Bravo Barbara Broccoli. Not only the ballsy co producer of the Bond films, she is the producer of FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL, based on Peter Turner’s memoir of his affair with Gloria Grahame.
In the late Seventies, Turner was an aspiring actor, Gloria was a fading star Hollywood star, an Oscar winner doing regional theatre and television in Britain.A big star in black and white, not doing so well in colour as a landlady jibes in the film.
Turner was in his Twenties, Gloria was a wee bit older. They were kindred spirits but her professional insecurities took a terrible toll on the relationship.
Her insecurities were fuelled by ill health, a series of serious diagnosis she did not divulge to her young lover.
The romance floundered but the friendship endured and in 1981 she turned to Turner, who finally discovered the full extent of her health problems
Annette Bening plays Gloria Grahame, Jamie Bell as Peter Turner and they are both fabulous, as too are the rest of the cast, including Julie Walters as Peter’s caring mother, although possibly the film’s “money shot” is a scene brimming with tension as Gloria has a meeting with her mother and sister played by Vanessa Redgrave and Frances Barber respectively, and introduces them to her new beau.
Gloria’s previous relationship was with her stepson so there was a lot of controversy and accusations of cradle snatching.
Matt Greenhalgh’s screenplay displays the same spit and polish seen in his previous scripts, Control, about Joy Division frontman, Ian Curtis, and Nowhere Boy, a chronicle about John Lennon’s very early years.
Beautifully realised by director Paul McGuigan, FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL boasts gorgeous production values including Jany Temime’s fabulous costumes and Eve Stewart’s elegant production design.
Elton John’s Song For Guy runs through the film as a quasi theme and Elvis Costello has written a song called Dont Look at Me That Way which is as good as any of the songs nominated for best song at this year’s Oscars.
Just keep in mind FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL is a memoir not a bio pic.
The tone is fondness rather than salacious and serves the story well.
FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL reactivated my interest in Gloria Grahame and I am looking forward to revisiting her many fascinating films, especially the noir classics that made her name and fame.