glen Close once"
Random anecdote for what it's worth, Alice Ripley was asked on a podcast in about 2010 her opinion of all the Normas as she was with them all on Broadway. She only had positive things to say about everyone, although her first comment was that Betty Buckley "was" Norma Desmond. She also apparently was the only person not on stage for the Tony performance but as consolation was offered to sit next to Andrew Lloyd Webber during the Tonys. She declined and preferred to stay at home and watch from TV.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
The first time i had seen Sunset Boulevard was in London, Betty Buckley was Norma and John Barrowman played Joe Gillis. A very memorable show performance!
binau said: "Random anecdote for what it's worth, Alice Ripley was asked on a podcast in about 2010 her opinion of all the Normas as she was with them all on Broadway. She only had positive things to say about everyone, although her first comment was that Betty Buckley "was" Norma Desmond. She also apparently was the only person not on stage for the Tony performance but as consolation was offered to sit next to Andrew Lloyd Webber during the Tonys. She declined and preferred to stay at home and watch from TV."
Aside from Glenn Close, no one in the principal cast was on stage with Glenn for the Tony Awards performance as they performed “As If We Never Said Goodbye” - a sequence in the show where none of them appears in. Max only appears during the drive into the Paramount Studios gates then is gone once she enters the soundstage where this number occurs.
Another update... Another movie.
https://deadline.com/2021/06/glenn-close-josh-brolin-peter-dinklage-legendarys-brothers-1234768902/
PERSON: Glenn, weren’t you doing the film version of SUNSET BLVD?
GLENN: Oh, s**t. That’s right. Totally forgot about that. Thank you.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/20
As much as I love Nicole Kidman I don't think the heightened emotion of a musical is the best place for her. Early buzz on her upcoming film The Northman says she walks away with the film. Compare that to something like The Prom. It's been out for seven months and I don't think I've heard anyone talk about her performance.
Ke3 said: "As much as I love Nicole Kidman I don't think the heightened emotion of a musical is the best place for her. Early buzz on her upcoming film The Northman says she walks away with the film. Compare that to something like The Prom. It's been out for seven months and I don't think I've heard anyone talk about her performance."
Nicole plays a secondary character in an ensemble film. Same reason no one is raving about Andrew Rannell’s performance either. It’s was Streep and Corden who carried the film and the ones who were singled out.
Kidman’s voice is quite pretty but has no power or urgency. She destroyed the shattering Unusual Waywith her dirge-like delivery. Keep her away from Sunset Boulevard.
Kidman’s voice is quite pretty but has no power or urgency. She destroyed the shattering Unusual Waywith her dirge-like delivery. Keep her away from Sunset Boulevard.
BrodyFosse123 said: "PERSON: Glenn, weren’t you doing the film version of SUNSET BLVD?
GLENN: Oh, s**t. That’s right. Totally forgot about that. Thank you."
LOL!!!
binau said: "Random anecdote for what it's worth, Alice Ripley was asked on a podcast in about 2010 her opinion of all the Normas as she was with them all on Broadway. She only had positive things to say about everyone, although her first comment was that Betty Buckley "was" Norma Desmond. She also apparently was the only person not on stage for the Tony performance but as consolation was offered to sit next to Andrew Lloyd Webber during the Tonys. She declined and preferred to stay at home and watch from TV."
In this as in most things, I'm with Alice.
I’ve seen just about all the “name” Normas and there was no one like Buckley. Absolutely spectacular.
Glenn was campy and fun. And funny. But I was always conscious I was watching Glenn Close (though this was less true for the Palace engagement.
The less said about Patti, the better. Ugh.
I’ve seen just about all the “name” Normas and there was no one like Buckley. Absolutely spectacular.
Glenn was campy and fun. And funny. But I was always conscious I was watching Glenn Close (though this was less true for the Palace engagement.
The less said about Patti, the better. Ugh.
...another Glenn Close update:
https://deadline.com/2021/06/glenn-close-star-tehran-season-2-apple-series-1234779083/
MichelleCraig said: "...another Glenn Close update:
https://deadline.com/2021/06/glenn-close-star-tehran-season-2-apple-series-1234779083/
"
So great she’s booking projects like crazy. I guess we can expect her SUNSET BLVD when she’s 84? They can use the body of a 50 year old and CGI her head on it and sweeten her voice digitally so she sounds younger as well. I’m sure this’ll inspire Streisand to revisit her abandoned GYPSY at 86.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/27/15
I've resigned myself to the fact that if this film version ever does happen it will be Glenn Close but I still stand by my original statement that nobody can compare to Elaine Paige's performance. Check out this documentary "Faces of Elaine Paige" and see if you don't agree ... Take special note of ALW's comments at 1:08:00. The video description is as follows .... "This excellent 90 minute documentary from 1996 focuses on three of the strong characters Elaine played on stage, Eva Peron, Edith Piaf and Norma Desmond. Elaine visits the places where the characters were set, Argentina, Paris and Los Angeles discovering a fascinating insight into their worlds. We also trace Elaine Paige's stage career from the beginning up to the present date (1996). Filled with archive clips, interviews and specially filmed sequences from the musical Sunset Boulevard."
This doc on Elaine Paige is fantastic. I recorded it on vhs when it first aired way back when.
You phunny. That profile is 25 years old AND Paige is now 74 years old! You guys think everyone is ageless and assume she’s as agile and vocally youthful as she was in 1996 when she was 48. Heck, let’s throw Betty White in there also as she’s still breathing. Heck, she looked great on THE GOLDEN GIRLS and sko what that it was almost 40 years ago. She still has to be just a fit and agile today. Both Streisand and Minnelli have lost their trademark voices yet people assume their voices are intact and are still as great as they were 50-60 years ago.
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