Attacked by a masked assailant, Marjorie (Farrah Fawcett) lives in mortal fear that the unidentified man will strike again -- especially since he knows her address. Sure enough, Joe the attacker (James Russo) breaks into Marjorie's home and subjects her to a night of terror and sexual humiliation. But Marjorie manages to turns the tables on her attacker, knocking him unconscious and rendering him helpless. The remainder of the story charts Marjorie's battle with herself: should she turn Joe over to the authorities, who may very well set him free, or should she mete out her own punishment? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie ... Read more Attacked by a masked assailant, Marjorie (Farrah Fawcett) lives in mortal fear that the unidentified man will strike again -- especially since he knows her address. Sure enough, Joe the attacker (James Russo) breaks into Marjorie's home and subjects her to a night of terror and sexual humiliation. But Marjorie manages to turns the tables on her attacker, knocking him unconscious and rendering him helpless. The remainder of the story charts Marjorie's battle with herself: should she turn Joe over to the authorities, who may very well set him free, or should she mete out her own punishment? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Small Sacrifices | Drama, 2hrs 39min, 1989,
Based on the factual book by Ann Rule, Small Sacrifices was original telecast in two parts. Farrah Fawcett continues to successfully obliterate the Charlie's Angels onus in the role of real-life US postal worker Diane Downs. Part One of the film was set in Willamete Valley, Oregon, in 1983. Mrs. Downs drives her three children to the local hospital's emergency entrance: one child is already dead, and the other two have been seriously wounded. Diane claims that the killer was a man who'd tried to steal her car. But in Part Two, prosecutor John Shea rips apart Diane's story in court. What comes to surface is a tawdry tale of a neurotic, narcissistic woman who is pushed over the edge when spurned by her lover (played by Ms. Fawcett's offscreen companion Ryan O'Neal). As difficult as Small Sacrifices was to watch during its initial telecast in November 1989, it has since been rendered doubly disturbing by the more recent tragic events surrounding South Carolina housewife Susan Smith. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Farrah gives a frightening performance of a mother without any maternal instincts. Her love for O’Neal drives her to attempt the murder of her children. This is a chilling film in which Fawcett again proves that she is an actress that has depth beyond the expectations and summations of critics. Her artistry leaps out you, from the quiet moments when she radiates without even speaking her contempt while in court. I can’t listen to Duran Duran’s Hungry Like A Wolf without thinking of this film and the monster (in real life) that it is based upon.
Between Two Women | Drama, 1hr 35min, 1986 | Farrah Fawcett, Colleen Dewhurst, Michael Nouri
Farrah Fawcett and Colleen Dewhurst star as, respectively, a domineering ex-opera star and a shy schoolteacher. The ads for the film suggested that Michael Nouri plays Dewhurst's son, incurring his mother's wrath when he marries Fawcett. Dewhurst's unwarranted interference destroy her son's marriage--but it is Fawcett who compassionately rushes to her mother-in-law's bedside when the older woman suffers a debilitating stroke. First telecast March 10, 1986, Between Two Women was based on Gillian Martin's novel Living Arrows. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Between Two Women is one of my favorite Fawcett performances. She starts the film as a young woman in love with an artist played by Nouri. From the first meeting with Dewhurst, Fawcett finds herself in a battle that baffles her throughout their years together. This film is strong on so many levels. First the relationship played out between Dewhurst and Fawcett is as real as any you may find in any home. It is a strong and moving film which lets Fawcett play and emote every range of emotion from complete frustration to compassionate care giver.
Over the years I have been asked many times why I am a fan. The obvious and superficial is usual suspect for the reasoning. I believe it is more than that. I feel like, here is someone who overcame, probably, everyone telling them what they should be doing or what they could or could not do and decided, on their own, to do what they thought was best for them and in their own best interest. I think there is an underlying strength to her, her character and charm. I think she is a very strong woman and holds very strong convictions. As I do not know her this is all conjecture, but as an artist and actor/actress I have nothing but respect for her and her work.
I don’t think anyone could weather the side by side photo comparison of yourself at a young age compared to a now image. Everyone ages. Even Icons. If everyone was evaluated solely on the package and veneer then our celebrities and public figures would disappear after they turned thirty. Much like Logan’s Run. Some of my favorites movies are listed above.
