MovieChat Forums > The Dollmaker (1984) Discussion > One of the great performances

One of the great performances

posted 9 years ago by DorianGray502
1 reply | jump to latest

___I very happily ran across this fine film on YouTube recently. I had my own copy on VHS, but I have limited ability to watch that old format now. At any rate Jane Fonda gives one of the most haunting, unforgettable performances I have ever seen. I think it far and away greater than her father's similar Grapes of Wrath. The film is perfection in capturing America in those industrial times and how families followed a dream for a better life, only in this case the better life turned out to be quite different than anticipated, and that once widespread dream has turned into a nightmare for Detroit.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend "

[–] PlaintiveMelody (245) 7 years ago

I think Jane Fonda in this role was as every bit as good as Henry Fonda in Grapes of Wrath, but I would not say she was better as Gert than he was as Tom. If nothing else, the scene where Tom tells Ma goodbye is pure perfection, as well as the dance in the camp. Tom Joad dancing with his mother is one of the most tender things I have ever seen on film.

There were a lot of similarities in both stories and actually in both characters. They had a quiet longsuffering that was beautiful and strong. Most people (myself included) would not be that strong under similar circumstances.