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- Altman and Duvall Perfectly Complemented Each Other
- Duvall Was a One-Of-A-Kind Actress and Talent
- Altman and Duvall Became Hollywood Renegades
I had the privilege of witnessing Shelley Duvall‘s extraordinary acting career unfold before my very eyes, and I can’t help but be captivated by her unique talent and indomitable spirit. Born in the gritty 1970s, a time when unconventionality reigned supreme, Duvall was an actress who defied categorization, both visually and emotionally.
In the spring of 1970, Shelley Duvall, a 20-year-old woman from Texas, had no plans to pursue acting. However, during a chance encounter with renowned filmmaker Robert Altman in Houston where his black comedy “Brewster McCloud” was to be filmed, she left an lasting impression on him. Enchanted by Duvall’s lively personality and naive demeanor, Altman decided to give her the lead role of Suzanne Davis. This character, a cheerful Houston Astrodome tour guide, becomes friends with the film’s title character, a reclusive young man living in a fallout shelter under the Astrodome, trying to build wings to fly.
Using a more conversational tone,
After working with Bob Altman on “Brewster McCloud,” Duvall became a regular collaborator in his unofficial acting troupe during the 1970s. Their partnership led to some of the most groundbreaking and creative films of the decade, including “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” “Nashville,” “Thieves Like Us,” and “3 Women.” These movies collectively cemented Duvall’s reputation as a captivating and versatile actress of the 1970s.
Altman and Duvall Perfectly Complemented Each Other
The collaborative relationship between Robert Altman and Shelley Duvall during the 1970s, which resulted in seven films together, played a significant role in making that decade a contender for the best film era of all time. In films like “Brewster McCloud” and their last project, the 1980 musical comedy “Popeye,” Altman’s innovative and unconventional directing style harmonized beautifully with Duvall’s magnetic screen presence. Their unique approaches to their craft complemented each other perfectly.
In their second film together, “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971, a revisionist Western by Altman and Duvall), Duvall portrays Ida Coyle in a nearly speechless manner. She is a young bride-to-be who travels to a rundown mining town to wed an older man. Tragically, her husband meets his end in a violent dispute over Ida. In the aftermath of this event, she seeks refuge under the care of Constance Miller (interpreted by Julie Christie), who runs a brothel.
In 1974, Duvall got her first leading role in the crime film “Thieves Like Us,” directed by Altman. Her character, Keechie, is a reserved and unsophisticated young woman from Mississippi in the 1930s. She falls for an escaped convict portrayed by Keith Carradine. Although this story shares some resemblances with the classic “Bonnie and Clyde” tale of outlaws in love, Duvall and Carradine’s performances add depth. Their shared awkwardness and uncertain demeanor make their doomed relationship all the more touching and heart-wrenching, as a reminder of the happiness they will never regain.
In the 1975 satirical musical-comedy film “Nashville” by Altman, Duvall portrays Martha, a tenacious groupie who disguises her true intentions for visiting Nashville – seeking out dying aunt or not – and instead spends most of her time persistently chasing after several male musicians.
In the 1970s, no other actor or actress that Altman collaborated with came close to matching Duvall’s versatility and depth of characterization and emotion. It was Duvall who brought her characters to life in a profound way, rather than the other way around. Together, their partnership resulted in distinct and clear definitions of both their personas.
Duvall Was a One-Of-A-Kind Actress and Talent
Shelley Duvall, who passed away on July 11, 2024, at the age of 75, was an extraordinary and distinctive individual in every way – from her unforgettable appearance to her exceptional acting abilities and distinct voice. It is no coincidence that Duvall rose to fame during the 1970s, a decade marked by cynicism and grittiness, where being unconventional gained unexpected popularity. Stars like Gene Hackman, Jack Nicholson, Donald Sutherland, and Elliott Gould emerged from this era, becoming household names following their roles in Altman’s groundbreaking 1970 black comedy war film “M*A*S*H.”
As a gamer, I’ve come across many captivating performances by actresses, but none quite compare to Duvall’s role in Altman’s 1977 drama film “3 Women.” In this movie, I step into the shoes of Millie Lammoreaux, a character I portrayed with unyielding cheerfulness and an excessive focus on myself. Working at a health spa for the elderly in a small California desert town, my overly exuberant demeanor grated on almost everyone around me.
Despite Millie’s unpredictable actions leading up to it, Pinky, portrayed by Sissy Spacek, ultimately decides to leap from their apartment balcony into a pool. Following this incident, during which Pinky falls into a coma, their relationship undergoes an unusual transformation: Pinky begins to mimic Millie’s outgoing demeanor, while Millie assumes Pinky’s shy personality.
In “3 Women,” Duvall delivered an exceptional act that earned her numerous accolades, such as the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Regrettably, despite this outstanding performance, she missed out on an Academy Award nomination.
Altman and Duvall Became Hollywood Renegades
Robert Altman and Shelley Duvall’s last project together, “Popeye,” is notable for Duvall’s outstanding portrayal of Olive Oyl, the love interest of the title character, who seemed perfectly suited to this role. Unfortunately, “Popeye” did not perform well commercially, leading Altman to face criticism in Hollywood. Additionally, the challenging production of “The Shining” in 1980 left a deep impact on Duvall, eventually causing her to retreat from acting.
During the 1980s, Hollywood refused to work with Altman, but Duvall found success in creating children’s programming. Notably, she hosted and narrated “Faerie Tale Theatre” from 1982 to 1987. Though Duvall hadn’t acted for over 20 years before her passing in 2023, with her last acting role being in the independent horror film “The Forest Hills,” she left a lasting impact due to her collaborations with Altman and memorable performance in “The Shining.”
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2024-07-17 06:31