MY ANNETTE FILM REVIEWS
Annette Bening has made 16 films since her debut in 1988. Below are reviews of 14 of them. I was unable to review Cookie Monter's Best Bites because it is out of print. If you have seen this movie, please send me your reviews of them and I will put them up. Thanks!
The Great Outdoors (1988)
This is a silly comedy, and that is all that I can say to describe it. Annette plays the wife of Dan Akroyd. The two of them and there creepy twins drive up to "God's Country" as they call it in the movie, and invade on the nice family vacation that Annette's sister, Connie (Stephanie Faracy) and her family are trying to have. Kate (Annette Bening) and Connie get along well_ after all, they are sisters, but as for Roman (Dan Akroyd) and Chet (John Candy) do not get along as well. To sum up the movie, it is defiantly not oscar worthy, and you can tell that it is Annette's first film. If you are looking for good laughs, this is a movie that you should check out!
Postcard's from the Edge (1990)
If you are looking for a great Annette movie, do not rent this one. Annette only makes a cameo appreance in this Mike Nichols film. The main plot is about an actress (Meryl Streep) and her over the top, alcholic mom (Shirly McLaine). It has some funny parts, but it is overall a drama.
Valmont (1989)
This movie is only Annette's second movie, but if you saw it, you would not have been able to tell. Annette is remarkable as Marques, a scheming woman only looking out for herself. This is a period drama, but is easy to follow. A more recent version of this movie is Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar playing the same part as Annnette. Be sure to check this one out. You will definitly like it!
The Grifters (1990)
This is a very dark movie. It has a lot of funny scenes, but i would say that this is a crime-drama. It basically shows how life is for 3 con-artists who practically are family. In this movie Annette plays the girlfriend of John Cusack. Her role is clearly a supporting role, but she acts extrememly well in it. She recieved an Academy Award nomination for her role as Myra Langtry, the seductive con-artist. The movie, in a way was sort of disturbing, but overall good entertainment. There are wonderful performances from John Cusack, Anjelica Houston, and of course, Annette Bening. It is an excellenct movie, a movie that most people , no matter what type of movie they like, will like it.
Bugsy (1991)
This romantic gangster movie is a must see for all of the hopeless romantics out there, and also for all of the people that like action. This movie includes both, and pulls it off extremely well. It tells the story of gangster, Benjamin (Bugsy) Segal (Warren Beatty) and his need for everything. Throughout the movie he has a love interest, Virginia Hill, gracefully portrayed by Annette Bening. It tells the story of the good and the bad times while starting Las Vegas and everything in between. This is also the movie where Warren and Annette met and fell in love. Please rent it if you want to see Annette in an oscar worthy perfomance. This one of my favorites!
Regarding Henry (1991)
This is a drama, plain and simple. Harrison Ford plays a ruthless lawyer out to get his way. Annette Bening plays his wife, who is cheating on him, while he is cheating on her. Within the first 15 minutes we see Harisson being shot and through the rest of the movie his recuppertaion. He realizes that he didn't want to be the same man that he was before he was shot. So, he quits his job, and falls in love with his wife all over again. This is a must see for all people that like drama. Harrison Ford gives a wonderful performance, as well as Annette. This is one of my favorites!
Guilty By Suscpicon (1991)
This drama set in the 1950's tells the story of a one time Hollywood movie director that cannot get work because of his past that dealt a little with communism. David Merrill ( Robert DeNiro), soon moves in with his wife whom he had just divorced (Annette Bening), and there son. This is a wonderful movie. It is clearly a drama, but works on so many levels. Annette's role is more of a supporting role, but she is wonderful in it.
Love Affair (1994)
This film was the first film that Annette had done in 3 years. After making Bugsy, she took time off to have her first child with husband, Warren Beatty.She made her enterance back into Hollywood in the remake of 1939's Love Affair. Annette plays Terry McKay, a singer, and Warren plays Mike Gambril, former football player/ladies man. This movie is about starting over. I love it, it is sweet, funny, and serious. It is a romantic- comedy/drama. This is one of my favorites. However, it did not do well in the box office.
The American President (1995)
This romantic comedy was an extrodinary film. Widowed President Andrew Shepard (Michael Douglas) meets Sydney Ellen Wade a liberal lobbyist (Annette Bening) and falls in love. This film tells the story of the problems when the president wants to have a private life, and especially when he as a girlfriend. This movie did well at the box office, and is my personal favorite out of all of Annette's movies. Please check this out, it is not just a "chic flick", it is also very political and dramatic.
Richard III (1995)
In this particular film Annette portrays Queen Elizabeth. Her role, in my opinion is a supporting role. You don't see her much during the film. You see more of it's star, Ian McKellan. Also in the film is Robert Downey Jr. I can not begin to explain this film. For me, it was hard to follow. I did not like it, however, I did notice that Annette's performance was great. If you like dramas with a little dose of action, along with a little Shakespeare talk, this is a movie for you.