Summary
- Donald Sutherland shined in Canadian cinema during the ’70s and ’80s.
- Nothing Personal
showcases a mismatched pairing with Suzanne Somers in a film that fails to captivate audiences. - Sutherland’s talent shines despite the lackluster material, proving that even great actors can’t save bad films.
As a film enthusiast with decades of cinematic exploration under my belt, I must say that the pairing of Suzanne Somers and Donald Sutherland in “Nothing Personal” is undeniably one of the most peculiar collaborations I’ve ever come across. While Sutherland brings his usual charm and gravitas to the screen, it’s Somers who truly shines in this unlikely duo, embodying a Harvard-educated environmental lawyer with charisma and energy that outshines her co-star.
Following his successful portrayal of combat surgeon Hawkeye Pierce in the iconic 1970s black comedy war film M*A*S*H, Donald Sutherland consistently supported Canada’s film industry, becoming a significant figure during the ’70s and most of the ’80s. As a leading Canadian-born actor in Hollywood, he significantly contributed to the industry. Sutherland frequently prioritized Canadian cinema, sometimes to an excessive degree. One of his finest Canadian productions is the 1981 medical drama Threshold, where Sutherland delivers a powerful performance as a skilled heart surgeon conducting the first-ever artificial heart transplant on a human patient.
Amongst his Canadian productions, and arguably his entire career, the most disappointing is the 1980 romantic comedy titled “Nothing Personal”. In this movie, Sutherland portrays a disillusioned university law professor who teams up with an environmental lawyer (played by Suzanne Somers) to halt the killing of baby seals in Alaska. This film is characterized by being dull, poorly structured, overly dramatic, and lacking authenticity. “Nothing Personal” falls into the category of films that attempt to address multiple topics as a means to mask the fact that they fail to convey any significant message.
In addition to its campaign for baby seal preservation, this plot encompasses car chases, disputes over indigenous rights, emotional turmoil, political conspiracies, romantic entanglements, and elements reminiscent of daytime dramas. However, beneath the film’s surface lies a more subtle intention: to showcase the attractive Somers in numerous sensual scenarios with Sutherland, who despite being only a decade older than Somers, exudes an aura of paternal authority.
For Sutherland, “Nothing Personal” stands out as a fascinating work from an era where he delivered some of his finest performances. This movie underscores the fact that even exceptional actors are entirely reliant on high-quality material, as demonstrated by Sutherland’s Academy Award-worthy portrayal in the 1980 drama film “Ordinary People,” which was filmed immediately after “Nothing Personal.”
Donald Sutherland and Suzanne Somers Made an Unlikely Pairing
Among Donald Sutherland’s most iconic on-screen partnerships with actresses, you might recall Brooke Adams in “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” Julie Christie in “Don’t Look Now,” Jane Fonda in “Klute,” Kate Nelligan in “Eye of the Needle,” and Mary Tyler Moore in “Ordinary People.” Interestingly, Suzanne Somers, his co-star in “Nothing Personal,” stands out as an uncommon collaboration in Sutherland’s acting career.
In the movie “Nothing Personal,” Sutherland, who boasts a distinguished collection of film accomplishments, took part. On the other hand, Somers, who shared screen time with Ian McShane in the little-known 1979 British soccer drama “Yesterday’s Hero,” was primarily recognized by viewers for her role as the cheerful blonde Chrissy Snow on the popular ABC sitcom “Three’s Company.” This sitcom had concluded its third season when filming for “Nothing Personal” began in June 1979.
In contrast to the unexpected pairing, Somers exudes charisma and vitality throughout the film “Nothing Personal”. Here, Somers portrays Abigail Adams, a Harvard-educated environmental attorney who joins forces with Sutherland’s character, Roger Keller, a law professor, to safeguard an endangered seal colony from being destroyed for the construction of a U.S military base in Alaska. Needless to say, a romantic relationship develops between the lawyer and the professor.
As a movie critic, I found myself drawn more towards the captivating presence of Meryl Streep (Somers) in “Nothing Personal,” despite the fact that costar Kiefer Sutherland seemed uncomfortable and awkward during romantic scenes with her. His apparent disinterest in the film was mirrored by Streep herself, who revealed in her autobiography that Sutherland essentially took over the direction of “Nothing Personal” when it became clear that the film’s credited director, George Bloomfield, wasn’t equipped for the challenging role.
Nothing Personal Marked the Beginning and End of Somers’ Film Career
Suzanne Somers achieved a form of timeless fame in cinema due to her captivating portrayal of the mysterious blonde who cruises around in a white Thunderbird, leaving an indelible mark on a young boy’s mind in the hit 1973 movie American Graffiti. Unfortunately, the film Nothing Personal, where Somers hoped to kickstart her film career, turned out to be a poor choice. The movie’s disappointing reception not only hindered its success but also put an end to Somers’ aspirations for leading roles in feature films.
In the scorching summer of ’80, as the fifth season of “Three’s Company” was gearing up for production, I found myself at the center of a whirlwind in my career. Having pocketed $30,000 per episode thus far, I audaciously asked for a significant raise to $150,000 and a piece of the show’s profits. This bold request led to an intense negotiation that ultimately resulted in my screen time being diminished to brief appearances. By the end of the season, my cherished character, Chrissy Snow, was replaced by her cousin, Cindy Snow, portrayed by Jenilee Harrison, marking a gradual departure for me from the show.
Despite the perception created by roles like ‘Nothing Personal’ and ‘Three’s Company,’ which may have typecast Somers as a stereotypical dumb blonde, her true talent was more versatile. To truly showcase her abilities beyond this persona, she needed a role that combined her sex appeal, warmth, and the intelligence that propelled her to build an infomercial empire in the 1990s. This would have allowed her to demonstrate the full range of her talents.
Sutherland Was Too Good for Nothing Personal
During Donald Sutherland’s illustrious acting journey, the movie “Nothing Personal” remains virtually unknown, overshadowed by the lasting impact of numerous iconic roles he played throughout his career. Although “Nothing Personal” is not the only poorly executed film in which Sutherland participated, it stands out as one that failed to acknowledge and utilize his unique talents as an actor to a greater extent than any other production, whether filmed in or outside Canada.
As tributes poured in following Sutherland’s death at 88, a gradual recognition emerged that his career left us with numerous intriguing and impactful films that failed to garner the praise they truly deserved during his lifetime, such as “Eye of the Needle” and “Threshold”. However, it is undeniable that no Sutherland film deserves to be erased from memory more than “Nothing Personal”. You can catch this particular movie on MGM+ if you wish.
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2024-08-10 04:01