Has anyone seen Gwen Verdon in "Marvin's Room"?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 3:41pm

I saw the movie on HBO a week ago and didn't recognize her until I checked the cast on IMDB.com. It's back on again and I can't get over how hysterical that woman is. I haven't seen her in many movies but she play's Aunt Ruth so amazingly. The woman has most of the funny lines in this movie. Overall, it's really a touching story...some parts are quite odd. I just love Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep and, the first time I watched it, I couldn't get over this quirky old woman who played Aunt Ruth and had no idea who it was. It just shows you that true talent never fades no matter how old you get.

Verdon is truly a wonder. I only wish I was privileged enough to have seen her perform live.

[Footlooser]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 3:49pm

It is such a good script and YES! Ruth is the best role. I was pleasntly surpsied that DiCaprio didn't make the movie unbareable. I would love to see it live.

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 3:57pm

What a great cast this has! And a beautiful score too. I really enjoyed Gwen Verdon a lot in this also.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 3:58pm

This movie was incredible. Diane Keaton deserved the Oscar for her performance. Gwen Verdon was fabulous in the film as well.

[vbplayer]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:02pm

I met Gwen (and Chita) at the stage door in Chicago after seeing them in "Chicago" (many years ago). Both were sweethearts and obliged with autographs. I still have the signed Playbill in a frame. I am still kicking myself, because Jerry Orbach was standing right next to them with Mary McCarty(sp?). I didn't realize who they were at the time and never asked them for their autographs. I am embarassed to this day for dissing them.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:52pm

Diane Keaton deserved the Oscar for her performance.

1996 was a very competitive year for Actresses, and I think it was one of those years where being able to get nominated was an award in itself.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:52pm

she's funny in this.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 5:07pm

Diane was nominated. Frances McDormand (FARGO) won. I would've given it to either Ms. Keaton or Emily Watson (BREAKING THE WAVES).

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 5:15pm

I know. I think Diane was content with her nomination considering she almost didn't even get the part until Meryl Streep told Harvey Weinstein that she wouldn't do it without Keaton. Then Streep got a Golden Globe nod while Keaton was left out until she got the SAG award nod.

I would have given it to Emma Watson for Breaking the Waves too, but I wouldn't have minded if it was given to Brenda Blethyn for Secrets and Lies and didn't mind that McDormand got it.

[LucyThropp]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 7:16pm

I've only seen it when it was in the movie theater, but I remember loving it. And Gwen Verdon was so funny - I remember laughing so much! I keep seeing it on tv lately, so I'd like to catch it again.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/16/05 at 12:27am

"I was pleasntly surpsied that DiCaprio didn't make the movie unbareable."

Why? DiCaprio is and always has been an exceptional actor. One overexposed film does not diminish his talent. Judge him on his work, not his high profile.

I love this film.

[magruder]

Posted: 4/16/05 at 12:59am

Liked the film, loved the play. It's especially poignant given the story of the playwright Scott McPherson who wrote Marvin's Room. Although the play and film are about two sisters, one dying of leukemia while she cares for her aging father and aunt, the material is about McPherson coping with AIDS himself while taking care of his lover who was succumbing to the disease. The film is much more sentimental than the show, although it is effective in its own way.

Updated On: 4/16/05 at 12:59 AM

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/16/05 at 12:24pm

I saw her live many times and she was also a lovely lady in person. In "her day" she was considered "the hottest babe" in town. Hal Linden told me personally and Neil Simon has written that "everyone wanted to sleep with Gwen Verdon."
You can also see delightful Verdon performances in the COCOON films. She also appeared on the tv series FAME as Montgomery's mother (she was playing a famous dancer and on one episode she and Debbie Allen did kind of a challenge dance titled some like CLASS vs. SASS.)
People in the arts often have talent in multiple areas. So many great dancers are also great actors or great actors are indeed often great painters, many entertainers are also fabulous authors, even many famous actors are well known for their culinary arts (Danny Kaye used to go into restaurant kitchens and cook up storms when he was around.) It is not very surprising Verdon developed into a fine actress.
HOWEVER, for now and for the foreseeable future..........she is still the greatest triple threat dancer, singer, actress Broadway has ever known, at least according to many, and particularly to Chita Rivera. Chita Rivera has said "there are only a small handful of us who have succeeded as dancers and singers and actresses and out of that handful of us-- Gwen Verdon stands alone." FOAnatic, thanks for the post and rekindling some lovely memories. :)

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 7:31am

Sorry...this is just my ten millionth attempt to post a photo on a thread.... Updated On: 4/17/05 at 07:31 AM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 9:03am

I love this movie also and it happens to be one of maybe two movies that I can stand DiCaprio in - Verdon made the film for me - her role may be small, but she defines the character so well and gives her such humor, warmth, and strength...I loved her.
I just don't get the appeal of DiCaprio - just from the previews alone, I swore I wouldn't see The Aviator - DiCaprio looks nothing like Howard Hughes nor does he sound like him - and he looks like an alien - his head is twice the size of his body and he will never look older than about 14 to me...ahh well.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 9:09am

I've always thought DiCaprio was a very capable actor, but he was in over his head with THE AVIATOR. The movie was really lousy and overrated. DiCaprio was very weak as Hughes.

However, he was great in MARVIN'S ROOM, as well as WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?, TITANIC (even though I loathe the movie), CELEBRITY, GANGS OF NEW YORK, etc.

I hated CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 11:16am

Yes - I liked his performance in Gilbert Grape and Marvin's Room - but that's about it. I couldn't get past the terrible script for Titanic to be able to enjoy a single performance in that dreadful film. and I always feel like I'm the only person who disliked it...

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 11:18am

Melissa Fan, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, did nothing for me either. I was so very disappointed.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/17/05 at 12:59pm

Does anyone get the impression IWISHIHADATONY is trying to be the next Margo Channing?

KC

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:07am

Ahem....

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:44pm

It's in IFC right now.

Still love this movie...and Verdon, Keaton, Streep, DiCaprio and DeNiro.

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:52pm

I had no idea that was her when I saw the movie in middle school! I want to go back and re watch it now!

[misschung]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:55pm

Leo was fantastic in Marvin's Room. This is probably his most underrated performance

[jv92]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 4:09pm

I find it sad to get through the film since it is so very sad, but Gwen is wonderful, as is the rest of the cast.

[jv92]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 4:09pm

I find it hard to get through the film since it is so very sad, but Gwen is wonderful, as is the rest of the cast.
Updated On: 10/19/07 at 04:09 PM