Gloria (1980)
When a young boy's family is killed by the mob, their tough neighbor Gloria becomes his reluctant guardian. In possession of a book that the gangsters want, the pair go on the run in New York.
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Charming and brutal
A Major Disappointment
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Cassavetes scores a bullseye with this wonderfully gritty crime drama. Shot when New York City was still a seedy mess before the beginning of, at least in part, its renewal the film has a very noirish grungy feel that add immeasurably to the power of its impact. There are no lovely shots of Central Park or sweeping buildings, you can feel the grime and closeness of the city moving in on Gloria and her young charge. That's all fine and dandy but what makes this story go, and the film would be nothing without her, is the magnificent Gena Rowlands in a diamond hard characterization of a been around gun moll who has absolutely no problem doing whatever is necessary to maintain her safety and that of the young boy whose care she has unexpectedly become responsible for. Always a superior talent she is simply amazing in this. The film itself is entertaining but watch this to see one of the most talented actresses ever ply her trade.
About 30 minutes into this film, I asked someone who had seen it before if it got any better. They replied, "No, it doesn't really get any better. And yet, it's somehow worth watching." They were quickly contradicted by another person who said, "No, it keeps on sucking. That kid is the worst child actor I've ever seen, and I mean including that kid who played Seven on 'Married with Children.'" I agree with the latter. This movie starts bad and truly only gets worse. In the first 30 minutes, you will see two glaring continuity errors, one spectacularly bad special effect, and a lifetime supply of bad writing and acting.I have not knowingly ever seen any of Cassavetes' directorial work, and I am in no rush to correct that. It will take a lot of convincing to make me consider giving him another chance to impress me.Grade: 1 out of 10. Abysmal. Horribly bad in a way that makes me think less of people who think it's good.
Gena Rowlands is Gloria, a tough gangster's moll who gets in over her head when she agrees (reluctantly) to take care of 6 year old Phil Dawn(John Adames), the half Puerto Rican neighbor whose parents (Buck Henry and Julie Carmen) realize that they are about to be murdered by the mob. Henry, a mob bookkeeper, has turned over states evidence, and this means a death sentence for him and his family (which includes a daughter and mother-in-law). Gloria makes it clear from the beginning that she doesn't like kids, much less this one, but unconsciously takes him anyway, leading to a show-off between her and old mob associates, which includes her former lover. Gloria isn't afraid of using her gun to keep the mobsters away from the boy, and instantly, this brings sympathy towards her seemingly cold character. Like gangster's molls of the great crime dramas, she is hiding a heart of gold underneath all that toughness, and that makes the film extremely engrossing in watching out how it all unfolds.Rowlands and Adames are powerful in their performances, and they share an amazing chemistry together. Adames doesn't act like any movie kid; he is real. Why he won a "Razzie" (Worst) Supporting Actor award makes no sense to me. Rowlands plays the role as if she were Gloria Grahame, Ida Lupino and Ann Savage all rolled up into one. This lady will take no nonsense, even telling a tough waitress at a Grand Central restaurant to take a hike. In fact, the film makes great use of New York locales not usually seen in mainstream films. The film is filled with many clichés, and the ending is very forumalatic (in a "The Lady Vanishes" way), but it left me feeling totally satisfied. Sometimes formula works, especially when the heart is present, and this film is filled with heart.
I won't relate the storyline - it's all over the place here. Just trust me on this: GLORIA is a wonderful modern noir, full of kicks and energy and schtick. It belongs to its time and its setting - the 'not nice', hot, sweaty NYC of the late 70's - as much as any great Warner Bros. classic. And Gena Rowlands...oh, my. As with many a classic, there are flaws all over the place, from the murdering of the family in the beginning - dad and mom know what's going to happen and everybody just hangs around, tense and fearful? - to the adorable boy's fairly wretched performance. Doesn't matter. Rowlands takes this flick, straps it on her back, and runs. She is nothing short of sensational, as she was as well a brilliant actress. Too bad she limited herself to (mostly) her husband's films. But, they gave us this. And, if you need to learn how to ride a subway with attitude, order a cold beer, or treat a cabbie, watch and learn.