by Nathaniel R
Happy 50th birthday today to the one and only Parker Posey. The 'Queen of Indies' of the 1990s isn't as celebrated these days and, frankly, we could use a lot more of her. So we're eager to read her hilariously titled memoir (pictured left) which was published this summer. Hollywood has always been a bit confused about her but we're relieved that she didn't just vanish after that first decade of fame (it girl status, indie or otherwise, is by its nature, transitory) but instead forged a patchwork kind of career mixing supporting roles in indies, tv movies, the occasional mainstream feature, and guest starring and recurring characters on TV. She's currently starring in Netflix's reboot of Lost in Space (where she plays the shady Dr Smith) and she's also recently completed filming a new indie called Elsewhere.
For her birthday we thought we'd share a list of her greatest performances. Posey is such a curiousity that we're sure everyone's top ten will vary immensely, so have at it in the comments!
Disclaimer: I should note that the three most acclaimed performances I haven't seen from her filmography are the indies Fay Grim (2006) and Broken English (2007) and the TV film for which she was Globe nominated Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay (2002).
Ready for the list? Let's go!
Honorable Mentions: hell, just about everything but wanted to specifically note the following: Rhonda in Adam and Steve (2006), Miami in Kicking and Screaming (1995), Debbie in Drunks (1995), Kitty Kowalski in Superman Returns (2006), and Sissy Knox in A Mighty Wind (2003)
TEN BEST OF PARKER POSEY
10 [tie] Lindsay Carlisle Shay in PARKS AND RECREATION (2011) and Liz on LOUIE (2012)
These two roles (as well as a brief role on Wil & Grace) make you wonder why EVERY sitcom and these ones in particular, aren't seeking her out on the regular for long guest arcs. She's a natural fit for the more sophisticated comedies and she needs no laugh track because comedy is one of her principle gifts.
09 JA,N in "EMMY SPEECH MASTER CLASS" (2012)
Still ❤️ this comic short. A must see for any awards junkie or actressexual. I wish JA,N could have her own series.
Suffer sisters, suffer!
08 Darla in DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993)
She first hit movie screens in 1993 (she was also in the cast of Coneheads and something called Joey Breaker that year) and this was her first "who is that?" role. Witness an early test drive of the screen persona the then 24 year-old actress would perfect by 1995 and keep deepening into the Aughts: an inimitable blend of caustic wit, deadpan emotion, forcefully odd or ambiguous line readings, and a mean streak that somehow encourages rather than prevents loveability (in this last regard I imagine the audience collectively to be that one frizzy haired girl in Mean Girls reacting to Regina George "One time she punched me in the face...It was awesome.")
07 Danica Talos in BLADE TRINITY (2003)
She's never afraid to go big; and when you're in a bad comic book movie, why not?
06 Jennifer Jolie in SCREAM 3 (2000)
With two hits in 2000, including this well-loved comic turn as an actress playing playing Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) in a movie about the Scream murders, Parker had something of a mainstream breakthrough after 5 years as 'Queen of the Indies' More mainstream roles would follow like The Sweetest Thing (2002), Josie & The Pussycats (2001) and a guest spot on Will & Grace (2001) though Hollywood proper, as opposed to indie filmmakers, was and has always remained confused about how to use her.
05 Mary in PARTY GIRL (1995)
04 Jackie O Pascal in THE HOUSE OF YES (1997)
The Definitive Parker Posey Double Feature if you're looking to time travel back to understand how her cult began. Between these two films (which we're currently polling you about) she defined her wholly original star persona and became an in-demand indie queen. Though you'll usually see Parker in supporting roles, she's front and center in both of these time-capsule oddities and her screen presence and wit are undeniable.
03 Greta Hershowitz in PERSONAL VELOCITY (2002)
My personal favorite among her more dramatic-leaning roles. She made the seemingly unfilmable profession of editing, sexy and intriguing.
02 Meg Swan in BEST IN SHOW (2000)
BUSY BEE!
