This is among a very few movies I have watched (that I didn't originally see in a theater) without reading reviews, comments or background in advance. So, in watching "The Actress," my sense that this would make a good stage play was validated when I learned the film was based on a stage play. Ruth Gordon who became a successful stage and movie actress, playwright and author, wrote the screenplay for this film based on her own stage play, "Years Ago." It's an autobiographic work that pays as much tribute to her parents as it does a young woman's ambition to become a star.
The movie sets mostly resemble stage sets, to be sure, but they don't have a "stagy" feel. Perhaps the occasional outdoor scene and shots help with that. I agree with the reviewers who see it as much more a drama than a comedy. It has some light-hearted bits and a few clever lines. But for the most part, this is a snapshot of a time in the life of a high school senior in the early 20th century who longs for a stage career. We must remember that this was 1913, and although silent films had been around for some time, the allure of becoming a movie star was not something that most young people were drawn to until the 1950s. Before then, it was the stage. In the scene when Ruth (played by Jean Simmons) gives her folks a couple of samples of her abilities, she stops and moves to the lower landing of the stairs, so she could appear more to them as being on stage.
These type of stories made good plots for stage and early movies. Today, they are very uncommon, and not as much of interest. That is, unless they have a particular something extra to jazz them up a bit. But, a film like this gives we viewers the chance to see how truly great acting appears. We don't get much opportunity in the fast-paced films of today. Although the story may be more than mildly interesting for some, it is the acting that makes this movie a winner. It doesn't have a large cast (a la stage play, again), but its four leads are all stellar actors. Simmons is excellent as Ruth, showing a full range of emotions. Spencer Tracy as Clinton Jones is excellent. I agree with another reviewer who said it is one of his best roles. Teresa Wright plays Ruth's mother, Annie, superbly. And, in his first screen role, Anthony Perkins is very good as Ruth's beau, Fred Whitmarsh.
This is a fine biopic and story that some may find somewhat familiar and nostalgic. But, many in modern audiences may find it difficult to sit still long enough to enjoy this film.
The movie sets mostly resemble stage sets, to be sure, but they don't have a "stagy" feel. Perhaps the occasional outdoor scene and shots help with that. I agree with the reviewers who see it as much more a drama than a comedy. It has some light-hearted bits and a few clever lines. But for the most part, this is a snapshot of a time in the life of a high school senior in the early 20th century who longs for a stage career. We must remember that this was 1913, and although silent films had been around for some time, the allure of becoming a movie star was not something that most young people were drawn to until the 1950s. Before then, it was the stage. In the scene when Ruth (played by Jean Simmons) gives her folks a couple of samples of her abilities, she stops and moves to the lower landing of the stairs, so she could appear more to them as being on stage.
These type of stories made good plots for stage and early movies. Today, they are very uncommon, and not as much of interest. That is, unless they have a particular something extra to jazz them up a bit. But, a film like this gives we viewers the chance to see how truly great acting appears. We don't get much opportunity in the fast-paced films of today. Although the story may be more than mildly interesting for some, it is the acting that makes this movie a winner. It doesn't have a large cast (a la stage play, again), but its four leads are all stellar actors. Simmons is excellent as Ruth, showing a full range of emotions. Spencer Tracy as Clinton Jones is excellent. I agree with another reviewer who said it is one of his best roles. Teresa Wright plays Ruth's mother, Annie, superbly. And, in his first screen role, Anthony Perkins is very good as Ruth's beau, Fred Whitmarsh.
This is a fine biopic and story that some may find somewhat familiar and nostalgic. But, many in modern audiences may find it difficult to sit still long enough to enjoy this film.