I have always admired Debra Winger as a very talented actress and as a very unique woman, too. She has never been your usual 'Film Star' in any way shape or form. She is not of that 'mold', shall be say. But what she has always always been, is true to herself and she has always followed her heart and her convictions, and I think I admire that is a person almost as much as the talent they possess.There are many memorable performances from this special actress...of course the first one that comes to mind is "Terms Of Endearment", for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. A brilliantly funny and touching performance.....And then, of course"An Officer And A Gentleman" with Richard Gere...and the film that made her a star, "Urban Cowboy" with John Travolta....She was like a young colt unable to wait a moment longer and bursting to get out of the paddock; it was something to see!
My personal favorite is a later performance---a more mature performance, with Anthony Hopkins in "Shadowlands". A very beautiful complex film about many many things, not the least of which is love, and how love can open your heart in ways you couldn't have possibly imagined.A beautiful film that I have seen many many times and never tire of it.
Now, Debra Winger has written a book. It is not really a memoir, but it certainly is filled with her memories...It is a slim volume, beautifully put together, and dense with many ideas and feelings, and I loved it. In the very beginning---the prologue actually, she quotes a scene taken directly from the script of "Shadowlands"....in fact, it is from my very favorite scene and one that I have paraphrased recently in a comment on someones blog.
This scene is where Joy, who is in remission from cancer, is with her husband Jack (C.S. Lewis, of "Narnia" fame and much more....) in this magical beautiful place called The Golden Valley...They are just taking it all in and he has said how he doesn't want to be anywhere else anymore...How he is not waiting for "anything new to happen. Not looking round the next corner, nor over the next hill. I'm here, now, and that's enough."
Joy says: "That's your kind of happy. isn't it? It's not going to last, Jack."
Jack says: "We don't need to think of that now. Let's not spoil the time we have together."
JOY: It doesn't spoil it. It makes it real. Let me say it, Jack, Before the rain stops, and we go back.
JACK: What is there to say?
JOY: That I'm going to die.
(Lewis finds this very hard)
JOY: I want to be with you then, too, Jack. The only way I can do that is to talk to you about it now.
JACK: I shall manage. Don't you worry about me.
JOY: I think it can be better than that. Better than just managing. What I'm trying to say is that the pain then, is part of the happiness, now. That's the deal.
Profoundly touching and true.
And so is Debra Winger's beautiful little book.
More To Come........
- had this to say:
well now... you KNOW i will have to look into this book! The cover alone is captivating!
I just finished reading a book on Laurel and Hardy that I absolutely loved!!- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 3:42:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I have enjoyed her performances, too, but I've not seen Shadowlands. I will try to rent it soon, and I will look for her book.
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 3:43:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, I can't believe you posted this today. Just yesterday I was talking with a friend about summer reading books, and this one is listed in Oprah's latest magazine. I remember thinking, Is this the Debra Winger from Terms of Endearment and the other 80s movies? (I didn't realize she and Anthony Hopkins did a movie together...I will have to look for it.)
I know Jamie Lee Curtis has written wonderful children's books; Madonna as well. This excerpt of DW's book (quoting Shadowlands) makes me want to read more. It's also inspiring me to write more about relationships. Stay tuned for that...and thanks for sharing your thoughts on the movies and Debra Winger's "beautiful little book." I'm adding it to my summer reading list.- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 5:17:00 AM PDT
-
had this to say:
Shadowlands has always been a favorite of mine. I thought Debra Winger was perfect for that role, as was Anthony Hopkins as Lewis. The scene you mention is certainly one of the most poignant in the film.
Cheers.- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 6:51:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Debra Winger has been a favorite of mine ever since the first time I watched her - in Urban Cowboy! She is stunning! My favorite movie is - Black Widow! And, of course, An Officer & A Gentleman & Urban Cowboy!
I will be looking for this book - it truly has a gorgeous cover!- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:55:00 AM PDT
-
had this to say:
I've always liked her. She's such a down-to-earth versatile actress. Whenever I hear of her my 1st thought is "And officer and a Gentleman"... that movie melted my heart. (along with millions of others, I'm sure)
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 12:11:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Me too, Naomi, I like so much Debra Winger! She is the best actress and also so beautiful! I have enjoyed her performances... love Shadowlands, but it is so sad...
My favorite film is The Sheltering Sky, by director Bernardo Bertolucci. It's a remarkable film with beautiful music and amazing landscapes! The Sheltering Sky is a 1949 novel by Paul Bowles. The story centers on Port and Kit Moresby, a married couple originally from New York who travel to the North African desert accompanied by their friend Tunner.
There is a quote in this film about the difference between tourist and traveler that I like so much and I paste it here. It's about a conversation between three personages:
Tunner (Campbell Scott): We're probably the first tourists they've had since the war.
Kit Moresby (Debra Winger): Tunner, we're not tourists. We're travelers.
Tunner: Oh. What's the difference?
Port Moresby (John Malkovich): A tourist is someone who thinks about going home the moment they arrive, Tunner.
Kit Moresby: Whereas a traveler might not come back at all.
Tunner: You mean I'm a tourist.
Kit Moresby: Yes, Tunner. And I'm half and half.
Thanks for sharing, Naomi, I will be looking for this book!
Have a nice Sunday!- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:19:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
That quote is so true. Happiness and pain - they are very much two sides of the same coin aren't they? The universe seems to like balance.
