Life sucks and blows simultaneously, but I got an unexpected spring-bounce from my April Fool’s joke review of Helen Mirren in Caligula getting an unexpected like on Twitter from the great Valerie Perrine. When I was a kid growing up, we had great actresses to look up to; sure, you’re a fan of Selena Gomez and Zendaya, but classic 70’s stars like Jill Clayburgh, Dyan Cannon and Valerie Perrine could knock their socks off when it came to glamour AND acting prowess.
As a general rule, I try and avoid paying for access to films; watching what’s on offer from publicists at least helps maintain a level playing field. But rules are made to be broken, and after reading about this short documentary on this august site, I laid down my hard-earned cash to get a swatch at it on Vimeo on demand. Perrine’s live-story has enough material for a feature, but this fan-funded project has the right clips and guest-stars to make it well worth a look. Perrine has enjoyed an enviable career; starting out as a Las Vegas showgirl, she managed to come out a winner from the charnel house of the Hugh Hefner mansion. Perrine hit it big in the movies in the 70’s, playing Montana Wildhack in George Roy Hill’s brilliant Kurt Vonnegut adaptation Slaughterhouse-Five then winning an Oscar nomination for Bob Fosse’s Lenny. She’s terrific in both films, but her star just kept rising; she had an iconic role as Miss Teschmacher in Richard Donner’s game-changer Superman in 1978, and another unforgettable role in the unstoppable Village People disco musical Can’t Stop The Music.
Perrine feels that the latter cost her dearly in terms of acting credibility, and she’s probably right, but Can’t Stop The Music was and still is a hoot to behold, and her jumping naked into a bath full of equally naked men has a joyful exuberance that can’t be denied. Perrine wasn’t shy about her body, and a healthy sense of confident sexuality imbues all of her best roles. Valerie: A Portrait of Valerie Perrine manages to licence key clips from all of the above films, and also comes with genuine bona fides from friends like Jeff Bridges and David Arquette.
Valerie brings us up to date with the star fighting against Parkinson’s; those who only want to know about her heyday might find this tough viewing, but it’s clear that Perrine’s greatest role has been herself. It takes real courage on the part of any actress to allow yourself to be filmed at anything other than your best, and Perrine has had no shortage of medical woes to lament. Awards can’t be taken, they can only be bestowed, and Perrine’s storied career is surely worthy of a lifetime achievement gong. But as befits someone that played such a key role in classic 70’s cinema, Valerie is a superdoc that tells Perrine’s story admirably, and should inspire today’s young actresses to follow her lead as an indelible name in Hollywood and cinematic culture.
Great review and thanks for the shout out. She’s such a star in this I was sobbing long before the end. Valerie is such a wonderful person and this was so encapsulated in this.
Totally. Thanks so much for pointing out this film to me, thrilled to hear that people want to see it.
Me too, it’s a lovely tribute to her career and an honest one of her too. I was sad to learn she didn’t get more recognition for this, she certainly deserved it. I loved learning how much she is still loved and has some wonderful supporters.
Obviously we have great movie stars today, but these gals in the 70’s had it all. I think we have more awareness how of how hard it was for women to break through and be recognised for acting, and Perrine absolutely smashed in in that respect. She’s an icon, and I’m thrilled if I can help bring people to her film.
Totally agree with this, was such an honour to do this for her. I’m so glad that you did this for her as you have a bigger impact with your blog. So many actresses and actors disappear from public view, and it’s almost always for heartbreaking reasons. I admire Valerie for her honesty in sharing her story.
Yup, there’s so much emphasis today on presenting a dishonest version of yourself on social media. It takes guts to show how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning. She’s been the most glamororus person on earth, but she’s also not afraid to show who she really is. Not everyone gets the breaks to dominate for decades like Streep; Perrine’s best work is just terrific, and she should look back with satisfaction on what she achieved.
Thanks, I will have to rent that film
It’s a couple of quid well spent, hope you enjoy it!
Great actress – terrific in Lenny and SL5, Last American Hero when that was getting some indie buzz. The flop Agency with Mitchum seemed her last big part.
Remember a big VHS for Agency in my local video store; never saw it! Last American Hero is a good shout, not seen that for yonks…
You didn’t miss much with Agency. Last American Hero had a big critical push when it came out.
Did not know that. Remember it being a bbc 2 Sunday nighter like Rancho Deluxe.
In the same vein for sure.
Parkinsons is just pants. She still is a beautiful person though, that comes through even in the trailer.
This is the correct answer. You have won five pairs of ladies tights.
Thanks, but no thanks. If it isn’t alcohol, it isn’t a prize.
Chilled bottle of Hardy’s?
Harry’s what? Are we talking Tom?
Fek. Hardy got changed to Harry.
Message understood.
BTW is Stuart Birrell your pseudo nom de plume?
Middle names.
Eddie Stuart Birrell Harrison? Blimey O’Reilly. Are you called after grandparents and the like? Birrell is unusual.
I can’t explain that but, but the Stuart is because I’m descended from Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, who led the Scots in rebellion against the English. I’m keen to follow in his footsteps, but not been able to do so due to time constraints and various scheduling issues. Still hoping to fit it in, so be ready!
If he was anything like the nincompoop in Outlander, I’d keep that under my sporan!
Outlander is not an accurate representation of my family history.
Pfui. Outlander’s fab! I’m sure that Prince really was a numpty. He wore a dress on te boat with Flora and everything!
Didn’t say it wasn’t fab, just not an accurate portrayal of my family. And he HAD to wear a disguise, otherwise the English would have killed him! I don’t disparage your family members! Maybe I will lead another Jacobite rebellion after all, you’re asking for it!
Well I checked with my history oracle here and he who has read proper books says Prince Charlie made some daft decisions and was a bit of a cock. I’d stick with Mel Gibson if I were you.
I intend to do better. Mistakes have been made, but I intend to get it right this time. History is written by the victors, and I fully intend that to be me.
Also I am not English.
You live in England. FacT!
Doesn’t make me English. If I moved to Scotland that wouldn’t make me Scottish.
That’s true. But you could be an honorary Scot if you like. Did I say that I thought you were English?
I’ve renounced English. I’m now Worldish.
Citizen of the World. Me too. WP4 4eva!
I’ll send Tom Hardy round with some pino…
That’d be nice.