A four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner, Gena Rowlands is an immensely talented star, perhaps most known for her indie collaborations with her actor-filmmaker late husband, John Cassavetes. Although she has retired from acting, Rowlands has left a huge mark in the film industry with her incredible, authentic, and naturalistic acting skills, as well as memorable movie roles that helped shape cinema.
While the star has been in mostly independent films, viewers may also recognize her from big blockbusters — one of her last projects was The Notebook, in which she played older Allie. From Another Woman to A Woman Under the Influence, these are the best Gena Rowlands movies that cemented her as a trailblazer of American cinema.
15 'The Notebook' (2004)
Directed by Nick Cassavetes
Directed by Rowlands and Cassavetes' son, Nick Cassavetes, and based on Nicholas Sparks' 1996 novel, The Notebook follows an older man (James Garner) reading a love story to an older woman (Rowlands). The story sees two young lovers, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Ally (Rachel McAdams), who are separated by their inherent differences after a love-filled summer, only to reunite years later when she's engaged.
The Notebook borrows from a real story to tell a sweeping tale of love and how it can be lost and found. The Notebook is now considered among the best romantic movies of the new millennium, largely thanks to Gosling and McAdams' electrifying chemistry. However, the veteran adults are just as important to the narrative, especially to sell its now-famous twist. Rowlands delivers a profoundly affecting performance as an older woman losing her grip on her sanity, perfectly matched by an equally compelling Garner.
The Notebook
- Release Date
- June 25, 2004
- Cast
- Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, James Marsden, Kevin Connolly, Sam Shepard, Joan Allen
- Runtime
- 124 Minutes
14 'The Mighty' (1998)
Directed by Peter Chelsom
Academy Award nominee Sharon Stone stars in the 1998 coming-of-age buddy dramedy The Mighty. The film chronicles the friendship between Kevin (Kieran Culkin), a boy with Morquio syndrome living with his mother (Stone), and Max (Elden Henson), a teenager with dyslexia living with his grandparents (Rowlands and Harry Dean Stanton).
The Mighty remains a worthy and rewarding coming-of-age tale and one of the sweetest movies of the late '90s.
The Mighty is a sweet story about friendship and belonging with a gut punch of an ending that won't leave a dry eye in the house. Rowlands and Stone provide much experience and dignity to the proceedings, but it's Culkin and Henson who dominate this well-meaning and affecting picture. Although it rarely strains from the classic path laid by other, better movies, The Mighty remains a worthy and rewarding coming-of-age tale and one of the sweetest movies of the late '90s.
13 'Machine Gun McCain' (1969)
Directed by Giuliano Montaldo
John Cassavetes was also a remarkably gifted actor, even earning an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in The Dirty Dozen. The gifted actor and director gives one of his coolest and most confident leading turns in Giuliano Montaldo's crime film Machine Gun McCain as Hank McCain, a recently paroled criminal who plans a heist at a casino alongside his son. However, they are unaware that the casino is run by a dangerous mob boss.
Rowlands' scenes with Cassavetes are intimate yet revealing, never needing expository dialog to convey a sense of familiarity between their characters.
Rowlands plays a small supporting role as Rosemary Scott, McCain's old lover and former partner in crime. It's a small but pivotal role and an excellent example of how much of a difference Rowlands could make in a movie. Her scenes with Cassavetes are intimate yet revealing, never needing expository dialog to convey a sense of familiarity between their characters. Machine Gun McCain is not particularly great, but Cassavetes almost single-handedly elevates it, thanks to his collected performance and how lived-in he makes McCain's world feel and look.
12 'Unhook the Stars' (1996)
Directed by Nick Cassavetes
Rowlands joins Oscar winner Marisa Tomei in Cassavetes' 1996 drama Unhook the Stars. The film follows Mildred (Rowlands), a widow who befriends her across-the-street neighbor, Monica (Tomei), eventually becoming the babysitter of her son, J.J. (Jake Lloyd).
Unhook the Stars is a solid late effort from Cassavetes and yet another excellent performance from Rowlands.
Unhook the Stars is a unique film in Cassavetes' filmography. It's a lot more conventional and unambitious than his previous collaborations with Rowlands, but there is charm and potency in its simplicity. Mostly, Unhook the Stars serves as a showcase for Rowlands' mighty talents, perfectly matched by an equally compelling Tomei, whose screen presence is strong enough to stand against Rowlands in some of the film's most interesting scenes. Although quite by the numbers, Unhook the Stars is a solid late effort from Cassavetes and yet another excellent performance from Rowlands.
11 'Hysterical Blindness' (2002)
Directed by Mira Nair
A trio of Oscar nominees star in the HBO drama Hysterical Blindness, based on the eponymous stage play. Uma Thurman plays Debby, a young woman desperate to find love. Rowlands co-stars as her mother, Virginia, who is in a relationship with Nick (Ben Gazzara), a man who makes her feel alive for the first time in her life.
Hysterical Blindness is more concerned with allowing its actors to shine in a classic story about the challenges of everyday life.
Hysterical Blindness is an actors' movie from beginning to end. Thurman, Rowlands, and Gazzara delivered stellar performances that earned them critical acclaim and prestigious accolades. Thurman won the 2003 Golden Globe, while Rowlands and Gazzara claimed the 2003 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, respectively. Hysterical Blindness is more concerned with allowing its actors to shine in a classic story about the challenges of everyday life, becoming more memorable and effective as a result.
