Jottings - Slice of Life - 238 ( Mystic Pizza - The birth of Julia Roberts as an actor)

Jottings - Slice of Life - 238 ( Mystic Pizza - The birth of Julia Roberts as an actor)

Talent is one thing, but seizing the right opportunity to express that talent is something else. In any field of activity, the confluence of potentiality, timing and performance is important. Greatness touches the Man who can recognize the moment, when all three come together, and can give it everything one has got. The difference between mediocrity and excellence lies at this intersection. There is no doubt talent is inherent in many, but those who fail to recognize seminal moments of pregnant opportunity and cannot lift themselves stay mediocre, while those privileged few who act on their gut feel: “this is the moment to rise” cruise into that zone of excellence sooner than later. Getting the right break, and using it well is the wish everyone prays for. God knows , how many athletes have given up their interest in a sport seeking in vain for that elusive break ; or how many talented artists have languished on the sidelines of a stage or cinema hoping to catch the eye of someone who can spot talent and open doors; or more tragically, how often do we see seeds of exceptional talent wither away under fortuitous and tragical circumstances without blossoming into something rich and remarkable.

In 1989, Julia Roberts shot to fame with the heart touching adult comedy “Pretty woman” alongside the debonair Richard Gere. Ms Roberts had just one movie of any significance under her belt before Pretty woman. It was the surprise hit “The mystic Pizza”, the previous year, and the role in the film that gave her the perfect platform to showcase her talent in full measure. Gifted with a tall, full figured body, with dark tumbling hair and deep blue eyes reflecting naughtiness, sensuality, and seriousness in equal measure; an effortlessly natural smile that opened up her face like a flower in full bloom, and above all, her ability to give shape to wide variety of emotions with ease on screen, helped Julia bring to life the story of three friends coming of age working at a local Pizza store in Connecticut. In Mystic Pizza, Julia found the perfect role and chance to showcase her talent. It was the kind of role budding actors dream of. Everything about it seemed tailor made for Julia to shine. She just had to step into the shoes and excel herself, which she did. Daisy Araujo ( the character of elder sister in the movie played by Julia) had to be sensuous, irresponsible, kind hearted, caring, unconventional and highly emotional. All of it comes naturally to Julia Roberts on screen. These are her primary strengths. At this distance, when one watches her performance in Mystic Pizza, it looks like a brief trailer of a career destined to evolve in certain way. Her entire work for the last three decades seems encapsulated in that introductory role, and since then, it seems, only individual strands of genius from that central point have gone on to express themselves in various roles which have bought her international acclaim. Like an aria in a Bach Opera; Julia’s role in Mystic Pizza is a prelude to what was coming later. In Erin Brockovich, Sleeping with enemy, Osage County, noting hill, Eat pray and Love - to name a few, one can see reflections of young effervescent Julia making her mark in Mystic Pizza.

In fact, the movie was a launch pad for many other actors as well. Annabeth Gish and Lili Taylor, who went on to become mature actors in independent films; Vincent D’Onofrio showed seeds of that introspective energy which matured into his long standing role as lead detective Robert Goren in Law & Order; and also featured the future star Matt Damon in an inconsequential role ( one would hardly recognize him). Roger Ebert, the great Movie critic, was prophetic when he wrote a positive review of Mystic Pizza in 1988. I paraphrase: “I have a feeling that “Mystic Pizza” may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars. All of the young actors in this movie have genuine gifts. Roberts is a major beauty with a fierce energy. Gish projects intelligence and stubbornness like a young Katharine Hepburn…”. Roger was spot on. He gave it 3.5 stars out of 4, which is rather high by his standards in over 40 years of critiquing cinema.

Mystic Pizza has been on my watchlist for many months. Strange, how, like books, movies also find their right time to enter our lives. Couple of weeks ago, I finally got around to watch it. It is a beautiful movie told with sincerity and subtle grace. There is, obviously, abundance of talent and it shines through in every frame. The movie provided the right platform for all its star cast. The characters were etched in such a way that it bought forth the natural strengths of its lead actors. This is very important in early stages of an artists career - to play to their natural abilities. It injects confidence to soar higher, and helps consolidate their inner powers and prepare for more challenging roles. Many actors do not get such an opportunity, and even if they do, very few recognize the potential. Looking at the careers of all the greats, and revisiting their initial efforts; one can invariably find that spark of undeniable talent flickering in those performances, and the promise of an artistic conflagration later. Robert de Niro in Taxi Driver, or Shivaji Ganesan in Parasakti, or Amitabh In Anand, or Meryl Streep in Kramer vs Kramer and so many others who are considered accomplished artists today; their origins always vindicate how they embraced an opportunity and used it well to their advantage.

To my readers, who love good movies and great performances, I recommend Mystic Pizza for its nostalgic value. Thirty years ago, a star was born, and we have an opportunity to watch it happen.

God bless…
yours in mortality,
Bala