Sophisticated Samuel L. Jackson

 He is definitely one of the most internationally famous movie stars working today. In his films and his TV commercials, he's always a presence who gets your attention. In fact, there are roles that are so in-your-face, often with some foul language due to the intense drama of the moment, that they become Samuel L. Jackson roles. They could be like his bad guy, Oscar-nominated performance in 1994's PULP FICTION or his stressed-out hero performance in the brilliantly bad 2006 release, SNAKES ON A PLANE.

Rare is the Samuel L. Jackson film role that one can describe as "subtle," but he is a skilled actor who can deliver a subtle and sophisticated performance when needed. Proof of that is in the 2010 movie written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia. It's a story set in Southern California called MOTHER AND CHILD. This was not a widely seen independent film when it was released even though it boasted a cast of truly fine actors. Nevertheless, it is a dramatic film folks should see it they want to witness the versatility of Samuel L. Jackson. Here's a trailer for the film.

Listen to this short podcast review I did of MOTHER AND CHILD. Actress Annette Bening co-starred in the film. I taped this review soon after Bening received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, released in the U.S. the same year as MOTHER AND CHILD. Click on the link below to play my short podcast review. 👇

bobbyrivers.podomatic.com/entry/2011-02-07T08_44_14-08_00.

Here's a MOTHER AND CHILD clip with the sophisticated Samuel L. Jackson.

A drama about three women and a child given up for adoption. If a revival theater was booking MOTHER AND CHILD for a few days and wanted a classic film for a double bill, I would recommend the 1950 Warner Bros. melodrama, THREE SECRETS. The top local news story is a little boy who survived a plane crash in the California mountains. Three women gather at the site awaiting the boy's rescue. Each women thinks he could be the boy she gave up for adoption. His foster parents didn't survive the crash. News reported that the boy was adopted. The acting of the three women really carries this movie. The stars are Eleanor Parker, Patricia Neal and Ruth Roman. Here's a montage clip.

THREE SECRETS was directed by Robert Wise. Yes, the same man who directed THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, the original WEST SIDE STORY and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.