Shadowlands is a wonderful film. I really must watch it again. Your post has made me want to go out and get her book!- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:30:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I wasn't aware of her new book. The cover sure is beautiful.
I love that movie Shadowlands. It certainly has two great actors on display. I read all the Narnia books as a child, and I still love them. I liked seeing a movie about C.S. Lewis's real life since he had written some wonderful books. Losing his wife was such a tragedy for him, as it would be for anyone who'd found a great love.
That passage you quoted is so powerfully true.- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:47:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I have always liked her but have not seen Shadowlands. I'll keep my eye out for her book. I enjoyed Searching for Debra Winger that Rosanna Arquette made with the emphasis on the problems women in demanding careers have with balancing that with family. It was a great interview film with a lot of known stars discussing it from their angle and then Debra Winger being interviewed at what was her home then. Not sure where she lives now.
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:51:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I, too, enjoyed the movie, "Shadowlands" and Debra Winger's performance. I like her as an actress, excuding personality but not flashy, overwhelming the characters she portrays.
Am playing "catch up" on your earlier posts as Murphy's Law kicked in for me over the past month or so and have had my hands full to overflowing. Still trying to get on top of everything.- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:52:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi! I enjoyed 'Shadowlands'. Debra Winger is one of my favorites too. Thanks for the excerpt to recommending her book. Have a jolly good weekend.
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 2:38:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Terms of Endearment. . . it's sort of on my "movies I'm not allowed to watch" list because I cry too hard when she says goodbye to her sons.
To answer your question, I'm a geek of varying levels when it comes to the following TV shows:
M*A*S*H (super-duper freak; I think David Ogden Stiers's performance on MTM wound up serving as his unofficial audition for M*A*S*H)
Happy Days
Brady Bunch
Leave it to Beaver (more when I was a kid)
Eight is Enough
Dick Van Dyke (although I haven't seen every episode, I totally love what I have seen)
St. Elsewhere
Little House (also, more when I was a kid)
Waltons
Simpsons
and probably some others I'm forgetting. When Nick at Nite first debuted, I was about 10 and they showed black and whites like Donna Reed, Mr. Ed, My Three Sons, etc. I loved it back then.- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 4:13:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Lovely passage that is quoted in her book. I'm sure it was very interesting reading! I have not seen the Shadowlands Movie. Sounds like a good one!
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 7:41:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I love Debra Winger, she has a fragile quality that always seems to reach out and grab me. And then there's Shadowlands - makes me sob, I love it.
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:31:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I've always been a fan of Debra Winger....I wonder how I missed Shadowlands? I will have to go out and find that movie and watch it with my husband..
Back from vacation and well rested.- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 1:48:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Im in love!!....again. I will get the book.
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 2:36:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Urban Cowboy and Officer and a Gentlemen were some of my favorite movies but I never liked her characters...she reminded me too much of certain girls around here I didn't like in both those...the trashy girl that couldn't stand to be without a man, whiny...but she is a great actress and I almost picked this book up in a book store in the airport. But when I saw on the cover that she dealt with suicidal thoughts I put it down thinking it might be a heavier read for later on.
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 5:24:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Great topic Naomi. not only is Debra a brilliant actress, but she is a very sweet person as well. Down to earth, and pleasant to talk to.
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 6:34:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I too, like seeing that not every star must "go Hollywood."
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 12:47:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Terms of Enderment was one of the movies that made me want to act. I always LOVED Debra Winger. And Urban Cowboy is a favorite, too. I will be getting the book and the movie "Shadowlands" this week.
Thanks so much, as usual!- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 2:51:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I like Debra Winger so I'll check out her book.
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 4:14:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh Naomi - I love Shadowlands - that quote "the happiness now is part of the pain then" - I have journaled and reflected many times about that quote. I too like Debra Winger - the books sounds like a worthwhile read. Thank you for this post, I will get the book.
ps We have special days coming up :)- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 6:59:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
One of my favorite movies, is a Officer and a Gentlemen. That one gives me goose bumps. Have never seen Shadowlands, although have heard it's a great Movie.
One of my other favorite actress is Holly Hunter. A movie that she did that sasitified my taste for a little supernatural & romance. was "Always". These days, can not seem to stay awake long enough to watch a movie. But will pick up Debra Winger's book. Do so enjoy a good read. Pat from NY- Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 6:52:00 AM PDT
-
had this to say:
I guess I'm a bit surprised that many of your readers here didn't see Shadowlands......I remember the week it came out, Ray and I went to the movies to see it. I LOVED it! Just as I've always loved Debra Winger.
I often thought she was one of those stars that just kinda stays in the background. Never any negative gossip about her and I always admired this as much as all her performances that I've seen. She just has a refreshing quality about her that I've always picked up on.
But I didn't know about this book she wrote.....so thank you so much for telling us about it! I'll be paying Amazon a visit. I loved that quote that you put here....so very true!
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 1:19:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Shadowlands is one of my all time favourite movies. Of course I am a "Narnian" from way back in fact this morning I was just reading a Guidebook to Narnia ( as part of my list learning exercises haha)
I adore Antony Hopkins voice so that contributes to my love of this movie.- Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 4:31:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
'Terms of Endearment ' moved me to the core and I think she inspired the other actors - especially Shirley Maclaine - to lift their performances.
- Monday, June 30, 2008 at 3:31:00 PM PDT
x4
