THE PLOT THUS FAR
Gloria
(1980) – Color – Rated PG
Starring: Gena Rowlands, Buck Henry, Julie Carmen
Director John Cassavetes, known for his unique approach to filmmaking, creates a powerful, tension-filled story. An accountant (Buck Henry) is in possession of a ledger which could put a number of mob bosses behind bars for a long time. Before he is killed, however, he manages to entrust the ledger and his son to a neighbor, Gloria, for protection. Gloria reluctantly takes the kid on the run while keeping the mob at bay, sometimes at the point of a gun. Finally, tired of running, she decides to confront them head on!
Gloria
(1999) – Color – Rated R
Starring George C. Scott, Sharon Stone, Cathy Moriarty, Bonnie Bedelia
Academy® Award nominee Sharon Stone (Best Supporting Actress, Casino, 1995) stars as a mobster’s tough ex-mistress who befriends a boy left orphaned by a murderous gunman. Now they’re both running for their lives and right into each other’s arms.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Gloria” has been filmed twice by two amazing directors. However, only one director got what it took to mine a story that didn’t feel like a dead-witted repeat. Gena Rowlands was an Oscar nominee for her role in the original, while the remake felt like a film for women of a certain age. What did Cassavettes mine out of the story that seemed to elude Lumet? It’s not like that much changed over the 19 year difference between films. Oh well, it just confuses the hell out of me.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is on par with the past DVD releases. The transfer isn’t amazing, but it works. The same goes for the Dolby audio track. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious. But, I’d love to see SONY and Touchstone let Mill Creek do Blu-Ray releases for these sets. This is such a great concept not to be in HD.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!