Ellen Barkin has a new fan in Salon’s Andrew O’Hehir who gives Another Happy Day the Pick of the Week star and writes this about Barkin:
I’m not quite sure why the second and third chapters of showbiz careers can seem so satisfying to watch — does it suggest that we ourselves may find unexpected success late in life, or is the impulse more altruistic than that? Anyway, there’s a whole bunch of high-appeal late-career action in writer-director Sam Levinson’s bracing family comedy “Another Happy Day,” whose delicious ensemble reaches from Ellen Burstyn and George Kennedy to Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth and Ezra Miller. They’re all good, but none of them can outdo Ellen Barkin’s blistering, hilarious and compassionate performance as a damaged mom negotiating her screwed-up parents, screwed-up kids and screwed-up self. Levinson’s movie is highly enjoyable, if cast in a conventional mold, but I’m fully going on the warpath for Barkin, who has soldiered on through a long period of post-stardom and deserves an Oscar nomination for this role, right now.
O’Hehir is one of the few critics standing up for Barkin and for the film, seeming to appreciate the singularly spectacular thing she has done with this role at this stage of her career.
Even some of the bad reviews, though, do single out Barkin, like this one from Movieline’s Alison Willmore:
It’s a marvel of a performance from Barkin, who takes a character who should have all easy sympathy on her side and makes her challenging and weighty, a woman who deserves recompense but makes it difficult for anyone to want to give it to her. It’s unfortunate that the film nevertheless loads things in her favor by refusing to grace her worst tormentors with the same complexity — Moore in particular is a monster who may well have self-tanner running through her veins instead of blood.
And from the Daily News:
It’s Barkin, though, who holds everything together, even as her character is falling apart. Whether or not she took this role as a favor — Levinson’s father, Barry, directed her in “Diner” decades ago — ultimately seems irrelevant. This isn’t an invitation you should feel obliged to accept. But if you decide to stop by, she’ll be the reason you stay.
a whole new kid is in town .Hitler’s Grave is just what the doctor could advise in a terrible mood the wolrd is in these tormented days.i watched this film in San Antonio and should admit, it robbed my feelings all the way to the final seconds of the movie with one heck of a script so original one should first come to the idea and then write so beautifully around it.
this marvelous film gets my oscars for the best film; story,directing and the actress is wonderful
see it and believe me you have a wonderful time giving it a 10
best film of the year
a whole new kid is in town .Hitler’s Grave is just what the doctor could advise in a terrible mood the wolrd is in these tormented days.i watched this film in San Antonio and should admit, it robbed my feelings all the way to the final seconds of the movie with one heck of a script so original one should first come to the idea and then write so beautifully around it.
this marvelous film gets my oscars for the best film; story,directing and the actress is wonderful
see it and believe me you have a wonderful time giving it a 10
best film of the year
Hmmmm an ad for this film at the top of the site and then a RAVE for Barkin. I’m no mathematician but equals BOUGHT!
M
Hmmmm an ad for this film at the top of the site and then a RAVE for Barkin. I’m no mathematician but equals BOUGHT!
M
phantom
Well, i’m just crossing my fingers for her.
And waiting for december 9th… Something’s gonna change…
phantom
Well, i’m just crossing my fingers for her.
And waiting for december 9th… Something’s gonna change…
Go Ellen!!!
Go Ellen!!!
gabriel
I think/hope so, too…for now. I think she could get snubbed AGAIN, only if
– ‘Young Adult’ becomes a sleeper hit
– Elizabeth Olsen sweeps the critics awards Mulligan-style (no newbie this year ?)
– ‘Dragon Tattoo’ becomes a best picture frontrunner
But those are still rather big “if”s.
gabriel
I think/hope so, too…for now. I think she could get snubbed AGAIN, only if
– ‘Young Adult’ becomes a sleeper hit
– Elizabeth Olsen sweeps the critics awards Mulligan-style (no newbie this year ?)
– ‘Dragon Tattoo’ becomes a best picture frontrunner
But those are still rather big “if”s.
I think Swinton will be the 5th…
I think Swinton will be the 5th…
She doesn’t have the support for the 5th Slot, but She should earn an Independent Spirit Award Nomination. The acting categories this year, especially in the lead categories are overflowing with marvelous worthy performances that will not make the final 5.
