Unnecessary Praise for McTeer and Close

I keep hearing a lot of praise for both Glenn Close and Janet McTeer, but I remain unimpressed. To me it was completely obvious that both were women and I don’t believe either would have passed as a man in that age or any other. Looking past the obvious physical traits such as McTeers noticeably small head in proportion to her body, lack of facial hair or five o’clock shadow on either character as well as a lack of an Adam’s apple; there were many other things that disappointed me.

To me, McTeer completely overacted her part. The way she always lifted her lip reminded me of what a five-year-old girl would do if you asked her to act like a boy. Contorting the face to look “manly” is one of the most simplistic and poorest forms of acting I can envision. Also, the way McTeer acted aggressive in many situations to again show her “manliness” was laughable and contrite.

On the other end of the spectrum was Close whose performance, unlike McTeer’s, was vastly underwhelming. I understand that Close’s character is supposed to be played with a calm demeanor, but to me her disposition was overly feminine, which was weird considering McTeer played her part with such overt and over-the-top masculinity.

The other part that was awful was when the two put on the dresses and began walking down the street. It surely got a laugh in every theater across the country as the two “manly” women tried to again act like women. However, that scene was so devastatingly awful in the way that Close was suddenly walking more manly that she had the entire the movie. Of course only moments later on the beach that awkward walk quickly disappeared as Close pranced on the beach like a graceful woman. I understand that the concept was that neither had walked like a woman in years and thus could not adjust quickly, but again, the overacting by McTeer was laughable and Close just looked ridiculous.

For once I would like to see a woman pull off this type of role with precision and elegance rather than overdramatic acting or sheepishly shy indiscretion.