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Dear
Ms. Gillian,
As
a rule, I’m not generous with my praise. I have
never written anyone a “fan letter” before,
nor would I do so now without just cause.
There
are a number of fine actresses in theatre and cinema
today, some finer than others, whose work I’ve
enjoyed and/or admired. However, I must tell you, my
dear Ms. Gillian, that you transcended
“enjoyable” a long time ago. Following your
career over the past 15 or so years, beginning with
your long stint on X-Files,
and extending to roles in House
of Mirth, The
Mighty (what a piece of work!!)
and, most notably, Bleak House, has
been a rich and rewarding experience for this
observer. More than that, it’s been a
revelation. I say this, not as a star-struck fan, but
as a veteran of the stage, who can experience and
appreciate your artistry in ways and for reasons that
may elude the casual viewer. What’s more, my
wife, who also loves theatre and recognizes quality
(she chose me), shares these sentiments.
...............................................................................
The
two of us never tire of savouring and discussing your
work on the X-Files series
(which we’ve taped virtually in it’s
entirety). The depth and emotional range you brought
to the role of Dana Scully, the intelligence, the
passion, the wit, the subtlety, the amazing restraint
and sense of proportion you exercised in working the
character’s stops and making her real: these
were just some of the qualities that made, and
continue to make, this person so compelling to watch
and re-discover.
(And
did I mention the humour? There's that priceless
scene in Vegas, when Scully’s higher brain
functions have been temporarily erased—the one
and only time we ever see the sober, ultra-sensible
agent become goofy and intoxicated—is a comic
masterpiece! My wife and I go into spasms of delight
every time we watch it. Your penchant for comedy may
be one of your best kept secrets.)
What
impresses us the most is watching Scully’s
growth, and Gillian’s, over a nine-year period.
She is a living textbook in long-term character
development. Nothing about the character is ever
forced, pretentious or overdone. It is/was a
portrayal distinguished as much by what you held back
as by what you unveiled. And that, in my book, is a
mark of greatness. Anyone who might have thought you
were wasted on that show, or who failed to appreciate
the extraordinary artistry you brought to your role,
missed “The Truth” altogether.
And yet, much as I value your work on the series, I
do understand how important it is for you, as a
serious actress, to put Scully behind you and move on
to more challenging and/or diverse assignments..................................................................................
(Thankfully,
you had begun doing that even before the series
concluded.) Any viewer with eyes could see that you
had more to offer than this one television role,
albeit exceptional, could possibly offer you. I
admire you for having the artistic chutzpah to expand
your repertoire, rather than allowing yourself to be
seduced by popularity, or by the security of another
long-term commitment on American prime time.
I've
recently watched House of Mirth again, perhaps for
the fifth or sixth time. It’s a film that
continues to grow on me everytime I see it. The life
you bring to the role of Lily Bart so infects this
viewer from the moment you first appear on screen,
and keeps him riveted until the very last frame(s) of
the movie. Your performance is deep, intoxicating,
exquisitely nuanced, a joy to savor. And it haunts me
long after the film has ended. Of all the excellent
work I’ve seen you do outside The
X-Files, I must tell you that House
of Mirth (2000) and Bleak
House (2005) represent what I
believe to be your two most significant achievements
to date.
...Which
brings me to topic of Lady Dedlock. I’ve neither
the space nor the eloquence to critique your
performance in Bleak House.
Suffice it to say, it exceeded all expectations.
Whether or not critics and audiences, or your
colleagues in the industry, will eventually
acknowledge you as one of THE leading actresses of
your day, only time will tell. You are still young,
and there are so many rewarding places your talent
has yet to take you. “Greatness” is not a
term to be tossed around thoughtlessly. However, on
the strength of what I have seen of you thus far, I
do feel that there is greatness in you. And if any
one experience could have driven that conviction home
for me, it was savoring your performance as Lady
Dedlock.
. ...........
I
hope you won’t grow weary of strangers like me
praising your talents. The ability to move and
entertain people worlds away, whom you have never
met—to touch, to inspire, to enrich their lives
in such a personal way—is truly a gift, and a
privilege. Whatever you do, please don’t ever
take that gift lightly. Nor cease striving for the
caliber of excellence you brought to House of Mirth
and Bleak House. I realize that standout,
high-quality showpieces like these may be rare and
difficult to land, what with the blizzard of
mediocrity circulating through the entertainment
industry today. However, I want to believe that the
exceptional parts are “out there.” And that
you, being the exceptional actress you’ve shown
yourself to be, will recognize them when you spot
them, and make them your own.
........... ..................... ............
My
only complaint is there haven't been nearly enough
opportunities to view your work. Your films are
spaced too far apart, and not every film you've done
lately made the best use of your talents. Still, in
nearly every dramatic incaration we’ve witnessed
thus far, including some less prominent roles, we
discover yet another facet of your talent. Not to
mention the fact that some of your best work has
probably been on the British stage, which leaves
people like me out of the loop.
 ..................................
There
are so many great classical and literary heroines
I’d love to see you portray. How would you feel
about tackling the Bard someday? I think you would be
smashing as Lady MacBeth. Or Gertrude in Hamlet.
Or Kate in Taming of the Shrew.
How about one of Chekhov's plays? I’m thinking:
Masha in The Three Sisters—although
you’re the only actress who, depending on the
relative ages of the cast, has the range and
versatility to play any of the sisters, AND be
convincing. What say you to Tennessee Williams? Have
you considered playing Maggie in Cat?
Or Blanche in Streetcar?
....
I
can't tell you how excited I was to learn that you'd
be be playing Nora in A Doll's
House this Spring. I think
she's a perfect vehicle for you. Unfortunately,
there's no way I can afford to see that production.
Not unless I hijack a plane to London and sneak in
through the backstage door of the theater.
So,
for the sake of us poor, theatre-loving blokes here
in the Colonies (and elsewhere) who cannot come to
you, I'd like to propose the following:
Might it be possible for you,
in future, to bring your stage work here to us? By
that I mean, could you arrange (work it into your
contract) to have your live performances from hereon
recorded for posterity, marketed, AND distributed in
a DVD format that is compatible with the playback
technology in North America? It was years before your
film, The Mighty Celt,
was finally released here in the States. Were it not
for the furor of excitement over the new X-Files
II movie, which was due out
around the same time, commericial interest in Celt
would probably have remained dormant, and fans on
this side of the ocean might never had the
opportunity to see you in this little gem..
...
Please
know that my purpose in writing you is not to
flatter, but to encourage you in your career. In an
age when so many second rate entertainers are
remembered mainly for the wealth and popularity they
grab for themselves, I say that you, Ms. Gillian,
will be the more highly regarded for the richness
your acting has brought to others. It is most
critical, therefore, what types of acting assignments
you accept or decline from hereon, more so than for
an artist without your capabilities. Yours is a
career “less ordinary.” I prithee, choose
your roles wisely.
It’s been a pleasure, and
an adventure, making your acquaintance. Here’s
wishing you the best in all your endeavors.
......Bravissima!...................................................................................................................................................................
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