Released
March 1981
Starring
Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange (as Cora), John Colicos, Michael
Lerner, Christopher Lloyd, Anjelica Huston
Directed by Bob Rafelson
123 min.
Box
office gross 12.2 million
See
complete credits at Internet
Movie Database
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James
M. Cain’s steamy novel was first filmed in the United States in 1947
and starred Lana Turner and John Garfield. That version, although
an acclaimed one, was severely hampered by the infamous Hays Code.
Director Bob Rafelson and screenwriter David Mamet was determined
to remake the classic with the underlying themes of sex, lust and
adultery intact. The end result was a beautifully photographed (by
Sven Nykvist) and subtle period piece that effectively captured the
tone of Cain’s novel. The film suffered, however, from a meandering
script and a totally unnecessary sequence involving a dalliance that
Nicholson’s character has with a lion tamer played by Anjelcia Huston.
Most critics dismissed the film and could talk of nothing but the
sex scenes, especially the infamous first one, on a flour covered
kitchen table.
The
film did have one positive aspect - it resurrected Jessica Lange’s
fleeting acting career. In fact, with this single performance, Lange
went from a former has-been to an A-list actress and a serious one
at that. Her portrayal of Cora Papadakis was intense, sensual, multi-layered
and powerful. She was suddenly an actress who had the power to choose
her next project - and it would be one that would seal her reputation
as a serious actress - Frances, the life story of Frances Farmer.
Critical
Sampling:
"With
this performance, Lange has passed from the status of minor curiosity
as the heroine of Dino De Laurentis' King Kong to that of respected
actress and, maybe, star" - Richard Corliss, Time
"Jessica
Lange is the best reason to see the movie - she is good-sized - muscular
but rounded - and with her short, curly blonde hair, a Japanese silk
wrapper pulled tight and a lewd, spectacular smile, she's both separhic
and steamy." - Pauline Kael, The
New Yorker
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Frances
