MovieChat Forums > The Grifters (1991) Discussion > Very well cast

Very well cast

posted 10 years ago by HarveyManfredSinJohn
5 replies | jump to latest

All three leads were perfect in their respective parts.

I think Cher, who was originally chosen to play Lilly, would have been convincing as streetwise, tough, teenage mother type character but she's not as textured an actress as Huston who was the perfect age to play Cusack's character's mother here and is such a versatile actress who was able to project Lilly's vulnerability and toughness equally well, making her a rather sympathetic character for me.

The baby-faced Cusack was perfect as a slick, crafty but still rather naïve mommy's boy, and Bening oozed both sex appeal and gauche goofiness as Myra (one can see why she was Tim Burton's first choice to play 'Selina Kyle/Catwoman' in 'Batman Returns' on the basis of this performance).

[–] dkgambler 10 years ago

The always great Pat Hingle was perfect in a supporting role.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] SCY385-1 8 years ago

I have always believed that Angelica should have won an Oscar for this role. She was at the top of her game in this movie.

[–] rascal67 8 years ago

Yes, I thought she gave a stronger and more believable performance than Oscar winner Kathy Bates in Misery. Lily was an intriguing character and excellently portrayed by Huston.

I liked Annette Benning, but not John Cusack. Someone like Tom Cruise would have hit the ball out of the park with this role. Matt Dillon, River Phoenix or even Keanu Reeves would have also fared better than Cusack. He is too bland and plain looking for my tastes.

Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪

[–] Nikon11 8 years ago

Cusack was perfect, in my opinion. My only gripe was Huston. I've said before, she didn't look young enough. Not complaining about her actual acting, just don't think that her looks worked here.