October 10, 2004
The Grudge: It's Make or Break Time For Sarah Michelle Gellar
In re-making the unbelievably horrifying Japanese terror flick The Grudge, Sam Rami made a surprising casting choice for his lead female role: Sarah Michelle Gellar. I was really surprised when I heard about this. Even some of the most die hard Buffy fans acknowledge that Gellar has yet to impress anyone with her acting prowess (although she wasn't bad in Cruel Intentions). Her detractors will tell you she's more pop-icon than actress. Others will tell you she's underrated and has yet to be given a real opportunity to shine.
The Grudge is a good test for Gellar for a couple of reasons. This is a non-teen serious role for her, which is something she's never really done before. If she can pull off a good (not even great) performance, then I think it will cause a lot of us to look at her in a different light. Perhaps she can have a post-Buffy career. However, if she drops the ball in The Grudge, her detractors will become solidified in their position, some of her fans will admit defeat, and most importantly those of us who are undecided will dismiss her.
Perhaps I'm being a bit melodramatic (oh like that never happens) about the importance of this role for Gellar. Perhaps it doesn't really matter all that much. But I honestly believe this will be the film that determines what kind of immediate future Sarah Michelle Gellar will have as an actress. Personally, I'm guessing she falls flat... but let's withhold judgement until after we see the flick.
Posted by John Campea at October 10, 2004 11:41 PM
Comments
Posted by: RichardB at October 11, 2004 08:10 AM
I think she's at a point right now where most of us haven't made up our minds about her yet. If she does turn in a good job with The Grudge, I think the majority of us are willing to notice it. Unfortunetly for her... we're also ready to notice if she blows it.
Posted by: John Campea at October 11, 2004 01:23 PM
Boo to Raimi for remaking this film with the same director on the same (?) locations...Why not give a wider release to the original which was perfectly fine as it is...
[perhaps I should say boo to the North American Public who refuse to watch subtitled films unless they are Jesus Torture...Hero and CTHD excepted..bravo for not remaking them in english!]
Posted by: triflic at October 11, 2004 05:49 PM
Yeah, it can be hard on TV actresses who try to make the switch to movies because we've only seen them one way. Especially the action-oriented shows - Peta Wilson of La Femme Nikita comes to mind also. Jennifer Garner of Alias fame may not have that same problem as within the show itself we've seen her in varous outfits and acting as different characters so when she made the switch to the big screen she did well. She'll do well again on the big screen if all the variables are right.
Gellar? We'll see. It'll work or it won't.
Like Triflic I'd like to see more distributors take the risk of funding the costs necessary to release the originals on a wider release (or AT ALL!. Another problem is that the major studios buy up the rights to these films when they hit big overseas so that they can remake them with American actors and actresses because the story has already been proven. I mean, GOD FORBID they take the risk of paying a screenwriter for an original story. You should see the slew of Japanese horror/sci-fi flicks that are about to be re-made with Americans. But the filmmaker of these movies are willing to sell the rights so what can you do?
Posted by: Crystal at October 11, 2004 08:05 PM
asd
Posted by: asd at October 12, 2004 10:02 AM
Triflic, you say just give a wider release? I'm glad they did the remake this way. If studios want to spend money to remake a movie rather then try and market the older version then that's fine by me. As long as it is as good or better than the original. This hardly happens, however. What with differences that will give the remake a different feel. But Raimi got the same director who directed Ju On. The only difference is the larger budget. They can actually make Ju On better through The Grudge.
Look at it this way. Personally I liked the Ring better than Ringu. Bigger budget. And this isn't a remake of an asian movie, but the remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre improved on the older version as well (IMO).
New TCSM > Old TCSM
The Ring > Ringu
and if it goes the way I think it will...
The Grudge > Ju On
I don't think it's about the subtitles (although I'm sure that has something to do with it). I don't think it can work well with everything but this is one movie that I don't mind them remaking. I may eat my words later when truckloads of Asian horror movies are being remade and the whole thing is just a sour taste in my mouth, but for right now I'm fine with it.
Posted by: Jonstafa at October 13, 2004 03:07 PM
Sarah was good in the film, but the film itself was appalling - the whole cinema was laughing at how naff it was. I'm sorry, but I was very disappointed. Not what I expected at all.
Posted by: Nic at November 2, 2004 11:13 AM
i loooooove sarah michelle gellar and i love horror films so i love this movie. i didnt think it was scary but i thought it was a bit jumpy. i am a huge fan of sarah and i cant wait till i see her new movie! i am sarah michelle gellars number 1 fan in all of europe!!! i have pics of her all over my walls and loads of merchandise. i could tell u them all but i dont want to bore you with my 100 page list!!!
Posted by: deborah at August 23, 2005 11:46 AM
Won't the bigger issue be if we all accept her? She could give a perfect performance, but it would then be up to the audience to accept her in a role outside of Buffy.
However, she does have to produce a good performance first. Can't really comment on that bit having not seen her in anything outside of Buffy, I might be one of the ones that find that move difficult if she's not spot on.