Anna (1987)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Yurek Bogayevicz

Writers:

Yurek Bogayevicz (story)
Agnieszka Holland (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 November 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Lately, she's been contemplating love, exile, murder, and acting.

Plot:

Anna is a middle-aged actress looking for work in New York City, with the help of her sometime lover...

Plot Keywords:

Czechoslovakia | Actress | Aging | Nudity | Bathtub Scene

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Sally Kirkland	...	Anna
Robert Fields	...	Daniel
Paulina Porizkova	...	Krystyna
Gibby Brand	...	Director #1
John Robert Tillotson	...	Director #2
Julianne Gilliam	...	Woman Author
Joe Aufiery	...	Stage Manager
Lance Davis	...	Assistant #1
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Assistant #2
Ruth Maleczech	...	Woman #1 / Woman Named Gloria
Holly Villaire	...	Woman #2 / Woman with Bird
Shirl Bernheim	...	Woman #3 / Woman in White Veil
Renée Coleman	...	Woman #4 / Woman in Bonnet
Gabrielle Made	...	Woman #5 / Woman in Black (as Gabriela Farrar)
Jordana Levine	...	Woman #6 / Woman in Turban

Runtime:

100 min | Argentina:101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Finland:K-8 | Iceland:L | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:16

Company:

Magnus Films

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Simple Life: Almost Fame-Less (#5.9)" (2007)

Former foreign film star finds no luck seeking parts in America.

As an actor who works in film and television, I think Kirkland's performance in "Anna" is one of the greatest ever given by an American actress on screen. Every actor should see it, as well as Kim Stanley's in "The Goddess" and Geraldine Page's in "The Trip to Bountiful".

I also think this film is important in its message to Hollywood - stop putting looks above talent!

This film is a fascinating story, all too true for actresses in the US, especially today. Anna, an enormously talented middle-aged woman, is overlooked, while exceptional opportunities come along for a pretty young girl with little to offer but looks and a perky personality, who just happens to use Anna to get to the top.

The story is supposed to be based on a real person and her experience trying to find work in New York after having been a star in Europe. Kirkland brings this character to life with amazing depth and courage. Although she lost the Oscar that year to the well - deserving Cher for "Moonstruck", I think if more people had seen this film, Kirkland would have walked away with the little gold man that night. I am still inspired by what the film has to say about women in this business who lose opportunities because of ageism. What is it with American producers? I love Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave, but if they were American women, they would never find work! The Hollywood film industry should take a lesson from their European counterparts and use the talented older ladies we have right here!!! Every time Dench or Redgrave make a film, they are nominated or win for it. There are thousands of equally gifted ladies right under our noses in Hollywood who never get a shot at greatness. Sadly, Sally Kirkland just had the one...