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Homepage > Joss Whedon Cast > Sarah Michelle Gellar > Reviews > Sarah Michelle Gellar - "The Return" Movie - Seattletimes.com (...)
Seattletimes.com Sarah Michelle GellarSarah Michelle Gellar - "The Return" Movie - Seattletimes.com ReviewLisa Rose Sunday 12 November 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. Sadly for Gellar, this is no "Grudge II" Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a Texas truck dealer with weird memories in a town where a murder occurred years ago. "The Return" is an apt title for a template thriller with Sarah Michelle Gellar in a familiar ghost-hunting role. She portrays a woman who visits a spooky town where a murder took place years ago, a crime that has never been solved. Somehow, she has memories of the incident and must confront the killer to end her nightmares. The idea of Gellar unearthing hidden truths to help the dead rest in peace is reminiscent of "The Grudge," except this time she’s in Texas, not Tokyo, and the murder scene is a barn instead of a creaky house. The key thing that distinguishes the new movie from its predecessor is its total absence of scares. It’s strange that the actress chose to star in this picture in lieu of leading the cast in "The Grudge 2" (she made only a cameo appearance). While that sequel was blah, "The Return" is worse. The slow, uneventful film - not screened for critics - offers no visual ingenuity, just some cheap shocks courtesy of crashing sound cues. The movie’s biggest riddle is whatever happened to the credibility of Sam Shepard, collecting a paycheck for a few scenes as Gellar’s dubious dad. British filmmaker Asif Kapadia ("The Warrior") has a repertoire of second-hand Hitchcock camera moves, along with a harrowing amount of pretense. It’s like he can’t even be bothered trying to entertain the audience. The script, by newcomer Adam Sussman, hinges on irrational behavior by the main character and everyone around her. Joanna (Gellar) is a sullen woman who hails from Texas yet speaks with the diction of a Scarsdale debutante. She sells trucks for a living, always on the move, never getting close to anyone, scarred by something that happened to her during her childhood. Because of the trauma, she sees dead people. Well, one dead person at least. She has visions of a woman stalked by a creep who looks like he’s related to Leatherface from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." On the road one day, Joanna follows the signs to a town called La Salle, a place she’s never been yet mysteriously remembers. There, she meets a guy (Peter O’Brien) with some baggage of his own. She is drawn to him for reasons she can’t fathom. He may have the information she needs to construe the nightmares that have been plaguing her all these years, or perhaps it’s just his vague resemblance to Sawyer on "Lost." Now playing "The Return," with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sam Shepard and Peter O’Brien. Directed by Asif Kapadia from a screenplay by Adam Sussman. 84 minutes. Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content, strong language and social drinking. Several theaters. "The Return" is routine in its depiction of a waifish young woman surrounded by men with predatory qualities. It’s sad to see Buffy so disempowered. Keywords |
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