CRITERION - Amy Irving’s Closet Picks
Amy Irving visits the Criterion Closet to select films, sharing personal anecdotes and insights about her choices. She highlights 'The Great Escape' as the first film her family watched together, emphasizing its impact on her understanding of World War II and its star-studded cast. She also discusses 'Blue Velvet,' noting her mother's role in the film and their shared viewing experiences. Irving praises Liv Ullmann's acting in 'Cries and Whispers,' expressing admiration for her depth and authenticity. She recounts visiting the set of 'Thief' and her connection to Willie Nelson. Irving reflects on her near-involvement in 'Days of Heaven,' appreciating the film's storytelling despite the lack of dialogue. She also mentions her husband's recommendation of 'The Ranown Westerns' and concludes with a nod to the new Blu-ray release of 'Crossing Delancey,' in which she starred.
Key Points:
- Amy Irving selects films from the Criterion Closet, sharing personal stories and insights.
- She highlights 'The Great Escape' as a significant family viewing experience.
- Irving discusses her mother's role in 'Blue Velvet' and their film sessions together.
- She admires Liv Ullmann's acting in 'Cries and Whispers' for its depth and authenticity.
- Irving reflects on her near-involvement in 'Days of Heaven' and appreciates its storytelling.
Details:
1. 🎬 Amy Irving in the Criterion Closet
- Amy Irving visits the Criterion Closet, exploring the collection of films.
- Criterion has released a new Blu-ray of 'Crossing Delancey', featuring Amy Irving.
- During her visit, Amy humorously mentions bringing pickles as a nod to a memorable scene in 'Crossing Delancey'.
- Amy interacts with various films in the Criterion Closet, demonstrating her appreciation for cinema.
2. 🎥 Family Movie Memories: The Great Escape
- The first family movie experience was at a drive-in, featuring 'The Great Escape', introducing the speaker to a film experience outside of theater plays like Shakespeare and Chekhov.
- At nine years old, this experience also served as an introduction to World War II through cinema, providing historical context.
- The film featured notable stars such as Steve McQueen, James Coburn, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, leaving a lasting impression due to their performances.
- Steve McQueen's iconic motorcycle escape scene was particularly memorable and exciting.
- The experience was not only cinematic but also a significant family bonding moment, enhancing the appreciation for films beyond traditional plays.
- The drive-in setting added a unique aspect to this experience, being outdoors and communal, contrasting with indoor theater settings.
3. 🎞️ Honoring Blue Velvet and Family Ties
- The speaker's mother, who is 100 years old, plays Kyle MacLachlan’s mother in the film Blue Velvet, highlighting a unique family connection to the movie.
- They conduct film sessions at her assisted-living facility, including watching Blue Velvet together, which serves as a meaningful activity fostering family bonds.
- These sessions provide not only entertainment but also a way to engage with the speaker's mother, preserving memories and honoring her contributions to film.
- The speaker's relationship with their mother is strengthened through these shared experiences, demonstrating the power of media to connect family members across generations.
4. 🎭 Admiration for Liv Ullmann's Craft
- Liv Ullmann is regarded as the best actress the speaker has ever seen, indicating her exceptional skill and influence in film.
- The speaker has consistently admired Liv Ullmann's acting, highlighting her ability to deliver performances without false notes.
- Liv Ullmann's depth in acting is emphasized as unparalleled, with the speaker acknowledging not having reached the same depth.
- Specific performances, such as her roles in films directed by Ingmar Bergman, showcase her ability to portray complex emotions and characters.
- Ullmann's influence extends beyond her performances, inspiring others in the industry with her dedication to the craft.
5. 🎶 Connections to Thief and Willie Nelson
- The individual visited the set of 'Thief' due to a friendship with Willie Nelson, who was involved in the project.
- An album celebrating Willie Nelson was recently completed, highlighting ongoing professional connections.
- A personal anecdote involves interactions with Tuesday Weld and Steven Spielberg, indicating deeper ties within the film industry.
6. 🎥 Days of Heaven and Film Stories
- Terrence Malick tested various couples for the film 'Days of Heaven', including pairing Brooke Adams with Richard Gere, and John Travolta with the speaker. Brooke Adams was ultimately chosen for the role and excelled in her performance, forming a lasting friendship with the speaker.
- Terrence Malick made a bold decision to remove all dialogue from the script, relying solely on visual storytelling. This approach was highly effective and is praised for its ability to convey a compelling narrative without words, showcasing Malick's unique directorial style and the film's artistic beauty.
7. 🤠 Classic Westerns and Personal Picks
- The Ranown Westerns are a collection of five films directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott, widely regarded as some of the best westerns ever made.
- Film historian Ken Bowser highlighted these films for their exceptional storytelling and character development, emphasizing their influence on the western genre.
- Boetticher's direction and Scott's performances set a standard for westerns, making them a must-watch for enthusiasts and a key study for filmmakers.
- These films are notable for their minimalistic storytelling, focusing on character-driven plots and moral dilemmas typical of classic westerns.
- Ken Bowser specifically requested these films to be brought home, underlining their personal and historical significance.
8. 🎒 Final Picks and Farewell
- The new Blu-ray of 'Crossing Delancey' features new art representing actors Peter Riegert and Amy Irving, showcasing the classic film by Joan Micklin Silver.
- Randomly selected films include 'Rules of the Game,' a masterpiece by Jean Renoir often praised for its intricate narrative and social commentary, and 'Le petit soldat' by Jean-Luc Godard, which explores themes of war and identity, though it is less familiar to the speaker.
- The segment concludes with a farewell, indicating the end of the discussion or event.