The formidable Gena Rowlands, one of the all-time-great stage and screen actors, passed away this week at the age of 94. Rest in peace.
Born in 1930, Rowlands got her start in theater before becoming a television staple in the ’50s and ’60s, appearing in classics like Top Secret and Peyton Place. She made her film debut in in the 1958 comedy The High Cost Of Loving, but her career reached new heights when she began to work alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, shifting the landscape for independent cinema in the process.
A Woman Under The Influence, Opening Night, Gloria—these aren’t just some of Rowlands’ finest film performances, they’re some of the finest performances, period. Commanding, raw, witty, and vulnerable, Rowlands could portray the complexity of humanity on screen unlike any other.
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Of course, many millennials will surely remember her from the 2004 romance The Notebook, directed by her son Nick Cassavetes. As the older version of Rachel McAdams’ Allie who is now living with dementia, Rowlands is the movie’s heart and soul.
When Nick Cassavetes revealed his mother was similarly battling Alzheimer’s earlier this summer, it only made her turn in The Notebook that much more poignant—a fitting love letter to a titan of acting.
Rowlands would continue acting for the next decade (we highly recommend her segment of the lovely Paris Je’Taime and her committed work in the bonkers horror The Skeleton Key) before retiring in 2014. And we’re pleased to report that her final feature film role is a pretty gay one!
Rowlands stars opposite Cheyenne Jackson in Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks, a low-key comedy charmer directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, adapted from a play of the same name written by Richard Alfieri.
It’s a classic mismatched buddy comedy with a little Golden Girls flair, following South Florida retiree Lily Harrison (Rowlands)—a self-described “tight-arsed old biddy”—as she hires foul-mouthed dance instructor Michael Minetti (Jackson) for private lessons in her home, taking course over (you guessed it!) six weeks!
(Fun fact: The play was originally staged in Los Angeles with the legend Uta Hagen and David Hyde Pierce in the roles, and the Miami-based production that starred Rue McClanahan and Mark Hamill eventually went to Broadway—though Polly Bergen took over the role of Lily then.)
Suffice it to say, the pair don’t have an easy go of it at first, with Rowlands and Jackson clearly relishing the opportunity to fire off pithy barbs at one another. Lily lies about her husband still being around, but the widow clearly feels resentment having spent her better years with a strict, Southern Baptist beau. Meanwhile, Michael tells his client he’s married to a woman, attempting to hide both his homosexuality and an even deeper pain.
Can this odd couple overcome their differences and learn how to dance in step? Well, come on, of course they can—what sort of movie do you think this is?
Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks also boasts a knockout supporting cast, including legends like Rita Moreno as a shady neighbor, Jacki Weaver as a horny neighbor, and the late Julian Sands as Michael’s boss.
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Why Cheyenne Jackson will always be one of our leading men
Cheyenne is a multi-talented entertainer and delectable daddy.
And it’s always a delight to see Cheyenne Jackson take the lead, looking fine as ever in some swishy dance pants. (Yes, his character does get a shot at love, too)
But the big draw was and always will be Gena Rowlands. If you haven’t seen some of her aforementioned work with John Cassavetes, do we recommend you correct that immediately and see one of the best at the top of her game? Yes, we absolutely do.
However, as far as swan songs go, Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks makes for a sweet, gentle farewell to one of cinema’s greats. As Lily, Rowlands gets to be sharp and funny, wounded and heartfelt, and even an ally to the gays (a reminder she also starred in made-for-TV movie An Early Frost, the first major film to deal with AIDS)—as dynamic on screen as she’s ever been. It’s a nice grace note to an astounding 60-plus year career.
In light of the news of Rowlands passing, Jackson paid beautiful tribute to his friend and colleague on Instagram, writing:
“Gena Rowlands was one in a million. I got to be her very last leading man (her words) in a little movie called Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks. Being with her was magical. She regaled me with stories of old Hollywood and her adventures with John. I asked everything I could think of and she answered it all. She adored her children and she loved being an artist. What a consummate actress. Always trying to get to the heart of the scene. The marrow. Rest in peace. The GOAT.”
Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks is currently streaming via Amazon Prime Video, Freevee, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Vudu, and is available for digital rental or purchase via Apple TV.
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abfab
See Gena Rowlands in Woody Allen’s ”Another Woman”. The cast is amazing!
RIP dear one.
Man About Town
She was also wonderful in “An Early Frost,” “Light of Day,” and “The Betty Ford Story”
Davy
So glad Gloria was mentioned in the article. Back in the early 80s, I caught Gloria on the Movie Channel and watched it several more times when it came on. Such an underrated classic and Gena Rowlands is phenomenal in it, especially in a time when women didn’t headline many movies. I haven’t seen the movie in decades but her recent passing brought it back to mind. If anyone hasn’t seen it, I’d definitely recommend it. Not sure where to find it nowadays or if it even made the transfer to hi def. I’m actually surprised no one has floated the idea of a remake. RIP Gena Rowlands. Icon and legend.
Susie Snowflake
I still feel Gena was gypped in her Oscar loss for the film Woman Under the Influence. I realize it was a long time ago but if you have the time catch this movie – you won’t be sorry.
lauderdalebob
Cheyenne and Gene were both wonderful in Six Dance Lessons. Bought it a few years ago on Amazon Streaming and have seen it a few times and recommended it to friends and family. She will be sorely missed!
Pietro D
I love Gena Rowlands. Her partnership with the great John Cassavates, her husband who died far too young produced some very outstanding films.
So happy she received a Special Oscar for Lifetime Schievement in film. She always appeared to be a great lady on and off the screen. R.I.P. + Gena
jimmybearlondon
@Davy – there was a rather uninspiring remake back in 1999 starring Sharon Stone and directed by the great Sidney Lumet, the fact it passed you and most other people by gives you an idea of how well it was received!
aL2000
I am a bit surprised no one has mentioned her performance in the 1978 TV movie “A Question of Love ” . Gena played a lesbian mother fighting for custody of her child. It was considered groundbreaking at the time and, as always, she was excellent.
Jim
In her heyday you didn’t ask what a movie was about that she was in, you just watched it.
abfab
@ Jim that’s how I feel about Judi Dench and Meryl Streep
Walking the Dog
“Gloria” is available to stream for free on Tubi and to rent on several other streaming platforms. There was a 1999 remake starring Sharon Stone, directed by Sidney Lumet. It was sort of awful.
Davy
Thank you so much Jimmybearlondon. Never knew there was a remake but, taking your info, I managed to find a dvd double feature on eBay which has the original and remake (which I will go into with very low expectations) Thanks again!
davidjohng
Her performance in “Woman Under the Influence” back in the mid-70s was groundbreaking and amazing. Mental illness was always a subject Hollywood and film in general stayed away from. Her portrayal of a mother and wife with mental health issues was disturbingly real, sad and humorous at the same time. What a beautiful talent!