Yes, I’m a so late writing this and, yup, I’m continuing the theme from yesterday. FYI…my friend’s soon to be ex did leave the house and did sign the document to sell the home. Now, let’s hope he doesn’t stall the selling of the home. Anyway, here are 3 pics of Nasty husbands and I am still not choosing the great film, starring Ingrid Bergman, “Gaslight” because it’s a perfect fit.
1. LES DIABOLIQUES-1955
Skip the horrid remake with Sharon Stone and watch this gem that stars Vera Clouzot as the abused wife of the he’d master in an all boys’ school. Another teacher, played by Simone Signoret, is having an affair with the jerk, but both women have had enough with the a-hole. They devise a plot to murder the husband even though Vera is not happy taking such a drastic step but she can’t take the abuse any longer. Once the deed is done, they feel free…until Vera starts to see her husband and thinks she is going insane. This is one of the best thrillers I have ever seen and, even though it is a French film, it is worth every minute. Sadly, Vera Clouzot died of a sudden heart attack just short of her 47th birthday in 1960.
2. SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY-1991
This film stars Julia Roberts, when she was hitting it big in Hollywood, when she stars as an abused wife to a very, very rich man, who has no idea how to leave this horrid jerk until she figures out a way to stage her own death. She ends up in a small town that is just so pretty especially in the Fall trying to keep to herself but soon falls for the gentle and good man who happens to be a school teacher. Does her nasty, rich, scumbag husband figure out that she is not quite dead yet? This isn’t a bad movie even though it is formulaic but Patrick Bergin shines as the narcissistic jerk who can’t let go.
3. THE GIFT-2000
Cate Blanchett plays a poor, widowed mom with 3 kids who has the gift of seeing people’s futures. Yes, we have a bit of the fantasy element here which really is integral to the plot of the film. There is the death of a young woman who seemed to love sleeping with every man in that small town. Keanu Reeves(yup, nice Keanu) plays an extremely abusive lout who beats his wife, played by Hilary Swank, and threatens Cate because she told Hilary to leave the a-hole. This is a gem of a film that is a thriller, a mystery and a fantasy but it all works. The acting is superb and Keanu shines as this extremely, frightening lout with nothing redeeming about him. A worthy look.
Lastly,
ANN MILLER IN EASTER PARADE(1948)
Why am I showing this famous dance number starring the wondrous, Ann Miller? Ann Miller was married to Reese Milner, a steel millionaire, and pregnant, when he beat her up and threw her down the stairs breaking her back and resulting in early labour. She gave birth to a daughter that died shortly afterwards an, to top it off, she could no longer have children. During this number, she had to wear a back brace and was in incredible pain due to the abuse. Ever the professional, she danced on creating this famous number. I hope you watch this knowing what she endured.
So, which films can you think of dealing with abused women?
Glad the jerk is out of the house!
ReplyDeleteI remember The Gift. Good movie.
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope that the nasty ex-hubby makes an adjustment to the "new normal" and doesn't start obsessing over his loss and plotting ways to get revenge. As we all know too well, it could go either way.
I remember actress Simone Signoret from boyhood. The French film The Devils does look like a nicely executed B&W noir thriller. Yessum, upon its release, Mrs. Shady and I watched the Julia Roberts movie Snoozing With The Enema. While I don't particularly fancy Julia ever since she was a b---- on the Howard Stern Show, I like movies with this plot device. The Gift looks great. I like Keanu and Katie Holmes and I'll watch anything with Greg Kinnear. Ann Miller was amazingly resilient. Her courage should inspire us all. Whenever you are down in the dumps and think you have it bad, remember that there are many people going through worse, in some cases, much worse.
Shadyween 2025 is in full swing at Shady's Place and you are invited to the potty, dear friend BB. Have a safe and healthy October, if not a happy one.