Monday, August 25, 2014

Frances 1982


Frances


     This film is based on a true story.  Frances Farmer could not help being a rebel.  She became an actress between the 1930’s-1940’s and she turned her back on what the studio wanted her to do.  She didn’t want to participate in publicity stunts and she wants to have a say in her roles.  She marries because the studio said not to and that doesn’t work out.  She leaves Hollywood for Broadway and she feels this is where she belongs until she learns they want to exploit her popularity with fans to bring in customers.  She tries to restart her movie career but the studio would like to punish her for turning her back on them.  She becomes dependent on alcohol, drugs and buckles under the pressure of her mother to resume her career.  She is placed in a mental hospital and everything starts to go downhill.
     It is surprising how much Frances endured in her life and most of it is because of her mother.  Wasn’t her mother supposed to love her daughter and take care of her instead of trying to live vicariously through her success?   A lot of tough scenes!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

140 min, Drama directed by Graeme Clifford with Jessica Lange, Kim Stanley, Sam Shepard, Bart Burns, Jonathan Banks, Bonnie Bartlett, Jordan Charney, Donald Craig.

Note:  Imdb 7.4 out of 10, 93% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.






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