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If you have been keeping up with Farrah and all the news that has been circulating about her, and I use the term “news” loosely, as most of what was being put out in the media was not via Fawcett or her representatives. Clearly the moral and ethical issue of what is profitable and what is right is really, apparent. Fawcett not only has had to battle cancer she has had to battle a medium (all of the technology that we take for granted and enjoy) but it has robbed her of her dignity. Her ability to choose to whom she shares her medical information with. She was robbed of her choice to disclose to her family and friends in order to expose those extracting medical data (for profit). It’s unconscionable what people have done and do to make a dollar. Celebrity doesn’t mean anyone other than the individual seated in front of their physician has any right to that information. Conjecture and rumors are just as bad. How many battles must one person fight when they are fighting for their very life? I think one. Their health. The invasion and intrusion entrusted upon Fawcett leaves me bewildered and angry. She should have the ability to focus on herself, her family without having to worry that every conversation, every disclosure every step be filmed, photographed or loosely reported upon. I suspect Fawcett took that camcorder with her, that fateful day, when the cancer returned because she desperately desired to have it her way. To disclose: her way and by her choice. Her story will be told, by her with her own footage to document and bare witness to all that she has fought to rise above. I have personally, strived to make this website as a homage to a very talented actress whom I've admired for years. I have tried to keep it free of negativity and make it as positive as possible. The main focus being Farrah, her work and making it less about rumor, conjecture, me or anything not germane to my underlying focus and intent. A site about Farrah Fawcett the actress, nothing else. I only wish she had the privacy that she longed for during her battle with Cancer. I don’t think it was too much to request or expect.
I watched Farrah’s Story tonight. It was heart wrenching and sad. Sad in that Fawcett is, seemingly, losing her battle. The spirit and never ceasing “positivity” that Farrah exudes though, is admirable and unflinching. Even in her most painful moments, she doesn’t complain. She cries, but she doesn’t blame. She doesn’t utter “Why me?”
The real blessing here is not just Fawcett’s complete determination to keep her “fight the fight” attitude but it’s in her best friend: Alana Stewart. If everyone could have a best friend like Alana, the world would be a better place. Stewart, rarely seen but ever present behind the camera is strong from the first phone message when she is telling Fawcett to get on the next plane to Germany. Stewart is a faithful and never bending force to be reckoned with. Her quiet determination and her allegiance to Farrah is refreshing and inspiring. Ryan to is present but in the heart that is breaking way. It’s his humor that helps Fawcett throughout, but it’s his bare all honesty that really moves you. What could be more human than telling people “you’re scared?” He doesn’t hold back. He’s candid and irreverent. Fawcett makes the statement that sums up a life: How are you? What are you fighting for? In her battle to save her own life she has uncovered and turned the camera around on the viewer and that is the best gift of all. Self examination and the realization that life is about relationships and the love and life we lead and desire to live and lead.
Tomorrow is Farrah’s funeral. A sentence I was hoping I wouldn’t ever have to write or consider. I have admired her since I was ten years old and she debuted on Charlie’s Angels. What an impact Fawcett had on so many. She wasn’t just a Texas beauty with the thousand watt smile, she was this athletic, strong and independent woman who strived to seek out and achieve what she determined was what she wanted. She went on to prove herself as an actress, garnered six Golden Globe Nominations and multiple Emmy nominations. She was a mother and artist and, more importantly a friend to those she knew and loved. She surpassed what was expected and predicated for her. Forever remembered as the girl in the red swim suit, the former’s Charlie’s Angels star was so much more. As Ryan O’Neal said to Meredith Vieira, “You loved her for all the right reasons.” She was and is an ICON of the seventies. But her career spanned four decades. She was twenty-nine years old (old in Hollywood standards today) when the unblinking eye of a camera catapulted her to stardom before there was internet or cell phones or even VCRs. She had the kind of media blitz unparalleled by even today’s standards. She was an American beauty with a name as original and beautiful as she was. So, as she is laid to rest, remember her fight, the awareness she brought towards Anal Cancer, the removal of the stigma attached to it, and the frailty of life. Farrah said it best in several ways, first her greatest desire was simply to go on living and second, “What are you fighting for?”
Created by Steve McKinnis
May 15, 2009 PM