popshrink

Fricker won Best Supporting Actress as Daniel Day-Lewis' mom in "My Left Foot." Here, she plays - and splendidly - the opposing role: The well-meaning, unimaginative, "protectress" of the halt and lame. Heaven knows how much Fricker's earlier experience in an equally moving, larger budget, movie must have helped the other actors. What I DO know is Fricker's performance was "On the nose" for this type Administrator. How? I'm a shrink, born with CP, but have used a power-wheelchair only since 2002. As such, I'm far luckier than the "disabled persons" in the cast -let alone people anywhere. Sadly, too few disabled people get the opportunities I've gotten. This despite improved social views, legal protections and a generation of terrific people entering rehabilitative professions. Fears die hard - and doing things "the way it's always been done" is much too easy. Fricker did not play a villain. She played an Administrator too afraid to let go and too unimaginative to face her fears.

Brilliant movie!

How in the world did I miss Fat City's greatness all these years? Ignore the rhetorical question. I read the Leonard Gardner novel when it was published and vastly enjoyed its subdued magic. If I saw the movie, it went past me as an Grad Intern pulling all nighters, and then zoning out during movies in first-run theaters. My friends knew "Great Movies" didn't they? I wasn't gonna stay in and miss out.

Last night, I saw Fat City with "new eyes" - or for the first time! The cast was like a Repertory Theatre cast: All spoke like people speak. Even the local LA boxing legends of my youth. It's far too understated to be compared to "Raging Bull" and proves there was never a recognizable entity like a "John Huston-style" movie.

Astonishing.