Gadon shines in ‘Alias Grace’; more on Hollywood’s sex scandals
Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood has never been without an following, but her fame, stock, and popularity have risen since Hulu’s award-winning multi-part series and expansion of her best known work, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Atwood’s book, and a movie and plays that have been derived from it, have been contained within the confines of the author’s story. Hulu went further in augmenting the book. It will continue to explore the journey of the handmaid, Offred, when Season 2 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” begins in 2018. No start date has been given, but industry buzz says to look for a new “Handmaids” in April.
Currently, another of Atwood’s novels, “Alias Grace,” about a famous Canadian murder trial from the 19th century, is being dramatized on Netflix. It is worth the binging. Because of its strong story and because of the ironies Atwood builds in and filmmaker Mary Harron and screenwriter Sarah Polley (who I saw act on Canadian stages when she was a child) realize with a suspense that becomes clarity.
A murder story is examined. Many think Grace Marks, in prison after being convicted of killing two people, should be freed because she allegedly acted under the influence of someone she worked with and who was later hanged for the offense a court judged they committed together.
The murder story, and the look Atwood, Harron, and Polley give of an Irish servant’s life in nascent Canada, are interesting in and of themselves. What sets “Alias Grace” above other murder yarns is the character of Grace Marks as enacted by Sarah Gadon.
One words that follows Grace is “ignorant.” Her speech and circumstances within the prison in which she’s kept argue the opposite. Grace is privileged. She is allowed to leave her cell and do housework in the governor’s home, where she gains favor with his wife and family. More than that, Gadon portrays Grace as being quite articulate, not only well-spoken but witty and canny when it comes to knowing when someone asking her questions is fishing for a specific, incriminating or just cliched answer. We know what Grace is thinking because almost all scenes begin or end with her talking directly to us about them in a way she does not reveal to others.
The people who want to free Grace hire an American psychologist to examine her and determine her culpability in the dual murders that became known throughout Canada. It is during these sessions we become attracted to Grace, as the psychologist, played by Edward Holcroft, also does.
Gadon, speaking in a lilt that says she’s Irish but has been away from Ireland long enough for her accent to soften, captivates with her clear-eyed, nononsense approach to the role. Her Grace has great character and strength. She also hints that she may be the kind of woman whose temper or sense of injustice can drive her to kill. “Injustice” here doesn’t mean her verdict. It refers to reactions Grace has to people who mistreat others or lie.
The best, most awaited scenes in “Alias Grace” are the interviews with the psychologist. Other sequences are more active, and mystery thrives within them, but it is hearing Grace coolly put her thoughts and descriptions in words, and her verbal parrying with the psychology, that grab us.
Atwood’s latest novel “HagSeed,” was recently issued in paperback. I expect a copy will be in my possession before the week is out.
Halladay Tribute
On the evening following the sad death of Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays pitching ace, Roy Halladay, in an airplane crash, NBC Sports Philadelphia paid the classiest of tributes to the fallen hero by airing Mr. Halladay’s perfect game from May 2010 vs. the Florida Marlins. Perfect programming! While speaking about NBC Sports Philadelphia, the station released its college basketball schedule from now to March. It includes 33 NCAA games featuring local teams, including tonight’s 7 p.m. contest between La Salle and Penn and an 8 p.m. match, on NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, pitting St. Joseph’s against the University of Illinois-Chicago.
The fall of Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. is the latest to lose network ties for admitting sexual misconduct.
I repeat and will keep repeating my stand that harassment cannot be condoned – and don’t think for a minute TV execs would care if advertisers’ backlash and possible “know should have known” lawsuits were not involved – but decision makers need to look at the degree of alleged or confessed transgressions and not scuttle every career to appear brave and pro-active. Everything going on now went on under every studio’s or nose for years. That doesn’t make it right, but it does reduce the shock value and show that moralistic fashion is taking precedence, as it usually does, over perspective and proportion.
While discussing this with “That’s Show Biz” with host Chuck Darrow last week – “That’s Show Biz” is heard 3 p.m. Tuesdays on WWDB (880 AM) – Darrow said a Hollywood producer he knows reports the spate of accusations and admissions is paralyzing the industry.
A good look at tawdry practices is warranted, but common sense must also prevail. My worry is a talent glut. I believe talent always finds an outlet. I would watch a Louis C.K. program because his track record as an entertainer is excellent. I will see Kevin Spacey’s new movie for the same reason. Call me what you want, but I don’t care enough about the exploits of most individuals to ignore work I might find funny or well-acted.
Think that lets “offenders” off too easy? In a different climate, Roman Polanski was given an Oscar in 2002, years after fleeing the U.S. to escape facing a sentence for having relations with a 13-year-old. The politics of Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, Mark Rylance, and Danny Glover might at times appall me, but I wouldn’t give up their movies or call for end to their careers because of it. They’re entitled to think what they like, and I’m entitled to see what I wish.
Hollywood already knows it has to be as vigilant as other employers. It knows it has to tamp down, fix, and heal. But the contract burning and show cancellations have to go. Or at least become judicious.
I realize this is the second week in a row I’ve broached this subject, but I think a call for looking at the entire picture warrants that. Someone has to say every case is not alike, all incidents are not equally egregious, and that some judgment has to be exercised rather than tarring all whose names are mentioned with the same brush.
Hollywood, of all places, should know there’s a word for that – McCarthyism.
Boss at Channel 3
The person who has been running the show as news director at Channel 3 since Margaret Cronan left the position in July has been officially given Cronan’s old job.
John Wilson, assistant news director for Channels 3 and 57 since 2009, was elevated to the top news job last week. It earns him the title of vice president in addition to news director.
Wilson has been with the local CBS-owned stations since 2003. While announcing Wilson’s promotion, Channel 3 General Manager Brien Kennedy cited Wilson’s participation in the changes and other developments at “Eyewitness News.” Kennedy particularly emphasized Wilson’s role in the regular growth Channel 3’s morning and late newscasts have garnered in recent years.
Wilson, the chief strategist of Channel 3 and 57 coverage of both the 2015 Papal visit and the 2016 Democrat National Convention, came to Channel 3 from Orlando, where he had been a news producer and newscast developer. Previous markets include Seattle, Knoxville, Jackson, Miss., and Corpus Christi, Texas where Wilson began his career as a reporter. He holds a B.S. degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University from which he was graduated summa cum lauda.
Wilson resides in Cherry Hill, N.J. He and his wife have two daughters.