The Girl with the Goalden Boot

Saturday, July 17, 2004

 

Topsy-Tierney
Some articles are just so worth sharing...
 
Of the many talented actors and actresses that grace the various forms of entertainment that are present, for many of us, the acting talents of Maura Tierney garner special attention. While I in no way wish to belittle her accomplishments, if I were to ask a few score of people on the street who she was, I would receive only a handful of responses that were aware of her career.
 
Despite being a leading cast member in two nationally popular television programs, she is, unfortunately, rather unknown among the general public. One of the reasons for this may very well be the audiences to whom her two most well known works appeal. NewsRadio and ER both appeal to the more well-versed and intelligent audiences. One episode of NewsRadio contained a running joke between Lisa and Dave that paralleled their lives to those of the Rosenberg’s. Anthony Edward's final episode of ER was entitled, 'On the Beach', making a brilliant allusion to the Nevil Shute novel of the same name. Although the aforementioned programs are by no means Kundera or Persig, they do appeal to a different crowd than Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place or any one of the numerous television programs that make suicide seem appealing.
 
None the less, Ms. Tierney remains one of the most talents actresses of our era. Regardless of the role, she continually delivers extremely believable characters. For many acting professionals divorcing oneself from the character is extremely difficult. I do not wish to point out the shortcomings of others, but Chris Rock, regardless of his role, is always Chris Rock, just as John Wayne was always "The Duke". Ms. Tierney, however, seems to always rise above this common pitfall that plagues many actors (actresses). She seamlessly transitions from the smart, motivated, math-wizard Lisa to the alcoholic, masochistic, Madeline, to the alcoholic, self-deprecating, Abby. I have viewed almost all of her post-NewsRadio work, and I have yet to see her give an unconvincing performance.
 
Even though her characters are all unique and dynamic, they do share some commonalities. Maura Tierney somehow uses every fiber of her being to convey emotion. Her skill and grace combine in such a way to effortless surpass her brethren's talents. Its something you just can't put your finger on, but know is there. She has flair, a certain panache that creates memorable, well-defined characters. This intangible quality she possesses seems to radiate from her characters upon the screen.
 
If I were to have to describe her to a colleague in one word it would be radiant. (If I were allowed an alliterative adverb, it would be ridiculously radiant) When Maura smiles, be it as Abby, Lyn, Pat, Lisa, Madeline, or the numerous other roles that she has played over the years, one finds it difficult not to be moved or even smile back. One empathizes completely with her, feeling exuberant when the MacBeth's rise to power or feeling sorrow when she is forced to rescue her manic-depressive mother from a hotel in the heartland or from stealing from a department store. Her problems become our problems, and her joys become our joys.
 
Perhaps the reason that one empathizes so well with Ms. Tierney is because she is wholesome. Her characters are real people. We can identify with her because we have faced similar difficulties and shared in similar triumphs. Maura is the kind of person who could live right up the street from you, or be standing in front of you in line at Starbucks.
Despite her talent, a smile that can make you forget whatever is troubling, and her ethos, she still lacks recognition with the masses. Fortunately, with her recent role in Insomnia starring Robin Williams and Al Pacino, (as a sidebar, watching this film I realized that Al Pacino is going to die. Not that I assumed he was immortal, but one can see the weight of age bearing down upon him.) and her upcoming starring role in a film based on Arthur Nersesian's book, Dogrun, will allow more people to view one of the most truly gifted actresses I have ever seen. But I would like to think that Ms. Tierney is happy with her station-staying true to herself and her work while consistently entertaining loyal fans.
 
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Singapore update
 
Ok, here I am still in SG, and for the record, I went to Orchard 5 days in a row. Hehe... Some may think I'm mad (correction: most do think I'm mad), but surely you must understand that Sydney lacks beautiful department stores and boutiques of designer labels and Flowers in the Attic!
 
It's been fun getting to know Eunice and Catherine (pronounced kat-threen instead of the usual kat-thrin). Sometimes speaking the same language with the same accent do bring people together. And of course, coming from the same situation definitely brings people together. I know and we all know that it's nobody's fault that Kit is busy shooting her art show and can't meet up with us. However, it is only natural that we are disappointed. We've come all the way (HK and Aust.)...spent thousands of dollars, minutes and miles to come to SG with the hope of meeting someone special in our lives we seldom get the opportunity to see in the flesh. And then come the comforting messages from various local fans, but you know what, you will never understand how we feel until to come to the "inside" of our situation, which can never happen. It's like bipolar disease (a mental illness)... family members and carers give sympathethy, but they will always be the "outsiders", never able to enter the minds of those who are bipolar, and never able to fully understand the difficulty with dealing with manic depression, having to take Depakote, and other effects of bipolar disease.
 
Who cares. Retail therapy is readily available. LOL. Kit isn't everything - far from it. Don't get me wrong, I still love her, and she is one of the sweetest people I know. It's just, you know, no one is more important than your parents, siblings and real-life buddies...etc. you know, Kit shouldn't be no. 1 on your list unless you're her parents, her sisters, her sec school buddies, or Uncle. Many people are surprised how unaffected I am that I'm not gonna meet Kit this time. I'm glad I've been thinking things through, and am finally getting my priorities in life correct. Get what I mean? I have finally found myself. 

Lola Nadal 1:05 AM