Also in Another Happy Day, the entire cast is strong,and certainly Ellen Burstyn, as Ellen Barkin’s mother is EXCELLENT,(As usuaul)and should garner some strong buzz, those were the 2 performances that stuck with me most from the movie! Ellen Burstyn should definitely be in the mix, and in the supporting category there is more room for her, especially if the movie has a following!
She doesn’t have the support for the 5th Slot, but She should earn an Independent Spirit Award Nomination. The acting categories this year, especially in the lead categories are overflowing with marvelous worthy performances that will not make the final 5.
Also in Another Happy Day, the entire cast is strong,and certainly Ellen Burstyn, as Ellen Barkin’s mother is EXCELLENT,(As usuaul)and should garner some strong buzz, those were the 2 performances that stuck with me most from the movie! Ellen Burstyn should definitely be in the mix, and in the supporting category there is more room for her, especially if the movie has a following!
Maria Bello was brilliant in ‘Beautiful Boy’, I agree, she should be a contender, but unfortunately I don’t see it unless the critics awards give her a big comeback.
Barkin’s campaign reminds me of 2005, when a lot of people – including me – REALLY wanted Joan Allen getting a nod for the similar ‘The Upside of Anger’ but it just didn’t happen…
The problem is it is midNovember and we already have 4 (!) nearlocks – Streep, Close, Davis, Williams – , at least 3 remarkably strong contenders for the 5th slot – Swinton, Theron, Olsen – not to mention the big question mark, Rooney Mara.
Having said that, Barkin has some momentum at the moment and that should count – and put her higher on the list than the early bloomers (Ronan, Wasikowska, Dunst, Knightley, Oduye, Jones, Bello) of the season – BUT even then, there are AT LEAST 7 contenders already ahead of her…and there are only 5 slots.
In my opinion, her only shot at this is pulling a ‘Linney’…the question is : does she have the industry support to do that ?
Maria Bello was brilliant in ‘Beautiful Boy’, I agree, she should be a contender, but unfortunately I don’t see it unless the critics awards give her a big comeback.
Barkin’s campaign reminds me of 2005, when a lot of people – including me – REALLY wanted Joan Allen getting a nod for the similar ‘The Upside of Anger’ but it just didn’t happen…
The problem is it is midNovember and we already have 4 (!) nearlocks – Streep, Close, Davis, Williams – , at least 3 remarkably strong contenders for the 5th slot – Swinton, Theron, Olsen – not to mention the big question mark, Rooney Mara.
Having said that, Barkin has some momentum at the moment and that should count – and put her higher on the list than the early bloomers (Ronan, Wasikowska, Dunst, Knightley, Oduye, Jones, Bello) of the season – BUT even then, there are AT LEAST 7 contenders already ahead of her…and there are only 5 slots.
In my opinion, her only shot at this is pulling a ‘Linney’…the question is : does she have the industry support to do that ?
I’m not so negative. I think she is a dark horse in a very competitive year.
The other dark horse? Maria Bello in “Beautiful Boy”. I wish this picture would get a goddamn distributor! I want to see it badly.
I’m not so negative. I think she is a dark horse in a very competitive year.
The other dark horse? Maria Bello in “Beautiful Boy”. I wish this picture would get a goddamn distributor! I want to see it badly.
Wow more nepotism. Am i missing someone:
Barry levinson
Sam levinson
Ivan reitman
Jason reitman
John cassavetes
Nick cassavetes
Clint eastwood
Alison eastwood
David lynch
Jennifer lynch
Ff copolla
Sofia copolla
Dont get me wrong most of them are competent, but if nepotism has prevented a spike lee from making it, thats the biggest shame
Wow more nepotism. Am i missing someone:
Barry levinson
Sam levinson
Ivan reitman
Jason reitman
John cassavetes
Nick cassavetes
Clint eastwood
Alison eastwood
David lynch
Jennifer lynch
Ff copolla
Sofia copolla
Dont get me wrong most of them are competent, but if nepotism has prevented a spike lee from making it, thats the biggest shame