Geena Davis: Five Films for Newcomers
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
Happy birthday to Geena Davis! The star has been the forefront of gender representation and equality in and outside of Hollywood for decades. Surprisingly, her filmography is a lost smaller than you would think: twenty six films (three of those being Stuart Little works). I imagined she had done so much more, given how much of an impact she always leaves with me whenever I see her, even it’s her small debut in Tootsie, or if she’s a highlight in a decent film (like The Long Kiss Goodnight). However, I want to focus on the highlights of her career, and even in five films you can find some versatility. Here are films for newcomers of the works of Geena Davis.
5. Beetlejuice
I feel like one of the earliest introductions many have had to Geena Davis was Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, given the popularity of the film. As the face of life and death (quite literally), Davis’ Barbara Maitland both compliments a young Alec Baldwin (as Adam Maitland) and stands out on her own as her own interesting character. I often wish that Davis was a part of Burton’s acting collective, and I wonder how she would have been in other works of his (especially the ones that could have been helped by her presence).
4. A League of Their Own
Davis was perfectly cast in Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own: a recount of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Considering the film is told through her character’s perspective (Dottie Hinson), Davis is an integral part to League’s success, particularly Dottie’s development throughout the film (and the course of the second World War and her gestating career). Davis carries all of Dottie’s traits in the film’s most colourful and multifaceted role with ease.
3. The Fly
I often consider The Fly to be one of the most beautiful horror films ever made (a paradox, I know), and part of that honour comes from the emotions that Davis brings to journalist Ronnie Quaife in David Cronenberg’s opus. As a partner that is watching her lover slowly die from an unthinkable illness (that you can only find in a body horror like this), Davis brings such a natural humanity to Ronnie: an identifiable role that makes us feel like we’re witnessing the horror as well. Be afraid. Be very afraid. My own personal favourite film and role of Davis’.
2. The Accidental Tourist
The film that made Geena Davis an Academy Award winner. The Accidental Tourist is an okay feature, but it’s absolutely worth watching for one of Davis’ finest performances (Muriel). An impressionable performance that allows for a lot of vulnerability within the film and the characters around her, Davis’ Muriel is the kind of supporting character you don’t forget (particularly because she steals the entire show). This was the introduction to many in the ‘80s that Davis could act really well.
1. Thelma & Louise
I don’t think there needs to be a real explanation as to why this is the best place to start. If you’ve never seen Geena Davis in a film before, go see Thelma & Louise as soon as possible. As the Thelma in the title, Davis is so magnetic and likeable, and seeing what she goes through is gut-wrenching. You want to see her succeed in any way, and is this the right actress and the right film pairing for such a goal. Thelma & Louise is a staple in feminist cinema, and a major reason why is because Geena Davis is perfect here.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.