Gloria

This is one of my favorite movies of all times. Gena Rowlands is a powerhouse actor in this gutsy film about survival, courage and compassion set in the fast-paced, gritty New York City of the 70s. The acting all-around is exceptional. The film is riveting from beginning to end. You get swept up in Gloria's dilemma right away. The scene where she has to decide whether to save herself and turn the kid over to his assassins is very believable as you can see and feel how desperate one would be in such a dire situation. Another great scene is at a Penn Station coffee shop where she confronts the stalking mobsters at a nearby table. You can hear a pin drop in that restaurant as she stands there saying, "I'm Gloria. My hand is on my gun in my purse!" Yet another great scene is the crowded subway where she literally throws punches with one of the mobsters who has caught up with her. Everyone in that graffiti-laden subway car presses against the walls trying to get away when Gloria pulls her gun. She says as she gets off: "Ya punk! Ya Punk. Ya let a sissy beat you, huh? You punk! Go ahead, punk!." Then the subway car closes and she and the kid get away yet again. So, get lots of popcorn, turn off the phones and curl up in bed with the lights off for this one!