Recently, I read the new book X SAVES THE WORLD, about the impact of Generation X. In it, the writer Jeff Gordiner talks about some on the iconic films of the generation. It got me thinking of one of the best depictions of Generation X (after SLACKER) that he didn’t mention, SINGLES.
And that got me thinking about one of its stars, Bridget Fonda.
I decided to look and see what she had been up to lately as I hadn’t seen her a while. I was kind of surprised to see she hasn’t made a movie in over six years!
She can’t be a possible “What Ever Happened To” subject, can she?
My first exposure to Bridget Fonda wasn’t exactly a positive one. It was a quote in I think it was US Magazine back in the 80’s. In talking about her first film role in the opera anthology film ARIA, she described her role as “I get naked, I have sex, and I die”. “What a classy actress” I thought. (Years later, I saw the film and, well, that is the best way to describe it”).
Few saw 1987’s ARIA, but it was the beginning (not counting being in a crowd scene in her dad’s EASY RIDER years before) of what would be a very busy career for a while.
She continued to act very regularly after. Starting in the comedy YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE, a voice in the animated LIGHT YEARS, the controversial SCANDAL, the summer comedy SHAG, STRAPLESS and ROGER CORMAN’S FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND.
There was a role in GODFATHER 3, OUT OF THE RAIN (aka END OF INNOCENCE which is the title I think I saw it as), DOC HOLLYWOOD, IRON MAZE, and LEATHER JACKETS.
1992 was the big year for Bridget. In the summer, there was SINGLE WHITE FEMALE. While she may have been overshadowed by Jennifer Jason Leigh’s bravura performance, she would next star in SINGLES.
Cameron Crowe’s SINGLES was the film that made me a fan, where she played the waitress/ girlfriend of Matt Dillon. Mainly for the scene where she looks into the camera and talks about being 23.
It was at this point that I went back and managed to track down all the films that I listed above. I really can’t think of the early 90’s without thinking of Bridget Fonda.
As the decade went on, the roles got better. While the indie film BODIES REST AND MOTION may have been underwhelming, I did enjoy the LA FEMME NIKITA remake POINT OF NO RETURN more than most. There was Bertolucci’s misfire LITTLE BUDDHA, but then she starred in the sweet Nicolas Cage film IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU.
She kept at it. THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE, CAMILLA, ROUGH MAGIC, the animated BALTO, very good in CITY HALL, GRACE OF MY HEART and TOUCH.
Of the late 90’s, the best of the bunch was Quentin Tarantino’s JACKIE BROWN. That is arguably the best film she has made.
But, things started to slow down, with many films (BREAK UP, FINDING GRACELAND, SOUTH OF HEAVEN WEST OF HELL, DELIVERING MILO) receiving little exposure. While she appeared in the critically acclaimed A SIMPLE PLAN, she also appeared in LAKE PLACID and MONKEYBONE.
In this decade, she appeared on THE CHRIS ISAAK SHOW and her last big film was the Jet Li vehicle KISS OF THE DRAGON. Her last credit was the 2002 TV movie THE SNOW QUEEN.
So, what ever happened to her?
In 2003 Bridget got into a car accident and reportedly injured her back. I don’t know how serious it was and if this is related to the slowdown in her career. But, soon after, she married musician Danny Elfman (of THE SIMPSONS theme). In 2005 they had a child. So, she is now a wife and mom.
I am sure this hiatus is just temporary. There is one unconfirmed report that she was in the running to be one of the stars of the TV series LIPSTICK JUNGLE.
Like I said, I can’t think of the early 90’s without thinking of Bridget Fonda. I hope to see her again.
BRIDGET FONDA ON DVD
BRIDGET FONDA ON BLU-RAY
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: Bridget Fonda
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8 comments:
She married Elfman?
Shit that's cool.
Always liked Fonda. Her Dad is more popular than her right now which is too bad.
Would like to see her back.
I watched A Simple Plan the other night and asked myself the same question you did, what ever happened to Bridget Fonda? Thanks for another insightful article.
For every piece of Hollywood fluff Fonda made for a paycheck, she also worked with some of the best filmmakers of the '90s on their best films: Tarantino, Raimi, Cameron Crowe, Allison Anders.
I also recall reading Fonda was the first choice to play Terry Bradshaw on Sex and the City. I can imagine that series actually being funny and sexy with her in the lead role as opposed to Sarah Jessica Parker.
Joe: Bridget turned down the title role in "Ally McBeal", and an offer to replace Drew Barrymore in "Charlie's Angels 2". Bridget will be in "Lipstick Jungle", (same writer as "Sex in the City"). She was never considered for the role of Carrie Bradshaw: Sarah Jessica Parker was the executive producer of the "Sex..". SJP created "SITC" as a venue for herself to star in.
Bridget married Danny Elfman and lived with Eric Stoltz, and dated (or was a least escorted by) Dwight Yoakam. Maybe looks don't really count with her. Hell, if she dated Doyle from Sling Blade, makes me think I could have a chance...
Just kidding. I'm really a fan of hers and would love to see her back on film or tv.
I always wondered why Bridget never became a bigger star. She had all the right qualities: she was a damn good actress, and of course she is incredibly beautiful (and in the right way; she was beautiful and accessible, in the sense that you could see her as someone an Everyman could end up with, as opposed to so many of the generic hot blondes with surgically altered bodies who populate Hollywood).
As I recall, she also holds the distinction of being the first woman to appear on the cover of GQ. Many have followed, but she was the first.
I just re-watched Singles for the first time in years, and Jim, I'd be interested in your opinion. I do think it is a seminal movie of the 90's, especially since it was released just as grunge and the Seattle sound was breaking. (Credit to Cameron Crowe on that.) But something definitely seemed off in the first half, and it might have been in the casting. While I think Bridget was great in it, I had a hard time believing her as 23 (Janet's age; Bridget was actually 27 or 28 when it was filmed). Also while I think Campbell Scott is great in it, he also seemed too old for his role, which I imagined as 27ish. It might have also been the breaking of the 4th wall, which I don't think worked as well as in movies like Ferris Bueller (different genre though) or High Fidelity.
David, I've purposely not gone back and watched SINGLES for a while. I loved the film when it came out, seeing it opening night and I think again that first weekend. But, watching it since then, I haven't loved it as much.
I decided to just let it go, and remember it as I did.
She is HOTTT! I loved her in Singles and Jackie Brown
You forgot to mention THE ASSASSIN. This would have to be the best movie I have ever seen Bridget Fonda do! This movie got me hooked on her. She is fantastic to watch, always surprising. Yeah, would love to see her come back to the screen.
Luv ya Bridg xxx
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