I happened upon this movie and found it so moving. Mostly it was the performances but a large part of the reason I loved it was the pictures obvious love for the Theatre. A love I share. In the film, Fonda is amazing. Complicated and 3D, subtle and larger than life. Ms Strassberg, though vocally somewhat stiff and mannered is so alive and vibrant, young and beautiful. I thought her Juliet speech was again vocally stiff, but inside of that was an amazing, young, excited, perfect Juliet. Every word was felt and communicated in an immediate sincere way that is hardly ever achieved in the role. The detail of THEATRE in NEW YORK in the 50's is wonderful. The Stageheands reading the paper as they flip switches, the STAGE DOOR, curtain calls, the adrenaline of opening night. I could go on and on, but as one who loves backstage type melodrama this one is a feast.
Review of Stage Struck
