Lukewarm Off the Presses: Woolf, Winona, and La Pfeiffer
Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 7:12PM Things we forgot to talk about but it's never too late.
Do You Love She Loves Me?
Did any of you manage to catch the Broadway livestream of She Loves Me June 30th? It was the first ever of its kind though I've heard no details on how well it performed (i.e. if we'll see more of them). They've extended the availability to rent it until July 10th on Broadway HD.
The Hours 2: The Return of Virginia Woof
Okay not really. Basically everybody committed suicide or got old in The Hours. But recently we got word that Virginia Woolf is coming back to the big screen in the adaptation of the play Vita & Virginia which is about Woolf's friendship and affair with another female writer. The most delightful part of this news may be that the play and its screenplay adaptation were both written by the actress Dame Eileen Atkins who was in The Hours (she worked in the flower shop in the Streep section). No word on casting but allow me to have a brief fantasy about Nicole Kidman reprising her Oscar-winning role before we hear who got the plum gig.
Winona is Back
Time Magazine recently published a solid interview with Winona Ryder on the eve of yet another comeback. This time via Stranger Things on Netflix. Of interest is a lengthy response when she's asked about the recent allegations against Johnny Depp. It's definitely the most levelheaded response we've read on any celebrity weighing in on the matter. But then we tend to like levelheaded responses and people who realize that they don't know what happened whatever their assumptions. That kind of response is almost impossible to find online from normal folks and it's also increasingly rare with celebrities.
But the best part of the interview was a question about the current nostalgia rage.
I get asked a lot, ‘What does it feel like to be a ’90s icon?’ And I’m like, ‘You think I sit around and think of myself like that?’ You can’t think about yourself in those ways, because who does that?
...I think because I started so young, I secretly wanted to be older all the time.
The interview is good but even better is that Stranger Things is getting really strong advanced buzz... especially for Winona herself who hasn't had anything work out that well for her showbiz-wise in aeons with the exception of that brief dark flash of Noni fever via her bit part in Oscar favorite Black Swan (2010).
Finally in confusing rumor alerts...
I don't normally share rumors (the internet is way too hung up on speculation when dialogue about things that actually exist is way more healthy/substantial) but I can't let this go without a mention. Remember the news that Jennifer Lawrence's Darren Aronofsky picture (working title Day 6) would co-star Javier Bardem, Domhnall Gleeson, and Michelle Pfeiffer? The story's logline is:
A couple whose relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.
Most of the speculation on the internet was that Michelle Pfeiffer was playing Jennifer Lawrence's mother which seemed like a leap in logic -- why would they be related given that logline? A new rumor recently sprung up that the film would be titled Mother. Pass the fainting salts could this mean Pfeiffer was the actual lead -- but no, then that rumor was debunked by Paramount. It's all very confusing and typical internet (shut up everyone!) but any news of a Pfeiffer movie actually making it into production without her bolting is thrilling. And we are apparently getting three of them in relatively short succession, which all sound way more promising than that misfire The Family (2013) which was her last time before cameras. Two are already filmed - HBO's Wizard of Lies, and the indie drama Beat-Up Little Seagull (both due later this year though specific dates aren't announced) and Day 6 the following year unless she bolts from the set mid-production.
Reader Comments (21)
Lets' just hope someone gives the luminous Michelle Pfeiffer a good role
A sci-fi/horror show set in the '80s is getting strong buzz? What are the odds?
As a child of the '90s, I've been delighted to see Winona's comeback. She was great in HBO's SHOW ME A HERO last year, so hopefully she'll get some Emmy love for that.
I've lost all faith in Aronofsky after Noah - fuck, it was dreadful!
Chastain for the Virgina Woolf role. I heart Winona Ryder. The praise she's receiving sounds like she's solid for Globe and SAG recognition via actual wins. Not trusting the TV Academy to award her but I believe she can secure a nomination with them. I wish Pfeiffer didn't have to play second fiddle to Lawrence (I hate you so much right now!).
Winona was pretty good in SHOW ME A HERO. Didn't she get a critics choice nomination for that?
I watched SHE LOVED ME and thought it was fabulous. The show was wonderful and it was so great to be able to see it and only have to pay $13. Of course, like all of these filmed shows, I wish it was an actual movie, but what can you do?
"She Loves Me" was very good - although I didn't understand all of Levi's performance choices. I heard that "SLM" got involved with this in part because it was always a limited engagement, so there wasn't much chance of it detracting from long term sales. With that in mind, I wonder if they could negotiate a way to do this for the "Encores" concerts? Although maybe that's too niche to succeed - staged readings of lesser known shows.
I remember when The Age of Innocence came out and I was 11. I remember looking at the poster and thinking "These are the most beautiful people i have ever seen in my life". When I saw the film, it confirmed it. 23 years later I feel that my opinion hasn't changed.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Jennifer Lawrence and Michelle Pfieffer onscreen in an Aronofsky picture together!...Day 6 can't come soon enough!.
Nicole for Virginia and Kate Winslet for Vita! I would see that movie many, many times. Or, we could have both actresses reprise their roles - Nicole for Virginia and Janet McTeer for Vita! I would also see that movie many, many times. I'm a bit excited about it :)
I hope more closing shows follow in She Loves Me's footsteps. Really wonderful musical and a top notch presentation of it, minus a couple glitches in the first few minutes of the livestream.
Laura Benanti needs to be in everything. Same with Jenna Maroney.
When they started the affair (or when they met, not sure) Virginia was 40 and Vita 30 so, Winslet is only right for the Virginia role and Kidman for none of them. Vikander for Vita? Or maybe Knightley? But yeah, Chastain for Virginia sounds cool.
If David O Russell was directing this Jennifer Lawrence would probably play Pfeiffer's mother.
I don't think I've ever watched an actress express the thoughts and feelings Kidman expresses in The Hours. Those moods that radiate from her voice, frame, eyes, ugh. And I've watched a lot of actresses. Ugh. That performance ages so well.
It's weird how Kidmaniacs often overlook that role, because there's such a wealth of un-Oscared work to savor and champion. It's like, I'll die on a hill defending Cold Mountain or Margot at the Wedding but somehow The Hours slips my mind when I think of her oeuvre. Maybe because it's a three-hander.
I champion her Hours victory despite much resistance to it elsewhere. It's also the role which has the best Oscar clip out of her three nominated performances. Sucks she seems stuck at that number. No reason in the world other than strange politics that Amy Adams and the devil Jennifer Lawrence are more widely recognized nomination wise than her.
She Loves Me was a treat. A wonderful confection. Loved it all : the sets, the songs, the stars. Laura Benanti & Jane Krakowski are truly wonderful. I had no idea Zachary Levi could sing...and sing well.
Jennifer Lawrence is probably going to get the Virginia Woolf role.
The notion that this no-talent hack is the best actress working right now is the biggest con ever pulled on the public.
Noni was indeed quite good in SHOW ME A HERO. Still rooting for her. Always.
Billy -- Zachary also did the voice of the male lead of TANGLED a few years back.
I watched She Loves Me and I adored it. It's such a sweet show. Old fashioned yes, but very enjoyable. I hope more Broadway shows follow.
Cal -- Jennifer Lawrence is the best actress of her generation and in the opinion of many, the best working today. To call a 25 years old with 1 Oscar and 4 nominations (the most ever) a no-talent hack is pure stupidity... Lawrence could play ANY role and I can't wait to see her work with Aronofsky, Pfeiffer, Bardem, Harris.