Dean Norris – This Had Oscar Buzz

We are joined by none other than You Must Remember This’ Karina Longworth this week to talk about one of our most unique and most requested Oscar cases. In 1994, The Last Seduction gave a modern riff on classic noir with a sexually frank femme fatale played by Linda Fiorentino who pulls a game of deception on multiple men. The film initially aired on HBO, but an enthusiastic critical response built towards October Films giving the film a theatrical release. With Fiorentino’s performance earning major critics prizes and even a BAFTA nomination, October Films sued the Academy when the film was deemed ineligible thanks to its television debut. Though nothing came from the suit, the film has continued to amass its fans in recent years.

This episode, we talk about Fiorentino’s celebrated performance and some of the more troublesome aspects of the film’s politics. We also discuss You Must Remember This’ brand new season Erotic 90s, Dirty Dancing winning Best Original Song, and the film’s infamous chain link fence sex scene.

Topics also include Fiorentino’s reputation, Tom Cruise’s 1999, and buying Playboys in Serbia.

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After The Secret in Their Eyes won Argentina and director Juan José Campanella the 2009 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, an American remake emerged with primo screenwriter and director Billy Ray attached. Dropping the The faster than a gritty reboot, the American Secret In Their Eyes not only drew top stars but, in adaptation, turned the original’s reflection on military rule into a post-9/11 set thriller of institutional corruption. With an awards friendly cast of headliners of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, and And-credit Julia Roberts, the film’s grim but tepid examination of morals deflated by the search for justice met an indifferent critical response after skipping the fall festival season.

This episode, we talk about Billy Ray’s work as a franchise screenwriter and trio of directorial efforts, including his sensational, underrated debut Shattered Glass. We also talk about the original’s Oscar win over early season Cannes-certified films The White Ribbon and A Prophet, the headliner’s television misfires, and actor Joe Cole’s dual villain roles as A Nose and Marshall Mathers.

Topics also include Laura Linney in an upcoming “Catholic 80 for Brady,” the strong run of recent International Feature winners, and Julia Roberts’ bangs.

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Tag: Dean Norris

237 – The Last Seduction (with Karina Longworth!)

236 – Secret In Their Eyes