Gloria

Genre: crime drama  

With: Gena Rowlands (Gloria Swenson), John Adames (Phil Dawn), Julie Carmen (Jeri Dawn), Buck Henry (Jack Dawn), Jessica Castillo (Joan Dawn), John Finnegan (Frank), Basilio Franchina (Tony Tanzini)

Director: John Cassavetes

Screenplay: John Cassavetes

Release: 1980

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.2/10 

 

Babysitter with a Snubnose 

 

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Story-line: the Bronx in the late 1970s. Coming home from the grocery store, Jeri Dawn finds the household in a panic. Her husband Jack warns her that the mob is looking for him and that fleeing is their only option. As they pack up essentials, a good-hearted neighbour named Gloria rings at the door. Pressed for time, Jeri asks her an unusual favour: to take care of her two kids, Joan and Phil.

Pluses: great acting by a lovely and gutsy Gena Rowlands and a spunky John Adames (the two dominant characters in the story), fine support from a good cast, no-frills direction by a most respected helmer, an uncluttered, ever-interesting screenplay that shows humanity and brutality for what they are, Fred Schuler’s eye-catching cinematography, credible production values, George C. Villaseñor’s noteworthy editing, a swinging musical score by Bill Conti and a memorable ending.

Minuses: none really.

Comments: among movie critics, GLORIA hasn’t scored as highly as other works by John Cassavetes − maybe because it’s more of an action film than one of his profound character studies − but it deserves to be seen and even admired. It’s a thrill to watch Gloria − who knows about mob culture − establish a reluctant and difficult relationship with little Phil, a bright boy in dire straits. Heartbreak, danger, irony and courage, this movie scores on all accounts. And, above all else, there’s Gena Rowlands. Gena, Gena, Gena… 

 

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