Sunday, March 28, 2010

Kathy Bates

I have a new favorite actress -- Kathy Bates. She's everywoman. She has had a role in each of the last few movies I have seen, and in each one of them she has stolen every scene. She played Michael Oher's tutor in The Blind Side, and brought his grades -- and the movie -- up from a C- to an A. She was wonderful. And who else could steal a movie from Michelle Feiffer or Kate Winslet? Only Kathy Bates. And for some reason, Kathy Bates never seems to age. She has had the same face for 20 years.

Kathy Bates was blessed with an expressive, mobile face and she can either look attractive or she can look dreadful, and she can switch from one face to the other in an instant. As Annie Wilkes in Misery, the role for which she won an Oscar, she was truly frightening.

"I'm your number one fan. There's nothing to worry about. You're gonna be just fine. I'll take good care of you. I'm your number one fan. You better show me a little more appreciation, Mr. Man."

I think that's the scariest line ever spoken in a movie. It still makes my hair stand on end. During an interview she once said, "I read the book and had to do the movie," she says. "My response to any material is through my stomach. If it grabs me there, I have to do it, and Misery did."

Kathy Bates appears to be having the time of her life in every role she plays. It's as if she knows she's the best thing in the movie, and she plays it to the hilt, but in a subtle way, as if her fans are part of a private club, and only we are in on the secret. Her hot tub scene with Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt was a hoot. Lately Kathy Bates has had a recurring role on The Office, as the CEO of a company taking over Dunder Mifflin, and she has completely re-energized the show.

Kathy, I'm your number one fan.

29 comments:

Carol E. said...

You described this perfectly... the secret club that gets her playfulness in a movie! I LOVE her, too. I loved her in... dang, forgot the name. It was a Stephen King story about an old woman that lived out in the boonies, and Kathy B. was her housekeeper. You can just imagine.

Jennifer D said...

I totally agree Jo!

Kathy Bates is a true star. I just watched Titanic again a few weeks ago and I couldn't keep my eyes and mind off her, she stole every scene she was in. Kathy was someone I will never forget in Misery. Oh and Fried Green Tomatoes... one of my favorite movies of all time, she is amazing in that one.
I have a movie in my Netflix queue with her in it, I am sorry I can't remember the name but it is one I have never heard of and I chose it just because Kathy is in it.
Ah... Kathy Bates, a true treasure.

Jennifer D said...

The movie I refered to above is titled A Home of Our Own (1993). I am sure I will love it.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

This is a great post about Kathy!
Love her too
Thanks for sharing
Maggie

Leslie Avon Miller said...

She is every woman. And very attractive, appealing and funny, without being a rail thin, beauty queen. Someone we can relate to.

Amy said...

Jo, She's always been one of my favorites. Fried Green Tomatoes, Primary Colors, Six Feet Under come to mind. I need to see The Blind Side!

When we returned from our camping trip a few days ago, Precious was waiting (NetFlix) - that was a tough one to watch but I'm happy I did.

DJan said...

A truly interesting chameleon. She can be anything, and usually is riveting. I agree she can steal a scene from anyone! I've got so many possible movies to watch, but I'll add the 1993 movie I haven't seen yet.

allisondegeorge said...

jo
i so agree...
we just saw kathy b again in blind side.
thanks for your recent commentary on precious.
i keep thinking i want to see it, then i think no, i don't...
but i'm getting closer!

L. D. said...

I like her in all movies, but her role as Unsinkable Molly Brown in the Titanic was one of my favorites. Are your going to cut her meat for her too, Cal?? was my favorite line. Enjoyed the read.

Paula Slade said...

She is an awesome actress!

Rosaria Williams said...

She is a woman/actor of substance. Total fan here.

Owen said...

Will have to catch up with some of these... thanks for the tips ! And I'm a Stephen King fan, but still haven't gotten around to seeing Misery... so many movies, so little time !

Russell said...

My favorite Kathy Bates movie is her role in Fried Green Tomatoes.

There is a scene where two girls in a little red Volkswagen take her parking place by zipping in front of her. They make a silly remark and walk away laughing.

Kathy Bates's character takes her big car and smashes it into the little Volkswagen over and over. As the young, rude girls come running back screaming, Kathy Bates smiles and says she has better insurance or something like that.

I love that scene!

@eloh said...

I have been in love with Kathy Bates since "Misery". I have seen and have copies of all her movies... so PLEASE hear me.... if you have never seen "Unconditional Love"... you have never seen a Kathy Bates movie.

Country Girl said...

She was great in the HBO show, Six Feet Under. She appeared in the last season, if I remember correctly.
Love her!

Alissa Grosso said...

Kathy Bates is a very talented actress. I am always impressed how even in a small role she can transform a movie.

Belizegial said...

Kathy Bates is a versatile actress. The movie performances which I saw of her were in Misery and Fried Green Tomatoes. She won Best Actress performance for both.

If I didn't mention it before, I like your new blog face. I can almost hear the birds cawing overhead. LOL

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I have practically worshiped her for many, many years. She has long been one of the most under-appreciated actors in Hollywood and I'm thrilled to see her finally getting the exposure and the kudos she so deserves.

She was simply awesome in Misery, and in everything she does. I simply love her.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Russell,

That scene is one of my all time favorites in a movie, too. She rams the little Bug repeatedly while yelling "Tawanda!!!" The girls tell her "Face it, lady, we're younger and faster," to which she responds, "Face it, girls, I'm older and have better insurance." I could watch that scene all day long.

Leilani Tresise said...

Fried Green Tamatoes.. my favvvv movie.. I have loved Kathy Bates work for a LONG time. She makes her roles sooo believeable!!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved her in Fried Green Tomatoes... she is ace :0)

PinkPanthress said...

I so love this woman!
She's a 1A Actress & can do everything, from a Psycho to a loving Mother!!! <3

Smalltown RN said...

You know Josie...I would tend to agree with you. Kathy is a very versatile actress and I don't think she gets the credit she so deserves.

Great post....

Pamela Kieffer said...

"Fried Green Tomatoes" that was one of my favorites

Brenda said...

My favorite was Fried Green Tomatoes. I thought about her yesterday when so many rude people would not let me get out of my parking spot at Target. You know that scene...I am older and I have more insurance...ha. I liked her in Titanic, and in the recent Office episodes, but haven't seen some of the other movies you mentioned. The one with her and Jack Nickholson sounds funny...

Cedar said...

I have requested when I die and they make the movie of my life, because of course they will, that Kathy Bates play me.

Mia said...

Kathy Bates is a good example of what's wrong with these entertainment awards. She gets nominated a lot but only has 1 Oscar.

Arthur 2: On the Rocks is an absolutely horrible movie. Every performance is bad except one. Even the great John Gielgud phoned it in. The only actor in that movie who works is Kathy Bates.

Wolynski said...

I've always been a huge Kathy Bates fan. My favorite is "Dolores Claiborne" - "Misery" was so scary.

A.M. said...

Kathy Bates is awesome! I fell in love with her acting after Misery and then Titanic earned her the best actress award - well in my books anyways. She's a true actress and is believable.