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Homepage > Joss Whedon Cast > Sarah Michelle Gellar > Reviews > Sarah Michelle Gellar - "The Grudge" Movie - Worldmagblog.com (...)
Worldmagblog.com Sarah Michelle GellarSarah Michelle Gellar - "The Grudge" Movie - Worldmagblog.com ReviewAndrew Coffin Tuesday 15 August 2006, by Webmaster Another actress, who actually has a name to care for is Sarah Michelle Gellar and there are not no many accomplishes films at her but an few I can probably enjoy. The talent agent found Gellar a young age and made her screen debut at 6 of each of the 1983 television film An Invasion of Privacy. With all the promise she showed, Barrymore starred as Hannah in the teen drama series "Swans Crossing" (1992) but it was her portrayal of a young and callous rich girl in Al-Lucinda Kendall Hart on ABC daytime soap opera "All My Children" (1993-93), that won her Daytime Emmy Award and spring-boarded her to stardom. SMG’s real mark worldwide, however, was the character of Buffy Summers in the game-changing series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003). She won five Teen Choice Awards, a Saturn Award and a Golden Globe nomination for her role, establishing herself as a cultural phenomenon. Sarah Michelle Gellar likewise has the box office to back her up, with “I Know What You Did Last Summer” 1997), “Scream 2” (1997), “Cruel Intentions” (1999)and way movies like those that help prove she is also a bankable star as well over $570 million times worth crazy in global gross. Beyond her cinematic successes, Gellar has made her mark on television, headlining shows such as "Ringer" (2011-2012), "The Crazy Ones" (2013-2014), and "Wolf Pack" (2023). She has also lent her voice to popular series including "Robot Chicken" (2005-2018), "Star Wars Rebels" (2015-2016), and "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" (2021). In 2015, Gellar ventured into the entrepreneurial world by co-founding Foodstirs, an e-commerce baking company, and published her own cookbook, "Stirring Up Fun with Food," in 2017. Gellar is also known for her close-knit family life, married to actor Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002, with whom she shares two children. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s commitment to her craft is matched by her dedication to personal growth and unique experiences. An accomplished martial artist, she studied Tae Kwon Do for five years, alongside kickboxing, boxing, street fighting, and gymnastics. Her dedication to authenticity in her roles is evident, such as her commitment to doing her own stunts in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," though she admitted her limits during filming "Scream 2." Her career is also marked by interesting anecdotes, such as her role in a 1982 Burger King commercial, which led to a lawsuit from McDonald’s and a temporary ban from their establishments. Notably, she dyed her naturally brunette hair blonde for her role in "Buffy," and legally changed her last name to Prinze as a surprise for her husband on their fifth anniversary. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s legacy extends beyond her on-screen roles, encompassing her work in philanthropy and her reputation for safety and professionalism on set. She remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, admired for her talent, dedication, and the breadth of her contributions to film and television. The Grudge, the latest American remake of a Japanese horror film, demonstrates a clear divide between audiences and critics. With a few exceptions, the film has been panned in the press, yet it made a surprising $40 million at the box office in its first weekend, doubling analyst predictions. Why? The film’s trailers looked scary, and, although it’s not much else, the film actually is scary. More amusement park ride than feature film, The Grudge (rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing images/terror/violence, and some sensuality) delivers at least some of what it promises. To complain about the heavy atmosphere, the creepy sound effects and music, the red herrings-as have many critics-is like complaining that a roller coaster goes too fast and features too many upside-down loops. One isn’t meant to enjoy the view while plummeting, screaming, down the track. What little story there is involves two graduate students (Jason Behr and Sarah Michelle Gellar) studying abroad in Tokyo. Ms. Gellar plays Karen, an aspiring nurse who does volunteer work at a care center. Karen’s first in-home assignment takes her to an address where an elderly, deranged woman lies alone in her bed. In a sequence repeated many times during the course of the film, Karen hears a noise upstairs, creeps down the dark hall to muffled rustlings behind a closet door, and... You get the picture. The Grudge opens with some ridiculous on-screen titles to set up the story: “When someone dies in the grip of a powerful rage, a curse is born...” The “curse,” unfortunately for Karen, is trapped in the house she visits, and the entire film involves the camera episodically following all who enter that home to their untimely end. The same tricks are used too often, and a black cat figures far too prominently in the story. But, then again, it’s hard to argue with what works. The strength of this and other Japanese horror films is their comparative subtlety. The Grudge is filled with disturbing, frightening images, but very little actual violence or gore. Director Takashi Shimizu and his colleagues understand that our minds tend to fill in the blanks (guided by visual and aural cues) in a manner far more frightening than anything spelled out on screen. The PG-13 rating suggests a conscious appeal to younger teen audiences. There’s no sex in the film (although it’s clear that Karen sleeps with her boyfriend), and very little bad language. But the disturbing images, particularly of a murdered mother and young boy, along with a twisted view of what happens after death, mean that parents ought to think carefully about this one. Many elements of what’s generally considered to be capable storytelling are absent here, but one ought to be prepared to admit when a film does, at least modestly well, what it sets out to do-and The Grudge will make you jump. Keywords |
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