As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for true crime narratives and a soft spot for Anna Kendrick‘s acting prowess, I must admit that “Woman of the Hour” piqued my interest from the moment I first heard about it. The fact that it is based on a true story and stars the talented Daniel Zovatto as infamous serial killer Rodney Alcala only added to the intrigue.
In her own words, Anna Kendrick acknowledges Russell Crowe’s role in getting Daniel Zovatto for her first directorial project, “Station Eleven”. This gripping drama made its debut on Netflix on October 18, with Zavatto portraying infamous serial killer Rodney Alcala. In real life, Alcala was a convicted murderer and sex offender who appeared on the show “The Dating Game” in 1978 as Bachelor #3. The story delves into how Alcala managed to amass victims while eluding capture during his nationwide killing spree.
In a fresh chat with Entertainment Weekly, Kendrick shared that Zavatto was her preferred pick for the part. However, she had to persuade him to take up the role. Fortunately, when he spoke about the project to Russell Crowe, the renowned actor advocated for Kendrick, as she disclosed.
He was off shooting a movie, which made it difficult for us to communicate. In fact, we didn’t get in touch until much later. It seems he was working with Russell Crowe during that time and mentioned my opportunity to him. Apparently, Russell Crowe responded positively, saying something like ‘I think I really like her. You should go for it.’ So, I owe Russell Crowe the biggest fruit basket imaginable.
As Zovatto recounts, while they were filming Pope’s Exorcist in Ireland, Crowe urged him to try out for Kendrick’s movie. In a casual conversation, he recalled saying, “You’re going to get this role, Danny.” To which he responded, “Okay, mate, I’ll give it a shot.” Later, after meeting with the highly acclaimed actress, Zovatto was won over by her infectious enthusiasm and deep understanding of the story, prompting him to eagerly sign up for the project. He described Kendrick’s passion during their meeting as so compelling that he couldn’t help but want the role, expressing, “I saw her dedication in how she spoke about it, and I thought, man, I really need this part.
Woman of the Hour Is Based On a True Story
In “Woman of the Hour”, Kendrick portrays Cheryl Bradshaw, who in 1978 picked Rodney Alcala as her date on a dating show without realizing he was a serial killer. Fortunately, she escaped their encounter unharmed, and he was later convicted for murdering six women and a girl in the 1970s, although it’s believed that he may have killed over 100 people. The movie delves into Alcala’s crimes, focusing on several of his victims. Kendrick felt confident that Zovatto would deliver an outstanding performance in this role after watching him as the Prophet on HBO’s “Station Eleven”, stating to EW:
If Danny isn’t around, I believe the movie doesn’t work for me. Although he may not be the main focus, his acting needs to be flawless. A single mistake could ruin the entire production.
The Woman of the Hour leaps through different time periods to illustrate multiple murder cases associated with Alcala, starting from the 1977 murder of a pregnant woman in Wyoming. Bradshaw’s journey in Hollywood and her stint on the show The Dating Game serve as the main focus of the storyline, frequently revisited throughout the movie. Additionally, the narrative explores Alcala’s life following the program, where he meets a runaway teenager named Amy in San Gabriel, California. This case is regularly featured as a subplot within the film’s plotline, according to Netflix’s Tudum.
Alcala passed away in 2021 at the age of 77 due to natural causes while on death row. He was under suspicion for multiple murders across California, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, and Arizona, as stated by the CDCR. In an interview with TODAY.com, Kendrick shared her hope that the film she made would convey the frustration she felt upon learning he repeatedly managed to escape the justice system. “It infuriates me at times… I wanted to portray that feeling of disbelief, ‘I can’t believe he keeps getting away with this. I can’t believe nobody’s even looking for him,'” she explained.
Besides Kendrick and Zovatto, the cast of “Woman of the Hour” also features Tony Hale, recognized from shows like “Veep” and “Arrested Development”, Nicolette Robinson from “The Affair”, Autumn Best known for her role in “4400”, Kathryn Gallagher who recently appeared on HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl”, Kelley Jakle famous for her work in “Pitch Perfect”, and Pete Holmes, well-known for his work on “Crashing”. The movie is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-19 21:33