SEARCHING FOR DEBRA WINGER
US, 2002, 108 minutes, Colour.
Interviews with: Patricia Arquette, Emmanuelle Beart, Katrin Cartlidge, Laura Dern, Roger Ebert, Jane Fonda, Terri Garr, Whoopi Goldberg, Melanie Griffith, Daryl Hannah, Salma Hayek, Holly Hunter, Diane Lane, Kelly Lynch, Frances Mc Dormand, Giuliana Margolese, Chiara Mastroianni, Samantha Mathis, Catherine O'Hara, Julia Ormond, Gwyneth Paltrow, Martha Plympton, Charlotte Rampling, Vanessa Redgrave, Teresa Russell, Meg Ryan, Ally Sheedy, Adrienne Shelley, Hilary Shepherd - Turner, Sharon Stone, Tracy Ullman, Jo Beth Williams, Debra Winger, Alfie Woodard, Robyn Wright-Penn?.
Directed by Rosanna Arquette.
Rosanna Arquette's documentary was filmed over a period of ten months with 150 hours' interviews with celebrated actresses. The edited film gives insight into the question of how a movie star is able to combine career with family life and, especially, children. What instigated the film was Debra Winger's retirement from the movie industry in her late thirties. During the film Debra Winger gives interviews explaining her experience of Hollywood, the attitudes of the male producers, the objectivising of women, the sexual innuendo and explicit advances, the difficulties of being with family.
The point is easily made and audiences will agree with it. What is interesting is listening to the range of personalities, some very well known, reflecting on their own experiences, the mistakes that they made, the achievements. Of particular interest are comments by Jane Fonda and a great deal of humour in typical fashion by Whoopi Goldberg.
The film gives an insight into most of the people who are interviewed. In interviews or around meal tables, they are very forthright and their comments make up a mosaic of an issue of the late 20th century, the comparison between how male actors and females are able to cope within the movie profession and their desires to be with their families. This is highlighted as the stars reach the age of forty, where superficial beauty is disappearing and they have to rely on themselves and their inner beauty and strength.
