Susan Sarandon remains interesting in her 70th year, from her footwear choices to becoming a magnet for ageist comments when she dressed sexily at the SAG awards.
Then there her political comments. As a disgruntled Bernie Sanders supporter, she suggested that voting for Donald Trump would bring about the revolution, for which she’s been labeled a privileged fool, with some noting that the rest of us would be screwed if that should happen. Hey, maybe she’s right. And she made it clear that she wouldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton just because she’s a woman.
Here’s the list of films I saw featuring Susan Sarandon. But for everyone listed, there’s another I intended to see: Atlantic City, The Witches of Eastwick, Lorenzo’s Oil, The Great Waldo Pepper, to name a few.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) – I saw this in a theater, but it was at least a half dozen years later. Many folks in the theater had the appropriate gear, which I did not know about until I got there. Sarandon, of course, played Janet. I admit my affection for this movie is tied in part to my love for the song Time Warp; the bass line harmony is right in my range.
Pretty Baby (1978) – Brooke’ Shields’ youthful nudity was so much the issue that I forgot Sarandon was in this.
Bull Durham (1988) – one of my two favorite baseball movies, along with Field of Dreams. She plays Annie Savoy, who knows what she wants in life. I was truly sad that, at the time of the movie’s 15th anniversary in 2003, Sarandon and costar/beau Tim Robbins were invited, then uninvited, to The Baseball Hall of Fame’s celebration of the film, citing Robbins’ opposition to the Iraq war. This despite promises by both Robbins and Sarandon not to politicize the event.
Thelma & Louise (1991) – she was Louise Sawyer, another take-charge character. BTW, I have the soundtrack to this film.
Bob Roberts (1992) – starring Tim Robbins; don’t specifically remember Sarandon
The Client (1994) – saw this on TV; it almost NEVER sticks as much in my mind
Little Women (1944) – a very different role as Mrs. March, but always a strong persona
Dead Man Walking (1995) – my absolutely favorite Sarandon role. Especially Sister Helen Prejean face-to-face with the doomed Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), which was oddly sensual. I was against the death penalty before, but this enforced it. I have THIS soundtrack too.
James and the Giant Peach (1996) – she was the voice of Spider
Stepmom (1998) – “A terminally ill woman (Sarandon) has to settle on her former husband (Ed Harris)’s new lover, who will be their children’s stepmother (Julia Roberts).” This was treacle, saved by its performances, and I totally ate it up. (Oddly enough, see Relatable Breakup Song)
Cradle Will Rock (1999) – a bit preachy, about proletariat artists dealing with capitalists Nelson Rockefeller and William Randolph Hearst
Enchanted (2007) – even in animated form, I knew who was playing the wicked Queen Narissa
Robot & Frank (2012) – I liked this movie with Frank Langella, with Sarandon as a librarian with a job in the near future
Plus I saw her on TV shows such as Friends and 30 Rock.
WAY back in 2009, I put together a list of my 20 favorite actresses, and naturally, she was one. I suspect she was, and is, one of my top five picks.
I’ve always loved Sarandon’s work and I’ve also valued her voice in politics as an advocate for the left, but I do think that this year she has gone off the rails a bit in that regard.