LAURA LINNEY & JULIANNE MOORE

Posted by JOpinionated on September 1, 2005 in Film | 0 comments

There are a few select actresses who are good in every movie, no matter the genre, size of the role, or box-office success. Two that come to mind are Laura Linney and Julianne Moore. I will never forget watching Robert Altman’s Short Cuts for the first time, startled by the sight of Moore lecturing her onscreen husband, wearing nothing but his button-down shirt. Trust me when I tell you that the scene is not gratuitous, but it is revealing.  It is hard to believe that Moore is 45 and has already appeared in 50 films, delivering above-average performances in most. Her talent is evident and admirable, and her work encompasses a wide range of cinema. When I think about Moore in films like Safe, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Far From Heaven, and The Hours, I have no doubt that there is an Oscar in her near future. Laura Linney first garnered my attention in Tales of the City back in 1993. It was her turn as Jim Carrey’s wife in The Truman Show that made me a fan for life, and the deal was sealed with You Can Count On Me. Linney seems to alternate between mainstream movies and independent film, but I find her to be compelling in every role. Recent favorites include Mystic River, where she ate up the scenery with none other than Sean Penn, P.S. (a quiet gem) and Kinsey.