After Jennifer Beals made it big with Flashdance, you probably saw her name on the credits for movies and TV shows. But did you notice the amount? 46 movies and 39 TV shows. Yikes! No wonder she never had time to invite us for Sunday brunch Or maybe there's another reason. Like, my very embarrassing 1983 interview with her.
Anyway, this got Cindy and me wondering. Are there some gems in Jennifer's credits that we missed and can watch now in a our time of Covid-safe binging at home? So I did a little research. Though some of Jennifer's roles may not demand a second look, others -- like 1995's Devil in a Blue Dress (above) -- have potential. Here's what will be playing in our living room....
My Bodyguard (1980): Not sure how we missed this one, but Jennifer's small cameo as a high school student -- her only movie role before Flashdance -- gives us an excuse to watch it now. This much-loved teen movie puts a different twist on high school bullies, with help from Matt Dillon, Ruth Gordon (one of the her last movie roles), Martin Mull, John Houseman, and Adam Baldwin. And, by the way, for anyone who craves a rerun of Whitney and Kevin in 1992's The Bodyguard -- this ain't it. Less tension, more heart.
In the Soup (1992) Directed by Beals' first husband Alexandre Rockwell, this comedy despicts a failing screenwriter (Steve Buscemi) who so wants to get his 500-page screenplay produced that he accepts help from a gangster. In the Soup won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and has a starry cast that includes Carol Kane, Stanley Tucci, Jim Jarmusch, and Sam Rockwell. Gotta be fun. And it looks as if you can watch it for free on Amazon Prime.
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995): This film noir adaptation of a Walter Mosely detective novel, which co-stars Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Tom Sizemore, got mostly great reviews. Apparently, a steamy love scene between Denzel and Jennifer was cut because director Carl Franklin felt it was unnecessary. Here's a 1995 interview where Jennifer talked about the movie...
The Last Days of Disco (1998): The third installment in Whit Stillman's trilogy of movies about privileged young New Yorkers got positive reviews for its candor and humor. Jennifer plays one of the girlfriends of a disco manager who has a unique trick for breaking off with women when he's tired of them: he tells them that he's gay. Cindy is still working on pronouncing the name of the movie's lead Chloe Sevigny. (No, it's not Sevig-ninny, Cindy.) Here's one of Jennifer's bits from the movie...
Roger Dodger (2002) Though I'm not crazy about the guy-who-messes-up-his-own-life genre, I remember from seeing it 20 years ago that this one compensates with extra heart, and with fun performances by Beals' co-stars Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Berkley, and Campbell Scott. (Side note: Did you know that Campbell Scott -- who played Peter Parker's father in Spiderman movies -- is the son of George C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst? No wonder he can act!) Jennifer plays a nightclub sophisticate who gives an impromptu lesson in how to kiss to an innocent high school boy (Jesse Eisenberg, in his first major movie role). Here's the excellent kiss scene...
And here's an on-set interview with Jennifer and Elizabeth Berkley:
Runaway Jury (2003): In this adaptation of a John Grisham novel (starring John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz), Jennifer plays a sidekick to Hackman's character -- who is trying to influence the result of a court case against a gun manufacturer. The plot sounds complicated, but if it's Grisham, it's gotta be suspenseful. And both critics and viewers liked it. So we'll give it a try.
The L Word (2004 - 2009): This TV series about lesbian and bisexual women in L.A. earned rave reviews from legions of fans. Jennifer's role as Ivy League-educated gallery owner Bette Porter also won her several awards. Though she isn't gay, Jennifer's been a very active supporter of gay and lesbian rights; in 2006, she was Grand Marshall at San Francisco's Gay Pride Parade. The only hesitation about this one: Can we bring ourselves to start watching yet another multi-season series -- which will keep us racing to the TV for more night after night? On second thought, that sounds fine. Get out the dinner-by-the-TV trays! Here's a 2019 interview where Jennifer talks about the series sequel, The L Word, Generation Q...
If you've got suggestions about what should be added -- or removed from -- the Jennifer Beals Binge Watch List, let me know.
And if you want to hear excerpts from my ridiculous 1983 interview with Jennifer, listen here.