10 'Another Woman' (1988)
Directed by Woody Allen
Another Woman stars Rowlands as Marion Post, a philosophy professor who unintentionally overhears a private conversation between a psychiatrist and her patient named Hope, played by Mia Farrow. As Marion eavesdrops, she becomes moved by Hope's regrets and despair, which leads her to reevaluate her own life. She then realizes that her coldness has made her distant from her friends and family, ultimately becoming captivated by the idea of changing her ways.
Despite being directed by one of the most controversial filmmakers of all time, Another Woman is undoubtedly an intriguing watch that provides viewers with a captivating character study. It is a complex, at times even touching film that features a great performance from the undeniably talented actor. Another Woman makes audiences rethink if they really should be watching it, in the sense that it is utterly voyeuristic.
9 'A Child is Waiting' (1963)
Directed by John Cassavetes
Based on Abby Man's Westinghouse Studio One teleplay, John Cassavetes' enthralling drama A Child is Waiting centers on Judy Garland's music teacher, Jean Hansen, who quickly bonds with her students at a state mental hospital. She forms a strong connection with 12-year-old Reuben (Bruce Ritchey), who was left in the institution by his parents, Sophie (Gena Rowlands) and Ted (Steven Hill), following their divorce.
Cassavetes' 1963 movie features emotional performances from those involved and sees the filmmaker attempting at mainstream cinema.
Like most of Judy Garland's movies, A Child Is Waiting rises on the strength of the actress' impassionate performance. Dealing with sensitive themes regarding children with intellectual disabilities or emotionally disturbed, Cassavetes' 1963 movie features emotional performances from those involved and sees the filmmaker attempting at mainstream cinema. Despite underwhelming box office results, A Child is Waiting was generally well-received and features a very good Tomatometer score of 92%. It is not one of the director's best, but it is far from being a bad film, either.
8 'Lonely Are the Brave' (1962)
Directed by David Miller
Adapted from Edward Abbey's novel The Brave Cowboy, Lonely Are the Brave is a black-and-white Western following a man (Kirk Douglas) who feels like he doesn't belong in the modern world. In order to be imprisoned alongside his convict friend Paul, played by Michael Kane, Jack deliberately gets into a barroom fight. When the police come after him, though, he heads for the hills and the hunt breaks out after finding out his friend does not want to escape after all.
Filmed in the area in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, David Miller's underrated Western movie features beautiful imagery on top of its thoroughly entertaining narrative. It is one of Kirk Douglas' films that he has made (via Far Out Magazine). "I love the theme that if you try to be an individual, society will crush you," the actor revealed. Rowlands skilfully portrays Jack's best friend's wife, Jerry Bondi.
Lonely Are the Brave
- Release Date
- May 24, 1962
- Runtime
- 107 minutes
- Director
- David Miller
- Cast
- Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, Michael Kane, Carroll O'Connor, William Schallert, George Kennedy, Karl Swenson, William Mims, Martín Garralaga, Lalo Rios, John Barton, Ray Beltram, Audrey Betz, Bill Bixby, Eumenio Blanco, Oscar Blank, Don Carlos, George Keymas, Harry Lauter, Bill Raisch, Vince St. Cyr, David O. McCall, Dan Sheridan, Rudy Germane
- Writers
- Dalton Trumbo, Edward Abbey
7 'Minnie and Moskowitz' (1971)
Directed by John Cassavetes
Rowlands and Seymour Cassel join forces in the underrated 1970s film Minnie and Moskowitz, bringing to life the title roles. Minnie Moore is an aging beauty feeling depressed after being dumped by her married boyfriend and wondering if she will ever find true love. When she meets the shaggy-haired parking lot attendant Seymour during a blind date that goes terribly wrong, he falls hopelessly in love with Minnie. Minnie then agrees to go on a date with him, and a connection blossoms between the two.
Despite being a low-budget production, Minnie and Moskowitz earned Cassavetes, Rowland's then-husband, a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen — and deservedly so. The 1971 movie, which meditates on unlikely relationships, may not be a must-see masterpiece in the genre. However, it is surely a well-made film that fans of independent comedies, in particular, would like to check out. Clearly, Cassavetes incorporated some elements of his real-life relationship in this, making Minnie and Moskowitz a truly endearing and special watch.
6 'Night on Earth' (1991)
Directed by Jim Jarmusch
This arthouse comedy-drama by Jim Jarmusch presents five different segments, each filmed inside a cab ride and set in a different city around the world: Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki. One of them features taxi driver Corky (Winona Ryder), who is paired with a Hollywood casting agent (Rowlands). The other is a Parisian chauffeur (Isaach de Bankolé) who must engage in a debate with some noisy diplomats.
Jim Jarmusch's uniquely creative film explores the tenderness of nights, conversations with strangers, and human connection.
Featuring a beautiful Tom Waits soundtrack, Night on Earth is a highly entertaining slice-of-life film that will keep audiences invested in its unusual screenplay and realistic dialogue. Equal parts funny and somewhat sad, Jarmusch's uniquely creative film explores the tenderness of nights, conversations with strangers, and human connection. It was Rowland's first movie role after the death of her husband and work partner, Cassavetes, but she remains as spirited and enthralling on screen as always.
