I was completely blown away by every single performance when I first saw COME BACK TO THE FIVE & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN on TCM maybe 15 years ago. I've since realized so much of what I was drawn to was the retained theatricality of the play in terms of Altman's direction and Graczyk's screenplay. Dennis, Black, Bates, and Cher were all at such interesting and varied points in their careers. Sandy and Karen had been notable film personalities for many years while Cher was undertaking her first dramatic role and Kathy had been a respected theater actress. Dennis' particular ticks and tricks work splendidly and Black is as intense and brilliant as ever. I adore this film and can't wait for the BLU-RAY release.
"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!"
-Evie Harris
I feel as though I've spent a good part of my life defending this film when it comes up in conversation only to find fairly recently, that attitudes toward it seem to have shifted to the positive. I'm not sure why exactly, but for a very long time this was a film that nobody except me (that I knew, at least) liked in any way.
Also, I just have to add that I think Sandy Dennis gave her finest film performance in this. It showcases what made her a true original, the likes of which I can pretty much guarantee we will never see again.
I still think the play is dreck, but this is probably my favorite of Altman's 80's movies. A lot of people think its boring, but what performances! Maybe the best looking film ever shot on Super 16 cameras. And Cher has one of her original noses!
The killer for me was what Altman did with the closing credits. SO haunting.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Sadly, folks do tend to rank it lower on the scale of Altman's film. From reading about and discussing this film with several people I think what repels them is what draws me. This is one of the first films I saw with a single basic set and one of the first that had a transgender character with a compelling storyline. I had never seen the subject of rape treated in such a way. Long monologues aren't everyone's cup of tea but when you have players and filmmakers working at this level I feel it works brilliantly.
I couldn't agree more about Dennis - she has long been one of my favorites since seeing VIRGINIA WOOLF on TV in middle school and THE OUT OF TOWNERS a few weeks later on the same channel. Her story in particular was so incredibly delivered I felt like I was in the room. It was so natural and neurotic at the same time. Upon seeing the film many years later and bringing a bit of knowledge and maturity, I was struck with the notion that watching Dennis in this part must have been similar to those who saw Laurette Taylor in THE GLASS MENAGERIE. It was said you almost felt some woman had wandered in off the street when Laurette played Amanda and I feel Dennis had such a air of realism that she had perhaps never before achieved. I couldn't say if it was the combo of fellow performers or the filmmakers but this is my fave Sandy Dennis next to Honey.
Now I really want to pull out the VHS and give it a good rewatch and rethink but I can wait until the BLU-RAY release.
"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!"
-Evie Harris
Saw the Brodayway production which I loved. Many years ago I transferred my video of the movie onto DVD now looking forward to having a great quality copy.
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
SO many great choices from the actors in this. How did Altman do it? Was Karen Black ever better?
Altman had mentioned that the play was broader and funnier on Broadway, but he toned it down for the movie. Can anyone who saw both do a comparison. It was only thirty two years ago and all, but...
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
That's what I meant by the ending credits. Gets me every time.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Right Borstalboy. There is something very chilling about it. It's almost saying everything we'd watched, everything that happened in these people lives is without meaning because life is so transitory. 20 years later no one remembers the disciples, and has either died or simply moved on.
There's a point in the play where someone had attempted to turn the water on and nothing came out. "It's finally happened" she says. I always find that line chilling too.