Mr. Movie: Gena Rowlands

Like so many actors (e.g. Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones), Gena Rowlands was awarded one of those “lifetime achievement” Oscars instead of for the roles for which she was nominated. This is often the Academy’s way of saying “oops, we should make this up to her.” 

Rowlands died at 94. She had over 200 movie and TV appearances, and she worked until 2017 when ill health finally sidelined her. She famously married maverick director John Cassavetes and acting in his films brought her two Oscar nominations. In all, she appeared in 10 of his films. They were together until his death in 1989. In 2004, she got to act in a film directed by her son, Nick.

Her acting in A Woman Under The Influence (1974), directed by Cassavetes, brought her first Oscar nomination. She lost to Ellen Burstyn for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Any More. As Mabel, Rowlands runs the emotional gamut from calm and loving to drunk and disorderly. She is institutionalized and returns home different, but not in a good way. She makes you believe this damaged, hurting woman.

As the title figure Gloria (1980), Rowlands is the neighbor of a couple in trouble with the mob. She is convinced to take their son, Phil, and try to look after him. She also takes the incriminating ledger the neighbors had given her. Gloria and Phil run and hide from the gangsters and she proves as tough as the pursuers. Cassavetes also directed this one. Though again nominated for Oscar, this time Rowlands lost to Sissy Spacek for Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Later Rowlands got the chance of a lifetime, acting in a film directed by her son, Nick. The Notebook (2004) is a real tear-jerker based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel. Allie, Rowland’s character, was once in love with Noah, a boy from a wealthy high society family. They part when he goes to fight in World War II, still much in love. He writes to her every day but his hateful mother intercepts all the letters and Allie becomes engaged to another man. But when she sees his picture in a newspaper story, she realizes she still loves him. Allie goes off the deep end and is institutionalized. Her memory comes and goes, but she manages to reunite with Noah.

In Cassavetes’ far-out Faces (1968), Rowlands portrays Jeannie, a friend of Maria, whose marriage is dissolving. Another Cassavetes outing with Rowlands is the frenetic Minnie and Moscovitz (1971). She plays the title character, a museum curator with multiple romantic entanglements.

Rowlands’ last appearance of note is as Violet Deveraux in The Skeleton Key (2005). She plays the matron of a decrepit southern mansion (haunted, of course). She does a good job but this one is not my cup of tea. If you like spooky, dig in.

All of the films in this article are available somewhere for streaming. All are for grown-ups.