Annette Bening, the admired veteran actress, reflects on breaking into Hollywood with 'The Grifters' and 'Bugsy', standout roles in films like 'The Kids Are All Right' and '20th Century Women', and her challenging role as swimmer Diana Nyad in 'Nyad'. They also discuss her parents' influence and the making of 'American Beauty'.
Annette Bening's stunning performance as Mara in 'The Grifters' earned her critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Bening's collaboration with director Barry Levinson and actor Warren Beatty in 'Bugsy' highlighted her exceptional talent and range, receiving widespread recognition and prestigious award nominations.
In '20th Century Women,' Bening's emotionally nuanced portrayal of Dorothea Fields resonated with audiences, exploring themes of motherhood, feminism, and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Grifters - Masterful Performance and Transformation
In the film 'The Grifters,' Annette Bening delivers a stunning performance as Mara, a con artist caught in a complex web of deception. Guided by director Stephen Frears and inspired by Jim Thompson's novel, Bening masterfully portrays Mara's toughness and vulnerability. The meticulous costume design and hair and makeup transformation contributed to the authenticity of her character. Bening's performance received critical acclaim, earning her an Oscar nomination and solidifying her reputation as a versatile and talented actress.
Bugsy - A Memorable Collaboration
Annette Bening's collaboration with director Barry Levinson and actor Warren Beatty in the film 'Bugsy' showcased her exceptional talent and range. Playing the role of Virginia Hill, a daring woman involved with a notorious gangster, Bening captured the complexity and depth of her character. Barry Levinson's direction and the screenplay's exploration of relationships and the blurred lines between reality and performance created a riveting film. Bening's performance garnered critical acclaim, earning her widespread recognition and nominations for prestigious awards.
20th Century Women - A Poignant Examination of Motherhood
In '20th Century Women,' Annette Bening delivered an emotionally nuanced performance as Dorothea Fields, a single mother navigating the challenges of parenthood in the late 1970s. Director Mike Mills skillfully captured the essence of motherhood while exploring themes of identity, feminism, and generational differences. Bening's portrayal of Dorothea highlighted her strength, vulnerability, and the complexities of her character. The film resonated with audiences and critics, praising Bening's outstanding performance and the film's heartfelt exploration of relationships and personal growth.
Career Beginnings and Working with Warren
The podcast explores the actress' early encounters with Warren and her experience working on a movie where she played a role alongside him. They discuss their initial meeting, where she found him to be engaging, intelligent, and charming. They also touch on Warren's desire to have a partner he could have a genuine back-and-forth with. The actress recalls her nervousness but thought of it as a work meeting, not knowing if she had secured the job. Within minutes, Warren knew he wanted her for the part.
Taking Breaks for Motherhood and Love Affair
The podcast delves into the actress' decision to take breaks from her career after having children. She shares her desire to have kids and how she didn't rush back to work after each child's birth. The actress acknowledges her luck in being able to work and have children while taking breaks in between. They also discuss her collaboration with Warren in Love Affair, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, and the excitement of working with esteemed actresses like Catherine Hepburn.
The admired veteran reflects on breaking into Hollywood with 'The Grifters' (en route to an Oscar nom) and 'Bugsy' (opposite husband-to-be Warren Beatty), standout turns in films ranging from 'The Kids Are All Right' to '20th Century Women' to 'Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool' and taking on one of her most challenging roles yet as swimmer Diana Nyad in 'Nyad.'
