broken english – the one good parker posey film
Film directors are clueless when it comes to actress Parker Posey. The problem is that she combines a lot of unusual features. She’s smart and attractive in a non-Hollywood sort of way. Her screen presences fluctuates between detached, frantic, and engaged – and sometimes all three at once. She’s often been relegated to trivial film roles, like the cynical ex-girl friend (You’ve Got Mail), the freak (House of Yes), or as clever-by-a-half bit parts in comic ensemble movies (Waiting for Guffman or A Mighty Wind). It’s made her a minor legend within the indie film world, because her roles are so gimmicky and she has great presence, but she’s yet had the chance to really make a superior film that takes advantage of her personality.
The good news is that there is finally a film that exploits her unusual personna. Directed by Zoe Cassavetes, Broken English is a simple film about a 30-ish woman in a lame job who has trouble with men. Of course, she meets a man who snaps her out of it. But the difference is that Cassavetes allows Parker to sink into the role of Nora and Cassavetes doesn’t railroad the story, as you might expect from a big studio film. The Nora character has the luxury of responding thoughtfully to a wide range of situations, the perfect vehicle for an actress like Posey who can project all manner of emotions. The film also highlights Sopranos actress Drea de Matteo in a fine supporting role. Definitely worth seeking out on DVD if you like Posey or have a taste for non-formula relationship films. Though I didn’t enjoy it as much as some folks, Fay Grim features Posey as a woman who found out her missing husband has a secret life. Indie film geeks should like it.
broken english – the one good parker posey film
You don’t like The Daytrippers?
Kieran
November 23, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I’m with Kieran – The Daytrippers is the quintessential Parker Posey film. It’s a little more than a bit part isn’t it?
brayden
November 23, 2007 at 4:54 pm
There’s only one way to settle this: The orgheads and their families should drop by my house. I’ll get sandwiches and a huge bucket of chicken wings, and I’ll rent Daytrippers and Broken English. The kids will retire to the basement apartment with a copy of Princess Mononoke and the original Star Wars trilogy (the prequels are forbidden in my house). Don’t bother renting them, I’ve got my own.
While the kids party, we’ll watch Daytrippers and Broken English back to back. Then we’ll have a panel discussion with Q&A, Sundance style. I think with the proper amount of BBQ sauce and diet Sprite, we can settle our differences in a peaceful manner. Deal?
Fabio Rojas
November 23, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Sounds like a deal. I’ll bring the popcorn.
brayden
November 24, 2007 at 3:16 pm
“Daytrippers” was what I clicked on the “comments” link to post, too– but I have to say that I liked almost all the 90s indie flicks that made her name, including House of Yes, Party Girl, and Clockwatchers– and the last I’d certainly defend as actually being a good film.
Jacob T. Levy
November 26, 2007 at 12:38 am
Jacob sez: “…and the last I’d certainly defend as actually being a good film.”
That’s the point. We all enjoy Parker’s acting, but can she be in a film that takes her talent more seriously? Between Broken English and Fay Grimm, we’ve finally got the Parker that we deserve.
fabiorojas
November 26, 2007 at 12:41 am